Of Mice And Men American Dream

Of Mice And Men American Dream The American Dream is presented as being unattainable in John Steinbecks novel, Of Mice and Men. This is predominantly evident in the case of George, Lennie, Candy, Crooks and Curleys wife. All of these characters admit to fantasising about the American Dream; untarnished happiness and the freedom to pursue their dreams. George and Lennies dream of owning land is unattainable as a result of Lennies careless actions caused by his ignorance of his physical strength. George constantly cautions Lennie not to retaliate if harassed. However, George knew it was inevitable that Lennie would act carelessly, thus endanger their dream. This is evident when George realises that Lennie has murdered Curleys wife: -I think I knowed from the very first. I think I knowed wed never do her. He usta like to hear about it so much I got to thinking maybe we would (Steinbeck, 2006, p.107). This portrays the doubt and uncertainty George had regarding his dream and the fact that he would never be successful in owning land. The American Dream, for George and Lennie, was unattainable due to Lennies careless actions that caused George to murder Lennie and, consequently eradicated their dream. Candys dream of owning land with companions to avoid becoming solitary, with the assistance of George and Lennie, was shattered when George murdered Lennie. Unlike George, Candy believed that the American Dream was within his reach from the initiation of the plan. However, after George murdered Lennie, all hope was lost. This is evident when Candy sceptically asked George if he still has the intention to purchase the land after slaughtering Lennie: Then-its all off? Candy asked sulkily. George didnt answer his question. George said, Ill work my month an Ill take my fifty bucks an Ill stay all night in some lousy cat house. Or Ill set in some poolroom til everbody goes home. An then Ill come back an work another month an Ill have fifty bucks more. (Steinbeck, 2006, p.107). Georges response to Candys question indirectly implies that George has resigned his. George has given up, making him and Candy no different to those people who waste their time and money in brothels for futile amusements as a result of lonely misery. Crooks views the American Dream as an unachievable objective. The visualisation of owning land and becoming self-sufficient was a modest ask, however, for many this was impossible because of the depression that occurred in 1937. Crooks states that he has heard numerous people have the same dream, however, never acquire a piece of land. For example, when Crooks strongly opposes the idea of Lennie and George reaching their dream, owning land: Youre nuts. Crooks was scornful. I seen hunderds of men come by on the road an on the ranches, with their bindles on their back an that same damn thing in their heads. Hunderds of them. They come, an they quit an go on; an every damn one of ems got a little piece of land in his head. An never a God damn one of em ever gets it. Just like heaven. Everbody wants a little piece of lan. I read plenty of books out here. Nobody never gets to heaven, and nobody gets no land. Its just in their head. Theyre all the time talkin about it, but its jus in their head. (Steinbeck, 2006, p.83-84). This is one of the most powerful messages in the novel illustrating that the American Dream is unattainable. George and Lennie were never alone in the sense that every American has the dream of land in their minds, and every single person will result like every other, as they are all destined to fail. Crooks statement has reinforced Steinbecks intent on showing that the American Dream is unachievable. Curleys wife dream of becoming an actress in Hollywood is unfeasible for the reason that she has resigned herself to an unfulfilling marriage. She imagines how great it would be to stay in fancy hotels, own several elegant dresses and have people wanting to take her photograph. She desires friendship, fame and financial security though her dream differs from the dream of the men. Her marriage with Curley has restricted her from interacting with men and most importantly, accomplishing her dreams: [à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦] I cant talk to nobody but Curley[à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦] I coulda made somethin of myself [à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦] [Curleys wife] doesnt like Curley[à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦] Coulda been in the movies, an had nice clothes-all them nice clothes like they wear. An I coulda sat in them big hotels, an had pitchers took of me. (Steinbeck, 2006, p.98-100). From this it can be deduced that her marital relationship with Curley has made her lonely because she cannot interact with the ranch hands, only with Curley who is always working and, her standards of living would have improved if she had pursued her dream of becoming an actress. The American Dream of the freedom to pursue ones dreams is made unreachable for Curleys wife because she has married Curley depriving her of freedom to do so. In John Steinbecks novel, Of Mice and Men, the American Dream is presented as being unattainable for a number of characters. The dreams of the characters have been hindered by many factors that have made them unachievable. In Georges, Lennies, Candys case the American Dream was not possible as a result of Lennies ignorance and recklessness. Crooks views that the dream of owning land to be self-sufficient is the typical dream of an American worker, however, owning the land is impossible. Steinbeck is intent on showing that the American Dream is unattainable by providing the message that those who have the dream of untarnished happiness and the freedom to pursue their dreams will fail in brotherhood of desperation and disappointment.