What Is The American Dream In Of Mice And Men

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The American Dream is the ideal that every citizen of the United States should have the opportunity to achieve prosperity and success. In the 1930s, the time in which Of Mice and Men is set, this dream seems futile. John Steinbeck depicts a bleak outlook of the ability to achieve this American Dream throughout the novel. George and Lennie, the main characters, consistently discuss their dream for a better life throughout the story. “‘O.K. Someday- we’re gonna get the jack together and we’re gonna have a little house and a couple of acres an’ a cow and some pigs and-’ ‘An live off the fatta the lan’.’” (pg. 15) Both men dream of owning and operating their own farm together and frequently tell the story of this dream to reassure themselves that they’ll achieve it someday. Their dream of owning their own farm is far better than their reality as they’re migrant workers. …show more content…

Candy latches on to George and Lennie’s dream, making it seem possible since Candy had almost enough money in the bank to purchase land. The three men would only have to work for a month on the ranch to have enough money to pursue their dream. Curley’s wife dreams of being a movie star and Crooks allows himself to latch on to the fantasy of working on a farm with Candy, Lennie, and George. Their dreams are like the American Dream since they all want the freedom to pursue their own happiness, which is something they don’t have while working on the ranch. Dreaming is the only thing that keeps each character going since they have something to work for and to look forward to during a time as bleak as the

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