Of Mice and Men is a powerful depiction of life in rural California during the Great Depression. It captures the essence of the time through the experiences of the itinerant worker and their impermanent, isolated experiences (McNeill). John Steinbeck worked with the migrant workers during his teen years; he noted their dismal, disheartening existences revealed an unrelenting cynicism that stemmed from a dearth of realistic hopes and genuine prospects (McArthur). Steinbeck demonstrates the significance
Of Mice and Men is based on 1930's America during the Great Depression. The American dream was no more, and the land of opportunity had become the land of misfortune. It was during this time that many farmers best hope for a new life lay in California. The American Dream is the idea of an individual overcoming all obstacles and beating all odds to one day be successful. This subject is the predominant theme in John Steinbeck’s novel. This is a novel of defeated hope and the harsh reality
fellow traveller. This is the setting of John Steinbeck's, 'Of Mice and Men'. The novel explores the predatory nature of human existence. It explores loneliness, isolation and friendship. A major theme is that of the illusionary nature of 'Dreams'. In particular, 'The American Dream'. To paraphrase Robert Burns-"The best laid plans of mice and men go awry". This is a bleak statement and it is at the centre of the novel's action. George and Lennie have the dream of owning their own ranch and living
The American Dream is a fundamental theme in John Steinbeck's novel 'Of Mice and Men'. I will endeavor to examine how the theme is presented in the novel in order to determine why it is so important. Whilst exploiting the theme it will be imperative to consider the characters that hold this dream, I will focus on George and Lennie, the two central characters. In addition I will acknowledge the social and economic situation of the time, the Great Depression. The American Dream is an ideal
Of Mice and Men is a short novel about the story of two migrant workers who are best friends during the Great Depression (Goldhurst 49). The setting is the Salinas Valley in California, and the majority of the characters are unskilled migratory workers who do what their name implies. They travel from towns and ranches and farms looking for work and eventually move on to find another job. John Steinbeck puts the spotlight on two migratory workers who dream to finally settle down by saving money to
the American Dream to John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men The novella, 'Of Mice and Men' was written in 1937 in Salinas, California. It was written by John Steinbeck who himself was born in Salinas in 1902. Adjacent to the Salinas River, much of the town's commerce is centred upon shipping and agriculture and specifically vegetable farming. Early in the century many people were migrating to California, and many were trying to succeed in farming. One of Steinbeck's jobs
The American Dream in Of Mice and Men The American dream ideally constitutes life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as stated by America's forefathers in the Declaration of Independence. This vision has been extremely warped in the 20th century to fit the new breed of Americans, which are greedy and self-centered. The main characters opinions in the novel Of Mice and Men of The American Dream substantially differs from each other, and from today's society.
inclination of all men and women to dream. In John Steinbeck’s novel “Of Mice and Men,” the American dream is sought after by many different characters. However, the main theme in the story is how these dreams are unattainable, and how because of the Great Depression, all American dreams were dead. But what is the American dream? A unitary definition does not exist, however, the meaning of living the American dream is something that differs for everyone. For some people, the American dream might be acceptance
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck Steinbeck's career has ranged from novelist to journalist to playwright. He has been acclaimed for novels such as Of Mice and Men and The Grapes of Wrath. In novels such as these, aspects of Steinbeck's life history are evident. It is also seen that most of his novels focus around the same central theme "the relationship between man and his environment" (Draper 3373). The theme described is also demonstrated within the novel Of Mice and Men. Steinbeck's
The American Dream is something that many Americans, as well as people from all over the world, strive to accomplish. Although it has progressed over time, many people still want to grasp a hold of it. John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men and The Grapes of Wrath represent the struggle of migrant workers and the unrealistic concept of the American dream. Steinbeck illustrates the impossibility of the American Dream in the 1930s through George and Lennie in Of Mice and Men, and through the Joads in