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

The American Dream is the dream of many people living and immigrating to America. Everyone has his or her own personal dream, but not everyone can attain the American Dream. There are a lot of different reasons as to why the dream cannot be attained. An example of this is can be found in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men. George, Lennie, and Candy have obstacles in their way that was keeping them from attaining the American Dream. George, Lennie, and Candy have their own personal goals. George’s goal is to have independence: he wants to get away from Lennie. Lennie’s dream is to pet the rabbits. Candy’s dream is to be able to work somewhere where he is not discriminated against for only having one hand. Candy states,
I ain’t much good with on’y one hand I ain’t much good with one hand. I lost my hand right here on this ranch. That’s why they give me a job swampin’. (Steinbeck 59)
He just wants a job where he is accepted. He wants a job that is earned and not a job that he is given. Since he is
This backs up the idea that the dream is unattainable, previously stated in the intro. Lennie kills the puppy while George is playing horseshoes. Curley’s wife came in, Lennie pet her hair, she pulled away, he clenched on and Curley’s wife screamed. Lennie put his hand over her mouth because she was screaming. He shook her head and snapped her neck. Now Lennie’s dream is even more unattainable because he killed Curley’s wife. Candy finds the body, but does not find Lennie. Candy says “He’s such a nice fella. I didn’ think he’d do nothing like this” (Steinbeck 95). George’s response is, “Lennie never done it in meanness” (Steinbeck 95). The two are saying that Lennie cannot control how strong he is due to his mental disabilities Lennie needs George with him to be able to know right from wrong. He needs George to help him achieve his dream. This means George’s dream is