Preview

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

Satisfactory Essays
Open Document
Open Document
411 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Essay On The American Dream In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men
There was a lot of examples of the American dream but consequently most of the time the dream did not happen for example Curley's wife, Lennie, and Candy. All of their dreams were killed, literally for two of them.

Lennie's American dream was to tend to his own rabbits, but that was spoiled. His dream was shattered because he was killed, he was killed because George his best friend killed him. Some people say he had to kill him and others say he shouldn't of killed him, George killed Lennie because Lennie killed Curley's wife but not on purpose but George killed lennie on purpose to make it so he wouldn't have to suffer to Curley shooting him in the guts.

Curleys wifes American dream was to be a famous actor. She met a guy at a dance and started to really want to be an actor but it never said anything about her trying to do this. Her dream didn't come true for a few reasons but the number one reason was Lennie killed her he did not kill her on purpose but he did kill her. Curley's wife was kind of hated around the bunkhouse on page 81 Crooks yelled at …show more content…
He took the opportunity and jumped in and offered to pay most of the barn as long as he could work, if he could tend to the garden and also do the house work. Candys American dream was depending on Lennie and George therefore if something bad happened to one of them then it probably wouldn't of come true, sadly for Candy Lennie killed Curley's wife but not on purpose after Lennie killed Curley's wife Candy's dream and Lennie's dreams both died because Lennie was killed and so was Candy's dream.

In Of Mice and Men there were a lot of examples of the American dream, and how those dreams did not happen there were other dreams to like crooks dream to play cards in the bunkhouse. For those examples those are the reasons why in Of Mice and Men there were American dreams and they were shot
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Better Essays

    Of Mice and Men Study Guide
    • 1628 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Of Mice and Men Study Guide

    -Lennie is large and very powerful, such as a bear or a dog. He also enjoys petting soft objects like fur and silk; he has a mental disability so he depends on George for the correct guidance; he will listen to anything George tells him to do. He is blameless and never does anything on purpose. Moreover, he is optimistic about the idea of one day owning a farm with George; his optimism convinces others, such as Candy, Crooks, and George, that the dream can become a possible reality. He holds on to the fact that he will get to tend the rabbits and feed them alfalfa on the farm. The dream is ultimately crushed when he kills Curley’s wife, and is chased out of the ranch by a mob who wants Lennie murdered. George ends up killing Lennie at the end of the story.…

    • 1628 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Comparing The Dream In John Steinbeck's 'Of Mice And Men'
    • 1309 Words
    • 6 Pages

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

    Everybody dreams, but not all dreams become reality. In John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, all the characters had dreams, however none of them came true for different reasons. George and Lennie’s dream was to someday own their own land, so they could have animals and farm crops. The next character who had a dream was Crooks. He wanted to be treated equally and own land as well. Finally, Curley’s wife wanted to become famous by being a movie star. Unfortunately, none of these characters fulfilled their dreams, because Steinbeck believed the American dream does not come true.…

    • 1309 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Comparing The American Dream In Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men
    • 564 Words
    • 3 Pages

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

    In John Steinbeck's Novella, “Of Mice and Men”, the author ties the American Dream into the text to show that many people had hope during the Great Depression.The story takes place in California, and is about two men named George and Lennie who are headed to their new jobs at a ranch. Once they are there, they meet many people and build relationships with them. While they are there, their version of, “The American Dream”, is always mentioned or thought about, that shows that they are hopeful for what they want, and it keeps them going in the story. Even though his life had been tough, Lennie was always staying positive and hopeful for the future. In the beginning of the story, Lennie gets upset, so he asks George to tell him about their dream…

    • 564 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Comparing The American Dream In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men
    • 4763 Words
    • 20 Pages

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

    The two friends George and Lennie dream of their own piece of land with a ranch, so they can "live off the fatta the lan'" and just enjoy a better life. But the symbolism shows this is futile due to the fact that it will never happen, and that they end up shooting Lennie in the back of the head, like Candy's dog. This shows that not everyone can achieve the American dream, thus proving by contradiction it is not possible. Although it is possible to achieve the American dream for few. A lot of people follow the American dream to achieve a greater chance of becoming rich. This was easier in the 1900's and now it is really hard to achieve the American dream because of all the competition and hard work required to achieve this…

    • 4763 Words
    • 20 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Comparing The American Dream In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men
    • 1137 Words
    • 5 Pages

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

    As technology and people have advanced, the American dream has progressed and has been altered from its true original form. The Legacy that once ruled America ended up with a modern twist. The American dream is that idea or not achievement that people make their life long gold. However, we may question how the American dream has been shaping American life styles. In the novel Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck portrays the American dream and how it has been altered throughout many years and also how some people never attain it.…

    • 1137 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Essay On Dreams In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men
    • 591 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Essay On Dreams In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

    Many people aspire for greatness in life; whether it’s being famous, or living the American dream, there is always more out there that people want. In the novel “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck, an unlikely pair of working men, Lennie Small and George Milton, go out in search of work and end up on a ranch. Some of the people that they meet at the ranch are Curley, Slim, Candy, Crooks, and Curley’s wife. The ranch is owned by Curley’s father, which causes trouble for the men because of Curley’s aggressive behavior towards them. Curley’s wife is unfulfilled and is always slinking around the barn and attempts to talk to the men working, which usually ends in failure. Curley’s wife has one similarity to Lennie and George. The three of them are missing out, or missed out on the chance for a better life and end up in a cycle of disappointment. Lennie and George share a dream of owning a house and raising animals on a ranch, while Curley’s wife fantasizes of the life that could have been. Unfortunately, all of their dreams fall short of coming true. 3 characters in the novel with bold ambitions that never come to fruition are George, Curley’s wife, and Lennie.…

    • 591 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Comparing The American Dream In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men
    • 1094 Words
    • 5 Pages

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

    For George and Lennie, their American dream was to live on a farm without a boss and have rabbits to play with, “’an’ live on the fatta the lan’”. Lennie always asks George to tell him how it will be one day. Lennie wants to hear about the time when they will leave the farm where they work and buy their own farm. That will be the day when they can be independent and live their American dream. George says that they will have strawberries and rabbits and their own little house to live in without rules or restrictions. George's and Lennie's dream is so appealing that Candy and Crooks want to join George's and Lennie's dream of owning their own farm because they think that George and Lennie are close to reaching that dream. George's and Lennie's dream appeals to Candy and Crooks because it is everything that they also want to have and have never achieved. However, perhaps this dream only appeals to them because they see it as something that will be reached soon. Candy and Crooks want to be able to live out the American dream even if it is someone else's. I believe that George and Lennie would have achieved their American dream if Lennie had not been killed. Later on, Lennie thought of more appealing things for their dream, he thought about building a little house, like his grandpa’s old house, “I could build a small house like the one gran’pa had”. Also he adds about having pidgeons, and letting them fly around, “ An’ we’d keep a few pigeons to go flyin’ around the win’mill like they done when I was a…

    • 1094 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Comparing The American Dream In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men
    • 719 Words
    • 3 Pages

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

    The American dream is something that all Americans try to achieve. Sometimes, the American dream cannot be achieved because of what you are in life. The dream is also attainable for people who are in a position for power. Of mice and men has shown us how the American dream can be possible for anyone, how it excludes some people from achieving that dream, and how people in a possession in power have a better chance of achieving the dream.…

    • 719 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Comparing The American Dream In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men
    • 1363 Words
    • 6 Pages

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

    Curley’s wife does not have the opportunity to become an actress and a model in Hollywood. She had access to a power-- a reporter in Hollywood-- but the letter he promised her never came, so she had to settle for a low marriage with Curley. Curley’s wife also was discriminated by gender, meaning she did not have the same opportunities as men during this time. George and Lennie had all the resources to buy the ranch they wanted-- money from Candy, their $50 payment at the end of each month, and the land they had picked out-- but they did not have any influence or power. Instead of powerlessness disheartening them, George and Lennie use that as a driving force to keep them alive and going. The story that George tells keeps their hopes up lets them dream about the ranch that they could buy, but the dream dies when Lennie kills Curley’s wife, and George is forced to shoot Lennie. Finally, Crooks is racially discriminated, showing how he is not allowed to sleep in the same room as the white men and tries to keep white men away from his room in the barn. Although he was born into a family of landowners and he had white friends, there was discrimination as he grew up, and ended up working for white people. Although Crooks wishes to be free, there is an unovercomeable barrier that the white workers have over him--race. Crooks does not have any access to power because he is black, meaning that he would not…

    • 1363 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Of Mice And Men Quote Analysis
    • 789 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Of Mice And Men Quote Analysis

    Adams indicates, “Each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position.” Earlier in the novel, the impossibility of their shared dream is recognized when they were banned from the previous ranch because Lennie suspected Lennie had raped a girl in the farm. Their goal is jeopardized because of Lennie’s disability to comprehend like an ordinary person. An accident like this is repeated at the new farm when Lennie accidently kills Curley’s wife by breaking her neck. George then realizes that his dreams cannot be accomplished because of Lennie, which causes him to shoot Lennie to death. George has to face the brutal reality and kill his best friend because there’s no other choice to make in this predicament. Differing from Lennie, Curley’s wife dreamed of experiencing life for herself. “Coulda been in the movies, an’ had nice clothes- all them nice clothes like they wear.” As presented she portrays the American Dream as being wealthy with luxurious designer clothes. Instead now she sees herself as a prisoner in her own home. When she was younger she wanted to become a famous actress on a television show. But when she married Curly her life took a toll in the wrong direction. Her marriage disintegrated her dreams and all that was left was a husband who didn’t love…

    • 789 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Power Of A Dream In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men
    • 468 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The Power Of A Dream In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

    Always have a dream, nobody can tell you how to live your life. Curley’s wife lost her dream and she lives an unhappy life. George and Lennie have a dream that gives them a reason to keep living and working as they do. George and Lennie’s dream is so powerful that it draws in all who hear it. Dreams have the power to change lives by giving hope.…

    • 468 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    A Dream In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men
    • 735 Words
    • 3 Pages

    A Dream In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

    All four characters have aspirations that affect them throughout the book. George, Lennie, and Candy are all motivated by their hope for the future, they constantly work towards their dream; however, Curley’s wife lived her life wishing that she would’ve pursued her dreams. The idea of having their own land excites Lennie very much. He dreams of taking care of the rabbits and other animals. George hopes this dream comes true so that he can lead a "better"…

    • 735 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Theme Of The American Dream In Of Mice And Men
    • 156 Words
    • 1 Page

    Theme Of The American Dream In Of Mice And Men

    The American dream is “ the ideal that every US citizen should have an equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination, and initiative.” (from google). In the novel Of mice and men by John Steinbeck, George and Lennie have the American dream of owning their own farm. The american dream is a constant theme of hope that motivates George and Lennie. Throughout the novel, the idea of the American dream is brought up as an end goal.…

    • 156 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Essay About The American Dream In Of Mice And Men
    • 590 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Essay About The American Dream In Of Mice And Men

    Was the American Dream really designed for everyone? The American Dream was known as something everyone aspired to. In the novel Of Mice and Men, author John Steinbeck sets the book in California, near the Soledad River. Steinbeck uses several characters as a way to spark different perspectives in the novel.…

    • 590 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Of Mice and Men and A Raisin in the Sun: The American Dream
    • 430 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Of Mice and Men and A Raisin in the Sun: The American Dream

    Thesis: The novel Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck and the play A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry show that there is great struggle in reaching The American Dream.…

    • 430 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More