Dreams In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

Dreams and the nature of them is a prominent theme within Steinbeck's novel 'Of Mice and Men’. The theme is constantly expressed throughout the novel and clearly presented through the Characters George and Lennie, Curly’s wife and Crooks who all share versions the 'American Dream'. The 'American Dream' is presented as being unattainable and the forces that work against the aspirations are explored. Many of these concepts within the content can be adapted and applied as they are true to real life experiences.
George and Lennie
George and Lennie share a dream of their preferred life, a life separate from the trap of ranch work. For George the freedom aspect is at the pinnacle of his aspirations, whereas Lennie is predominately fixated upon the prospect of living happily amongst the rabbits that he overwhelmingly hopes to tend. Lennie and George are dedicated to a life of hard work for wealthy men, however, they would prefer to be the sole beneficiaries of their hard labour, “It’d be our own, an' nobody could can us. If we don't like a guy, we can say, 'Get the hell out'…An' if a fren' come along, why we'd have an extra

This is evident when Crooks responses cynically to George and Lennie's dream, he says, "Nobody never gets to heaven and nobody gets no land," (Steinbeck, 1937, p73.). Essentially, Crooks dreams of being accepted and equal to the people around him. He lives an unpleasant isolated life, the only company he has are his books but he also expresses his need for company clearly, “books ain’t no good. A guy needs somebody - to be near him”, (Steinbeck, 2006, p.72). Steinbeck utilises Crooks dream to represent the outcast or disadvantaged members of society and expresses that people who are lonely have most need of dreams to help them through, even if it is unlikely to become reality, It’s the hopeful nature of dreams that can help us live through life’s hardships in hopes of a better