Of Romance Vs. Reality In John Steinbeck's 'Of Mice And Men'

Romance Versus Reality “The best laid schemes of mice and men go aft astray, and leave us naught by grief and pain for promised joy…” (Robert Burns). This quote means that the romantic themes in the book vanish and leave behind realistic shock. In “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck, Lennie, George and Curley’s wife’s romantic dream of owning a farm is crushed by the reality of death. The dead mouse symbolizes that Lennie’s dream of taking care of rabbits will never come true. The dead puppy also proves he will never own the rabbits. Curley’s wife’s death again proves they will never get the farm because they won’t get the money she promised. Finally, Lennie’s death makes George realize the farm house dream would never come true. The mouse Lennie hides in his pocket from George, proves the point that Lennie will never take care of the rabbits. Lennie tries to convince George, the mouse was dead when he found it, “’Jus’ a dead
She wanted to make something out of her life, “’ I coulda make somethin’ of myself…maybe I will yet.’” (Steinbeck 96). Curley’s wife gave up her life savings to help buy the farm, but never her death they would never get the money. Her death foreshadows that the romance of the farm will die causing the reality that they will never own the farm. Lennie’s death shows George that the farm could have never happened. George realized he wanted the farm only because Lennie loved the idea of it. Deep down George never thought they would ever get the farm. “’I think I knowed we’d never do her. He…liked to hear about it…I got to thinking maybe we would.’” (Steinbeck 103). George only told the story to trick Lennie into following his rules. George listened to his stories of the farm, and obeyed him, because he did if he did not listen, he would not take care of the rabbits. Due to Lennie’s death, George no longer needs to dream of the farm