The Dreams Of Mice and Men

Dreams, even those that are unrealistic, encompass and motivate everyone. In the novella Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck each main characters possess their own dream to propel them forward and each of these dreams are cleverly utilized by Steinbeck to present his theme of the great depression ripping dreams asunder. In order to determine whether the major dreams were destroyed, one must analyze what each dream was, the realistic possibilities, the motivation for each and the opposing forces. George and Lennie’s dream of a future life seems quite possible as they are motivated and are close to their goal; however upon closer inspection it the impossibility of their quest is discovered. The second major dream Curley’s wife’s dream is presented as a failure and after investigation the reader comprehends why. Thus, each of the important dreams feature senses of reality due to their necessity to the character, but are easily suspended as the characters continue their path in life.

Protagonist George and antagonist Lennie share a powerful friendship formed when they were children who played together, and at the center of this friendship is a dream. Their dream is created due to their yearn for their own place, something which Crooks, the stable boy, points out as “Never seen it before” (Steinbeck 62) despite his years of working on farms. Their wish for a new home, their own, also spurns from their despise of not being dependent on someone for an occupation, as they would rather be their own boss, as George says, “An’ no one will tell us what to do” (Steinbeck 81).However, this dream is necessary to both of them even more as it would become a sanctuary for Lennie, the main character who due to mental retardation is unable to cop...

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...akes her life. Up to that point she continually attempted to find success as she has nothing else to do and she abhors her current surroundings. Thus, Curley’s wife’s dream becomes unrealistic as in the process of attaining success she lands herself in a situation quite opposite of her goal.

Overall, Steinbeck presents several dreams from various characters in order to portray how dreams are ripped asunder. Through the story the reader followed main characters George and Lennie, as well as Curley’s wife’s dream through the novella and understood that “even the best-laid schemes o’ mice an’ men gang aft agley.” (Burns Corporation)

Works Cited

Alexandra Burns Corporation. "To a Mouse - A Poem by Robert Burns." Robert Burns Poem -"To a Mouse" Toucher Design, n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2014.

Steinbeck, John. Of Mice and Men. New York: Penguin, 1993. Print.