Comparing The American Dream In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

During one of the worst times in American history known as the Great Depression, the only source of hope for people was the American dream. The Great Depression was a time of unemployment and poverty during the 1930’s. Many migrant workers, like George and Lennie the main characters of Of Mice And Men by John Steinbeck, moved to California in search of work. The only source of happiness for many of the characters, like Lennie, Crooks, and Candy, was their dream. In Of Mice And Men, The American dream provides hope for a variety of characters throughout the book. One example is one of the main characters, Lennie. Lennie’s dream is to “tend to the rabbits” on the farm that his friend, George, and him were going to buy. Lennie’s dream influences him to be on his best behavior. “Oh!

He ain’t gonna let me tend no rabbits.”(91) This quote shows how concerned Lennie is when he does something bad because he knows that George is not going to let him tend to the rabbits. Another person that is positively influenced by their American dream is a character known as Crooks. Crooks is an African American character that is rarely spoken to and is called Crooks because of his crooked back. Crooks only had his dream for a short time, but when Lennie was talking about the farm he and George are going to get, Crooks wants to help do work. “ If you… guys would want a hand to work for nothing- just his keep, why I’d come an’ lend a hand. I ain’t so crippled I can’t work like a son-of-a-bitch if I want to.”(76) When Crooks says this, it is the one time in the book Crooks sounds hopeful. One more person that is positively influenced by their dream was Candy. Candy was old and had little left to live for, but buying the farm with George and Lennie kept him motivated. “You an’ me can get that little place, can’t