Hundreds of years ago, Europeans set sail from Europe to the New World, with the hope of bettering their lives, also known as the American Dream. The story, Of Mice and Men, written by John Steinbeck, explores the American Dream through two unlikely friends, George and Lennie. The two friends journey to a ranch near the city of Soledad, California to work on earning enough money to buy their own farm. Lennie is a big, strong man, while George is small, and smart. The two of them are running from the law because Lennie always accidentally runs into trouble. John Steinbeck, explores the failure of the American Dream through the characters George and Lennie, Crooks, and Candy. George and Lennie both share the same dream of owning their own ranch. About halfway through the story, George tells Lennie all about their dream ranch, where Lennie will tend to rabbits, live in their own …show more content…
When he heard about George and Lennie’s dream, he quickly latched onto their dream and offered to pay for at least half of the ranch. Candy suddenly becomes upbeat and cheerful, not knowing he has a future (p.59-61). Candy has gotten this taste of the American Dream, and he is looking forward to his new life. Candy figures out more about how they can have rabbits and profit (p.75). Candy is very much in love with the idea of the ranch, it is all he has left to live for. Then at the end of the story when George leaves to go find Lennie, the whole world crashes down on Candy, “You God damn tramp, he said viciously. You done it, di’n’t you? I s’pose you’re glad. Ever’body knowed you’d mess things up. You wasn’t no good. You ain’t no good now [...] I could of hoed in the garden and washed dishes for them guys” (p.95-96). Candy was crying, he realizes that he was going to die alone and without anyone caring about him. The American Dream died almost as soon as it came into Candy’s
In the novella Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, Steinbeck illustrates the dreams of George,Lennie, and other characters and how these dreams are unrealistic and unattainable .Their dreams were the reason that these characters kept moving forward but because of difficult circumstances the dreams of George,Lennie,Candy and Curley's wife are shattered , they knew that their dream was never really attainable but they still had hope but because they were so greatly impacted by Lennies actions their dreams are never accomplished.
Steinbeck describes Candy right after the men hear the shot that kills the dog. Candy's loneliness over the loss of his dog is short lived as he becomes part of George's and Lennie's plan to get their own farm. In fact, Candy makes the dream seem almost possible because he has saved $300 which he will contribute to the price of the property George can buy. The three men believe that one day they will up and leave the ranch and go live on their own "little piece of land." In the end, however, Candy is plunged back into despair and loneliness after he discovers Lennie has killed Curley's wife. The dream is shattered. He poignantly communicates his feelings over the loss at the end of chapter five: “You done it, di’n’t you? I s’pose you’re glad. Ever’body knowed you’d mess things up. You wasn’t no good. You ain’t no good now, you lousy tart.” He sniveled, and his voice shook. “I could of hoed in the garden and washed dishes for them guys.” He paused, and then went on in a singsong. And he repeated the old words: “If they was a circus or a baseball game .
Candy shows great spirit throughout the book and really shows off the good aspects of the American Dream. It is only until the end of the book until the plan to go away starts to be questioned. He starts asking questions like ”You an’ me can get that little place cant we, George?”(Steinbeck,94) This denial was once again recognized by Kevin Attell, who said “George and Lennie’s dream is specifically necessitated by and responds to the limitations played on their lives. ”(Attell)
The American Dream is what everyone so desperately desired for in the 1930’s. Many come to America for the American Dream, to be successful, have freedom, and support their families by the better opportunities given. In Of Mice and Men the movie the setting sets in the 1930’s where Lennie and George become farm workers for Curley’s dad. Working in these conditions in the 1930’s must of been difficult as shown in the movie when Lennie and George face problems in their journey together. What’s your American Dream?
The dream of owning a farm and "living off the fatta the land" originally started as a story just to keep Lennie quiet but because of Lennie constantly asking George to tell him the story kept the dream alive. One time in the bunkhouse, George was re -telling this story when candy overheard it. Candy fears that because he is getting old and has one crippled hand that any day soon he is going to be asked to leave...
George and Lennie have to continue to move around the country looking for work until Lennie screws up again. The instability of work only makes it that much harder for them to complete their dream of a farm of their own. Candy’s participation in the dream of the farm upgrades the dream into a possible reality. As the tending of rabbits comes closer to happening fate curses them with the accidental death of Curley’s wife. The end of their wishful thinking is summed up by Candy’s question on page 104, “Then-it’s all off?”
George and Lennie live in a hopeless present but they somehow try to keep a foot in an idealized future. They dream of one day running their own ranch, safe and answerable to no one. Others such as Curley's wife dreams of being a movie star, Crooks, of hoeing his own patch and Candy's couple of acres'.The dream ends with the death of Lennie.
With racism is would go far beyond the book as to why some people might not live the American dream, it could be jobs that people won’t hire you for because of your race, or you are too young to do something so until you get that age you can’t do it. All the American dreams that the characters had were not affected by just one ism, they were affected by two or three; meaning that no one is singular when it comes to things that affect them. And with all the isms piling up it just became too much and their dream just ultimately failed, and they were left with nothing. In the novel Steinbeck writes a dialogue for Candy and it explains all the hope the characters had for the American dream. “Sure they all want it. Everybody wants a little bit of land, not much. Jus’ som’ thin’ that was his. Somethin’ he could live on and there couldn’t nobody throw him off of it” (76). That is what the American dream is all about, though it didn’t go right and the isms just destroyed all the characters and dreams in the end. It means that the people aren’t the reason to blame for the failure of their dream, it is the born traits they inherited that ultimately destroyed all the characters American dreams. drastically personality repercussions
George and Lennie, Curley’s wife, and Crooks the stable buck all have an American Dream and through them and their dreams, Steinbeck shows that the American Dream can or cannot be achieved with the amount of dedication and motivation you put into the dream. Even though George and Lennie, Curley’s wife and Crooks all have dreams they are all at different points of achieving that dream, if they are even trying.
Candy was drawn to the dream when Lennie and George were talking about it. Candy wants to go because he thinks it would be better than staying at the ranch. “If you guys want a hand for work for nothing” ( 76). Crooks was drawn to this dream since he thinks it would help make his life better than the life he lives on the ranch. “It’s a lot nicer to go around with guys you know” ( 37). It is good to have a small group of friends working towards the same
George and Lennie have a dream, even before they arrive at their new job on the ranch, to make enough money to live “off the fatta the land” and be their own bosses. Lennie will then be permitted to tend the rabbits. Candy, upon hearing about the dream, wants to join them so that he will not be left alone, especially after they killed his dog. From the 17th Century, when the first settlers arrived, immigrants dreamed of a better life in America. People went there to escape from persecution or poverty, and to make a new life for themselves.
Candy didn't have anything so he wanted grow old on the ranch with George and Lennie (pg59-60) but then Lennie kills Curly's Wife and his dream dies (pg.94). Candy's dreams end in a pessimistic outlook because all he wanted got destroyed leaving him with nothing. Crooks dream was to be respected and not looked at for his color and wanted to live on the ranch with Curly Lennie and George (pg.64). Even though he wanted this he noticed by what Curly's wife said to him that his dream will never be achieved, so he changes his mind (pg.
Candy confesses that he is going to get fired soon because he's too old and that the men believe that when you grow old, "You’re no good to himself nor nobody else" (60). Another character that illustrates cruelty is Crooks, an isolated character. Crooks remembers his past, rather than preparing for his future. His longing for freedom and equality is shown when Crooks bitterly tells Lennie, “S'pose you didn't have nobody, a guy needs somebody – to be near him. . .a
In the novel Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck shows American dream as an unreachable goal for the characters. Of Mice and Men is a novel based on two childhood friends, Lennie and George, who travel together in search of work. Lennie, the gentle giant, has a mental disability and an obsession of petting soft objects. One day, while stroking a girl’s hair, Lennie accidently kills her. And eventually by the end of the novel, George is forced to shoot Lennie. Steinbeck shows American Dream as an unreachable goal because of a character’s standing in the society, their dreams to be unreal and their dependency on other characters.
Candy dealt with his loneliness by being friendly with George and Lennie and becoming a partner in obtaining the small ranch that was George and Lennie’s dream. Candy kind of an outcast because of his age difference from other ranch hands. “I could cook and tend the chickens and hoe the garden some”(Candy 319). Candy attempts to be useful in someone else life. He heard that George and Lennie have this dream to “live off the fat of the land” as soon as they get enough money. Candy wanted to join, he offered as much as he can. He wanted to join the dream but not only did he want to join, he wanted to join the friendship of George and Lennie. “Maybe I can give you guys money”(Candy 325). Candy offered his money that he gets from the government for his disability. An exchange for money Candy gets a friendship out of it. So he is paying George and Lennie to be friends with him really. I think money will never buy a real friendship. Not only was Candy lonely and miserable trying to deal with loneliness, but so was Crooks...