The Struggle for Happiness in John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men

Of Mice And Men: The Struggle for Happiness

In the novel Of Mice And Men, John Steinbeck illustrates the possibilities that life has and its effects on Lennie, Crooks and George. It shows a view of two outsiders struggling to understand their own unique places in the world. Steinbeck suggests humans have the natural potential to seek happiness although the potential can be fatal or harmful.

Although Lennie does not have the potential to be smart, Lennie has the potential to be a hard worker. However, Lennie's strength did not work with him and the result was fatal. Lennie is an extremely large man who had the strength of a bull. With the use of his strength, he was great worker but did not understand how strong he was. George explains Lennie's strength by "that big bastard can put up more grain alone than most pairs can". Through his size and his enormous amount of strength Lennie could out work the other men of the ranch by himself. Lennie uses his abilities to work hard, but does not understand how strong he is.

Without George, Lennie does not understand what to do. Lennie gets frightened and uses his strength to hold on to objects. Lennie is just like a child. He will do what ever George tells him to: "Curley was flopping like a fish on a line, and his closed fist was lost in Lennie's hand. George slapped [Lennie] in the face again and again and still Lennie held on. Through Lennie's actions we can see that Lennie is very similar to a child. Lennie's first instinct when he is scared is to hold on. Just as a little kid holds on to its mum or dad when they become frightened, Lennie holds on to objects. As of Lennie's low intelligence to understand his strength, he bec...

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...ises that the potential to be his own boss is lost. Candy says: " 'You an' me can get that little place, can't we George?'… Candy dropped his head and looked down at the hay. He knew". Now that Lennie has broken Curley's wife's neck, George realises that his possibility of being his own boss is gone. Without Lennie, George feels there is no hope. As a result the potential to be his own boss is lost. George has a great potential to be his own boss, but with the death of Lennie, George loses hope. George has chosen his fate to be a worker and not to be his own boss.

Throughout the novel you can get an insight into what it is like to live those characters lives. The novel follows and represents the lives of Lennie, Crooks and George and what they go through to survive. John Steinbeck portrayed these characters very well within following their dreams in life.