Steinbeck s American Dream

Ashrafzadeh­Kian 1
Cyrus J. Ashrafzadeh­Kian
Mr. Rees
English 10
9 December 2013
Steinbeck’s American Dream
The American Dream is an idea sculpted over decades by the men and women who have shaped American culture and society. The dream itself is considerably different for each individual, depending on his/her views and desires. It is a promise to all that they will prosper if only they work diligently towards their respective goal. Still, the validity of the “Dream” is challenged by none other than one of the greatest writers of the 20th century. Author John
Steinbeck realistically portrays the struggles and challenges that often overwhelm his characters.
Their striving for the American Dream, more often than not, ends in an unexpected outcome.
Steinbeck’s take on the legitimacy of the Dream can be seen in one of his more renowned novels, Of Mice and Men. The two main characters (Lennie and George) have a shared fantasy to one day be the proud owners of a ranch, where they will be completely self­sustainable and independent. Essentially, the ranch would be their very own paradise. Both men wish for an immaculate happiness where they are free to do as they please. The American
Dream for them is summarized in Thomas Scarseth’s essay, A Teachable Book: Of Mice and
Men. He writes, “Theirs is the American Dream: that there is somehow, somewhere sometime, the possibility that we can make our Paradise on earth, that we can have our own self­sufficient little place where we can live off the fat of the land as peaceful friends” (Scarseth 2). Lennie and
George’s ambition for prosperity is what drives their actions and defines their motives towards that hopeful day of “livin off the fatta the lan” (Steinbeck 14) That being said, it’s not surprising

the two men did not let go
Ashrafzadeh­Kian 2 of their Dream as impossible as it may have seemed. Steinbeck stresses that in the reality we live in, one cannot hope for all of their dreams to come true. George realizes the futility of his attempts to reach the dream early on, but it is the only thing that binds the two men’s friendship and gives them motivation to live their lives out. Without the idea of their ranch, their aspiration to prosper, is reduced to nothing.Tragically, their perceptions of the plan conflict with each other and George has no choice but to end it all. His dream was never meant to be and he must start anew. Women in Steinbeck’s novels and short stories are of a curious nature. His female characters may seem shallow on the surface, but are indeed complex underneath. They all yearn for something more, whether it be a new romance to invigorate their lives or to just break the conformities of being a woman during that time period. One of these women, would include
Elisa in “The Chrysanthemums”. She is a farm wife many would say has it all and yet she craves for excitement. Her appetite for adventure can best be described in this quote from the story when she strikes up a conversation with the mysterious man named Tinker. “I wish women could do these things” (Steinbeck 7). Henry, her loving husband, provides for her and yet does not meet her amorous desires. Elisa has no children, hinting at an non­sexual or at least unsuccessful love life. Her American Dream is to fill her life with passion. Specifically, she needs not a man who loves her, but a man who can fulfill her romantic needs. Elisa, like other women during her time, has ambition to become something more than just a farm wife; she longs for independence and an exciting life outside the gardens she monotonously tends to every day. She attempts to break out her dreary life style by nearly having an affair with Tinker. Despite that, she doesn’t pursue and as the Steinbeck’s American Dream often does, Elisa is met with disappointment.

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To fully examine the true nature of the American Dream, it’s definition must be concluded. However, this is nearly impossible considering how it changes from person to person according to their own mindset. According to Merriam­Webster’s Dictionary, the Dream is an
“American social ideal that stresses egalitarianism and especially material prosperity”
(Merriam­Webster “American Dream”). The question to ask here is what makes the concept
American? The answer to this lies the aforementioned novel, Of Mice and Men. The saying, “all men are created equal” is rooted right in the Declaration of Independence and serves as an ethos to the United States. This American idea of equal opportunity for all, is what propels the two main characters through their adventure. However, when one is given the chance to succeed, one is also given the chance to fail. This bitter, depressing, and melancholic truth is the case for
Lennie and George. In fact, it may be the actual outcome for all who search to reach their personal “paradise.”
In conclusion, Steinbeck supports that through the endeavors his characters go through, each and every one of them has a dream upon which they grasp. Whether it be George and
Lennie with their farm or Elisa’s desire for romance, they persevere through their dilemmas looking for the light at the end of the tunnel. That light is nothing more but the hopes and wishes they struggle for each day. With this, they have the ability to attain their goals but also the possibility to crash and burn in a fire of failure. Readers must come to the realization that the bitter stable hand in Of Mice and Men, Crooks, was right. “Nobody never gets to heaven, and nobody gets no land. It’s just in their head. They’re all the time talkin’ about it, but it’s jus’ in their head” (Steinbeck 74). This is Steinbeck’s true interpretation of the American Dream and it

is nothing short of realistic; such paradises of freedom, contentment, and safety are not to be found in this world.

Ashrafzadeh­Kian 4 Works Cited

Thomas Scarseth, "A Teachable Good Book: Of Mice and Men," in Censored Books: Critical
Viewpoints, edited by Nicholas J. Karolides, Lee Burress, and John M. Kean, Scarecrow Press,
1993, pp. 388 – 94. Print.
Steinbeck, John. Of Mice and Men. New York: Penguin, 1993. Print.
Steinbeck, John. The Chrysanthemums. Logan, IA: Perfection Form, 1979. Print. "American Dream." Merriam­Webster. Merriam­Webster, n.d. Web. 14 Dec. 2013.
Kadlec, Dan. "Is the American Dream Withering or Just Changing?" Business Money Is the
American Dream Withering or Just Changing Comments. Time Magazine, 26 Sept. 2013. Web.
13 Dec. 2013.
Shillinglaw, Susan. "Of Mice And Men: Major Themes." Steinbeck Center. The Martha Heasley
Cox Center For Steinbeck Studies, n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2013.