Crooks American Dream

In the novella, “Of Mice and Men,” by John Steinbeck there are multiple characters who all yearn for something. From protagonists to secondary characters, from dreams about being an actress to dreams to dying peacefully on one’s own land, there is a plethora of different personalities and fantasies. Although their goals are different, most of them revolve around the theme of earning the American Dream. George, Lennie, Candy, Curley’s wife and Crooks all possess a dream, that unfortunately never comes true.
George, a character that portrays a more independent demeanor, hopes to live a life full of freedom -- full of new opportunities. George fantasizes a life where he is not always under someone else’s rein. He wishes to live the “American
He received the named Crooks on account of him having a crook in his back caused by a horse kicking him. Unlike the other farm hands that work on the ranch, Crooks is discriminated against, seeing that he is the only black individual on the ranch. Crooks is seen as a lesser person than anyone else on the ranch, therefore, he is outcasted and forced to stay in a small shed while everyone else gets to stay in the bunk house. Crook’s “American Dream” is, to be seen as equal to everyone else on the ranch, and ultimately everyone in society. Crook’s becomes bitter due his loneliness, but later becomes thrilled when Lennie and Candy come and conversate with him in his room. The conversation between them consists on Lennie explaining how Candy, George and him are going to earn enough money to buy their own ranch. At first, Crooks is skeptical about what Lennie is stating, due to there being hundreds of men that dream of the same thing, but are ultimately unsuccessful in achieving it. However, when Candy reveals to Crooks that they almost have enough money, and that George has the land picked out, he becomes interested. Crooks states, “...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). This exemplifies that Crook’s Dream could come true, and he could be apart of something. Unfortunately,
Each character clings onto the fact that one day, they will see their American Dream come true whether it be a better life for themselves obtaining an abundance of land, new freedoms, as well as a new perspective on how they view themselves. Unfortunately, the characters the audience grows to love in 107 pages never get to live any of their American