An Analysis Of Dreams In John Steinbeck's 'Of Mice And Men'

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“Do Dreams Really Come True?” Most people have a dream they work toward within their lifetime. It could be for a job, a relationship, or a new home. In the novel “Of Mice and Men” by, John Steinbeck, each character has their own dream. Steinbeck writes of a pair of family friend workers George Milton (“slim, smart, and sharp”) who takes care of Lennie Smalls (simple, friendly, and mentally challenged). Steinbeck follows their journey, looking for work in California during the 1930’s. Stock markets crashed, resulting in the Great Depression. Men relied on a fickle source of income. This resulted in moving from place to place for work. The novel shows, no matter how hard people try, they often fall short of reaching their dreams. During Curley’s wives’ time on the ranch she dreams of what her lonely life could have been like. One example of this is the following statement, “I lived right in Salinas” she said. Come there when I was a kid. Well, a show come through, an I met one of the actors. He says I could go with that show. But my ol’lady wouldn’ let me. She says because I was on’y fifteen. But the guy says I couda. If I’d went, I wouldn’t be livin’ like this, you bet.” (Steinbeck, 34). Curley’s wife yearns for an acting career, but that doesn't get her very far in the …show more content…

This is clear during the following conversation between George and Candy, “Then-it’s all off?” Candy asked sulkily… “I’ll work my month an’ I’ll take my fifty bucks an I’ll stay all night in some lousy cat house… an then I’ll work another month an I’ll have fifty bucks more. (Steinbeck, 79, 80). Lennie, while arguing with Curley's Wife yelled. Stating, “ Oh! Please don’t do none of that, George gonna say I done a bad thing. He ain’t gonna let me tend no rabbits.” (Steinbeck, 91). As many plans as George tries to make Lennie will never get to live at his dream

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