mice and men hopes and dreams essay

Of Mice and Men

John steinbeck, ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions.

The American Dream of every individual’s right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” has been ingrained within American society since the writing of the Declaration of Independence , when the phrase made its first appearance. George and Lennie ’s dream of working hard and saving enough money to buy their own farm and “live off the fatta the lan” symbolizes the concrete ways in which the American Dream serves as an idealized goal for poor and working-class Americans even in the darkest and hardest of times. Through Of Mice and Men , however, Steinbeck argues that while throughout American history—and especially during the Great Depression—the American Dream has at best been an illusion and at worst a trap, unattainable dreams are still necessary, in a way, to make life in America bearable.

The Great Depression represented the end of an era of the American Dream—the artistic and economic innovation and prosperity of the “Roaring Twenties” came to a short, decisive stop, and American society went into crisis mode. In the midst of this sudden shift, many felt like the rug had been pulled out from under them—this sentiment and perspective is echoed in George and Lennie’s insistence on pursuing their dream of a peaceful, sustainable life of ease and independence even as they are in the depths of an economic crisis which threatens not just their plans, but their very lives. Though little is known of George and Lennie’s background, it is clear that they grew up together in Auburn, a Gold Rush town that boomed in the late 1800s but suffered by the 1920s as gold prices dropped. Families hoping to make their fortune in gold continued to flock to Auburn, and soon Auburn was overrun by people camping by the river, hoping to pan for gold in the water in light of the closed mines in town. George and Lennie, then, appear to be fleeing a town where there’s nothing left for them, chasing their own dream even as they shut out the knowledge that there are countless people like them—many in their very own hometown—pursuing dreams just as broken and hopeless as their own.

George and Lennie encounter hostility and calamity, it seems, nearly everywhere they go. In this way, Steinbeck portrays the gritty reality of trying to make it in America as a poor itinerant worker. Their struggles are almost always as a result of Lennie’s inability to function normally within the bounds of social codes and contracts. His childlike nature draws him to soft, pleasant, cute things—but his immense strength and huge physical frame make him an object of fear. Lennie is unable to understand why people keep rejecting him, or why he keeps killing the mice, puppies , and other soft animals he enjoys holding and stroking. George, rather than helping Lennie to control his strength or his impulses, continues stoking Lennie’s dream of having limitless rabbits to tend and pet whenever he wants. George knows, on some level, that for either him or Lennie to confront the truth about Lennie—that he is a burden, and a dangerous one at that—would tear them apart. As a result, he retreats into a dream of he and Lennie having their own farm: a distinctly American dream of self-made independence, plenty, and harmony. Candy , another laborer on the ranch where George and Lennie find work, is also swept up in the romantic vision of owning a farm, offering up his savings to help secure a plot of land. This dream is unrealistic by any standards, and in light of George and Lennie’s financial insolvency and social struggles, impossible. In order to make their rootless, dangerous, and directionless existence more bearable, however, George and Lennie cling tightly to the dream of America they’ve manufactured together. Lennie and George were raised on promises of prosperity and independence tied to a sensibility rooted in the expansiveness of the American West—but the dreams they were led to believe could be their reality have evaporated as the West has turned from a place of potential and riches to one of dust, emptiness, and squandered potential.

Even though George and Lennie never achieve their dream, it is what keeps them going in the darkest of times. Indeed, even as George prepares to execute Lennie with Carlson’s rifle in the novella’s final pages, George urges Lennie to stare off into the distance as George narrates the familiar details of their shared dream: a “little place” all their own. Steinbeck closes the novella with George shooting Lennie to protect him from a worse death at the hands of the angry ranch laborers who are out for vengeance. This tragic act of violence in the midst of George and Lennie’s “dream” shows that for George, this vision of the America he was promised is ultimately just a fantasy—unattainable yet necessary in order to bear the difficult reality of life.

The American Dream ThemeTracker

The American Dream Quotes in Of Mice and Men

“Well, we ain't got any,” George exploded. “Whatever we ain't got, that's what you want. God a'mighty, if I was alone I could live so easy. I could go get a job an' work, an' no trouble....An' whatta I got,” George went on furiously. “I got you! You can't keep a job and you lose me ever' job I get. Jus' keep me shovin' all over the country all the time. An' that ain't the worst. You get in trouble. You do bad things and I got to get you out.”

“Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don't belong no place. […] With us it ain't like that. We got a future.”

[…] Lennie broke in. “ But not us! An’ why? Because...because I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you, and that's why .”

“Well,” said George, “we'll have a big vegetable patch and a rabbit hutch and chickens. And when it rains in the winter, we'll just say the hell with goin' to work, and we'll build up a fire in the stove and set around it an' listen to the rain comin' down on the roof.”

“We could live offa the fatta the lan'.”

“S'pose they was a carnival or a circus come to town, or a ball game, or any damn thing." Old Candy nodded in appreciation of the idea. "We'd just go to her," George said. "We wouldn't ask nobody if we could. Jus' say, 'We'll go to her,' an' we would. Jus' milk the cow and sling some grain to the chickens an' go to her.”

“I seen hundreds of men come by on the road an' on the ranches, with their bindles on their back an' that same damn thing in their heads [. . .] every damn one of 'em's got a little piece of land in his head. An' never a God damn one of 'em ever gets it. Just like heaven. Ever'body wants a little piece of lan'. I read plenty of books out here. Nobody never gets to heaven, and nobody gets no land.”

“I think I knowed from the very first. I think I knowed we'd never do her. He usta like to hear about it so much I got to thinking maybe we would.”

“No, Lennie. I ain't mad. I never been mad, an' I ain't now. That's a thing I want ya to know.”

'Of Mice and Men' Themes

The nature of dreams, strength vs. weakness, man vs. nature.

Quentin Cohan is a graduate of Williams College with degrees in both English and History. He covered literature for ThoughtCo.

• Williams College

Of Mice and Men , by John Steinbeck, tells the story of two migrant farm workers in California. By exploring themes such as the nature of dreams, the relationship between strength and weakness, and the conflict between man and nature, the novella paints a compelling and often dark portrait of Great Depression-era American life.

George and Lennie share a dream: to own their own land, allowing them to live "off the fatta the lan'." This dream comes up repeatedly throughout the novella in conversations between George and Lennie as well as with other farm workers. However, the significance of this dream differs depending on which character is discussing it.

To innocent Lennie, the dream is a concrete plan. He truly believes that he and George will someday have their own farm with plenty of alfalfa and rabbits. Whenever Lennie feels scared or worried, he asks George to tell him about the farm and the rabbits. Hearing George describe the imaginary farm comforts and reassures Lennie.

The farm plan is supposed to be a secret, but Lennie accidentally lets it slip during a conversation with Crooks. Crooks rejects the dream immediately. He tells Lennie that people are always making big statements about getting land or going to heaven, but that "[n]obody never gets to heaven, and nobody gets no land. It’s just in their head.” For Crooks, there is no point in dreaming—dreams don't offer solace because he is certain that they won't come true.

George has yet another relationship to the dream. For most of the novella, it is unclear whether he truly believes that the farm dream will become a reality, or whether he simply talks about it to keep Lennie happy and to pass the time. At the story's end, however, it becomes clear that for George, the dream was never a potential reality. Up until the instant he shoots Lennie, George is telling him about the farm they'll have one day. In this moment, George knows that Lennie will never see the farm, but still uses the dream to keep Lennie calm; Lennie, on the other hand, truly believes that he will one day be tending rabbits on the farm that George describes. This moment perfectly symbolizes the conflict between George's skepticism of the dream and Lennie's innocent hopes about the dream, as well as the violent power of the former over the latter.

Violence is never far away in  Of Mice and Men 's hardscrabble world, and one of the most important themes is the uneasy relationship between strength and weakness. The theme plays out in the behavior of most of the characters. Curley, a physically diminutive man, uses his position of authority on the farm to assert his dominance over the others. Curley's wife silences Crooks through racial slurs and violent threats, despite being physically weaker than him. And Carlson, one of the ranch hands, shoots the elderly dog owned by Candy, who happens to be an aging handyman himself.

The theme of strength vs. weakness is most apparent in the character of Lennie, a man who is himself both strong and weak. Physically, Lennie is by far the most powerful man on the farm. However, his demeanor is gentle and often fearful—he doesn't want to fight the other men—and he has a mental disability that leaves him dependent on George.

This tension between strength and weakness is highlighted when Lennie, who adores delicate objects and small creatures, interacts with animals. When the novella begins, George and Lennie are sitting by the side of the road, and Lennie is petting a dead mouse (he loves to feel soft materials). Later, Lennie gets a puppy from one of the farm workers. He adores the small creature, but he accidentally kills it by stroking it too strongly. This situation is repeated—with graver consequences—when Lennie breaks Curley's wife's neck while stroking her hair.

Because he fails to understand his own strength, Lennie kills physically weaker beings: the puppy and Curley's wife. These mistakes ultimately lead to Lennie's own death, as George shoots him in an effort to protect him from Curley's wrathful mob. In the dog-eat-dog (or, perhaps more accurately, man-crush-dog) world of Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men , strength in the form of mental and emotional toughness is essential, and the weak cannot survive.

The novella begins with a passage describing an idyllic riverbank, where "the golden foothill slopes curve up" to the mountains and the warm water "slip[s] twinkling over the yellow sands in the sunlight." When humans enter the scene, however, the passage's tone shifts: there is a path "beaten hard by boys" and "an ash pile made by many fires." This early passage demonstrates the uncertain (and potentially harmful) relationship between the natural and human worlds that arises throughout the novella.

The characters in Of Mice and Men work on a ranch—one of the most fundamental examples of humans exerting control over the natural world. Lennie and George's desire to own land again reinforces this theme; their image of success and fulfillment involves dominance over nature.

However, the relationship between man and nature is not as clear-cut as these examples might suggest. Sometimes, humans destroy nature unwittingly, like when Lennie kills the puppy. On other occasions, humans destroy nature for morally ambiguous (maybe even natural ) reasons, like when Carlson shoots Candy's old dog in order to put it out of his misery. Lennie himself reflects some aspects of the natural world, as he seems largely unaware of many social constructs of the human world.

Ultimately, the moment that most blurs the line between the human and natural worlds is Lennie's death at George's hand. The scene asks us to consider whether it is natural for George to kill Lennie for his own protection (to "put him out of his misery"), or whether the killing is an act of societal intervention. The novella's conclusion suggests that the distinction between human society and nature—and between mice and men—is, perhaps, not so great after all.

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Hopes and Dreams in Of Mice and Men (Book Analysis)

The hopes and dreams essay of Mice and Men keeps the characters alive throughout the story. George and candy’s hope of getting a place to themselves and getting freedom give them something to look forward to and to work towards.  Having something to work towards and having hope that they won’t be working for someone else on a ranch their whole life keeps them motivated. Therefore, George and Candy would like to have a place for themselves and it is more realistic than what they thought. They wanted to get a place for themselves and live their American dream rather than be trapped in the cycle of working for someone else. Candy says “Maybe if I give you guys my money, you’ll let me hoe in the garden even after I ain’t no good at it. An’ I’ll wash dishes an’ little chicken stuff like that. But I’ll be on our own place, an’ I’ll be let to work on our own place.”  Candy knows his worth and that he doesn't have much time. He is old and has had an American dream of not working for someone else on a ranch. Once Candy saw the opportunity for his dreams to come true he offered up his money so that he could be a part of it. Steinback shows this by saying “They all sat still, all bemused by the beauty of the thing, each mind was popped into the future when this lovely thing should come about.” This shows how the hopes of their dreams keep them working hard. 

Lennies hope of tending the rabbits keeps him on better behavior and gives George power over Lennie. By telling Lennie that he would be able to tend the rabbits keeps him on better behavior because Lennie doesn't want those privileges removed. Whenever Lennie makes a mistake the first thing he thinks about is if he can still tend the rabbits. As soon as he makes a mistake Steinbeck writes and makes sure to include the rabbits. "George?"  "What you want?" "I can still tend the rabbits, George?" "Sure. You ain't done nothing wrong." "I di'n't mean no harm, George." "Well, get the hell out and wash your face."  

After Lennie kills Curley's wife he doesn't care that he just killed someone he just is worried about being able to tend the rabbits. After every bad thing he does, he always thinks about the rabbits. Although Lennie has done bad things, the dream of him tending the rabbits kept him on better behavior. 

Crooks’ dream was to be somewhere where he is wanted and belongs. Crooks feels like he doesn't belong and he is very lonely. He’s not allowed in the clubhouse and he doesn't want anyone to go into his room either. He wishes he can be treated like everyone else and be equal. Steinback says “S’pose you didn’t have nobody. S’pose you couldn’t go into the bunk house and play rummy ’cause you was black. How’d you like that? S’pose you had to sit out here an’ read books. Sure you could play horseshoes till it got dark, but then you got to read books. Books ain’t no good. A guy needs somebody – to be near him. A guy goes nuts if he ain’t got nobody. Don’t make no difference who the guy is, long’s he’s with you. I tell ya, I tell ya a guy gets too lonely an’ he gets sick.” 

Crooks was finally expressing how he felt to Lennie because he knew Lennie wouldn't say anything. Crooks has no one to talk to or no one to express his feelings to and he is just stuck with reading books inside. Crooks said that eventually a man needs someone to talk to and you can’t read forever. Crooks’ dream is just to be somewhere where he is wanted and is equal and doesn't have to be alone the whole time. This keeps him alive he hopes maybe one day it will get better and that is what he hopes for. 

This is why I believe that the hopes and dreams keep them alive and keep them moving each day. If you live life with no dreams you are not going to live a better life.

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Discuss the theme of the American Dream in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men

Table of Contents

John Steinbeck’s novella, “ Of Mice and Men, ” published in 1937, explores the lives of itinerant workers during the Great Depression. One of the prominent themes within the narrative is the elusive concept of the American Dream. Through the characters of George Milton and Lennie Small, Steinbeck delves into the pursuit of a better life and the obstacles that impede the realization of this dream. This essay will analyze how the American Dream manifests itself in “Of Mice and Men” and how it reflects the harsh realities of the era.

The Nature of the American Dream: The American Dream is a concept deeply rooted in the country’s history and culture, embodying the belief that hard work and determination can lead to success, prosperity, and happiness.

American Dream in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men:- In “Of Mice and Men,” Steinbeck portrays this dream as a beacon of hope for individuals seeking an escape from their troubled lives. The characters’ aspirations, however, highlight the challenges and limitations of this dream.

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George and Lennie’s Dream: George and Lennie, the central characters of the novella, share a dream of owning a piece of land and becoming self-sufficient. This dream represents their desire for stability, independence, and freedom from the harsh realities of their current existence.

American Dream in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men:- George describes their dream as having “a little house and a couple of acres,” where they can “live off the fatta the lan'” and be their own bosses.

The Dream as a Protective Shield: The dream serves as a protective shield for George and Lennie, providing them with a sense of purpose and hope amidst the adversity they face. It acts as a motivating force, allowing them to endure the harsh conditions of their laborious lives.

American Dream in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men:- Their dream gives them something to strive for, anchoring their bond and providing a glimmer of light in an otherwise dark world.

The Illusory Nature of the Dream: Despite the dream’s allure, Steinbeck subtly reveals its illusory nature. The odds are stacked against George and Lennie, as they face numerous obstacles that make their dream seem unattainable.

American Dream in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men:- The harsh reality of the Great Depression, the transient nature of their work, and Lennie’s mental limitations pose significant challenges to their aspirations.

Broken Dreams: Steinbeck introduces various characters whose dreams have been shattered. Curley’s wife, for example, aspires to be an actress but is trapped in a loveless marriage and a suffocating environment. Crooks, the African-American stable hand, dreams of being treated with dignity and respect but is constantly reminded of his marginalized status.

American Dream in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men:- These characters serve as cautionary examples, highlighting the fragility of dreams and the barriers that hinder their realization.

The Corrupting Influence of the American Dream: Steinbeck also explores the corrupting influence of the American Dream on characters like Curley and Carlson. Curley, driven by his desire for power and dominance, exemplifies the dark side of the dream, displaying aggression and an abusive nature. Carlson, on the other hand, prioritizes material possessions over human connections, showcasing the dehumanizing effects of the pursuit of wealth.

Of Mice and Men “Summary”

“Of Mice and Men” is a novella written by John Steinbeck and published in 1937. Set during the Great Depression in the United States, it tells the story of two displaced ranch workers, George Milton and Lennie Small, who dream of owning their own piece of land.

American Dream in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men:- The story begins with George and Lennie arriving at a ranch in Soledad, California, where they have been hired as temporary workers. George is a small, intelligent man, while Lennie is large and mentally challenged but possesses immense physical strength. Despite their differences, they have formed a close friendship, with George acting as a protector and caretaker for Lennie.

The other ranch workers are initially suspicious of George and Lennie’s close bond, but they eventually accept them. George reveals to Slim, a respected worker, that they are fleeing from trouble in Weed, where Lennie’s innocent fascination with touching soft things led to a misunderstanding and nearly got them in trouble with the law.

American Dream in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men:- As George and Lennie settle into their routine on the ranch, they encounter various characters. Candy, an aging ranch hand with a missing hand, becomes interested in their dream of owning a piece of land, and offers to contribute his savings to their cause. The boss’s son, Curley, is aggressive and confrontational, and he takes an immediate dislike to Lennie. Curley’s wife, who remains unnamed throughout the story, seeks attention and companionship from the ranch workers, particularly Lennie.

Lennie’s love for soft things and his lack of understanding of his own strength become central to the plot. He accidentally kills a puppy that he was petting too roughly, which devastates him. Meanwhile, Curley’s wife, in an attempt to engage in conversation with Lennie, allows him to stroke her hair. However, when Lennie becomes too rough, she screams, and Lennie, fearing he will get into trouble, unintentionally breaks her neck in a panic.

American Dream in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men:- Realizing the severity of the situation, George knows that Lennie will be hunted down and likely killed. To save his friend from a cruel fate, George makes a difficult decision. He finds Lennie in their designated meeting spot by a river and shares their dream one last time, offering reassurance and describing the life they will have on their own farm. He then shoots Lennie in the back of the head, sparing him from a painful death at the hands of others.

The novella concludes with the other ranch workers discovering the tragic events and their mixed reactions. George, burdened by the weight of his actions, must face the consequences of his decision to protect Lennie.

American Dream in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men:- “Of Mice and Men” explores themes of companionship, dreams, isolation, and the harsh realities of life. It delves into the lives of individuals affected by the economic and social conditions of the Great Depression, highlighting the vulnerability of those who are marginalized and the challenges they face in pursuit of their dreams.

John Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men” offers a poignant exploration of the American Dream during the Great Depression. Through the characters of George and Lennie, Steinbeck portrays the yearning for a better life, independence, and stability. However, the novella also exposes the challenging realities that obstruct the realization of this dream.

American Dream in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men:- The dream serves as a protective shield, providing hope and purpose in the face of adversity. It symbolizes the pursuit of happiness and the desire for a sense of belonging. Yet, Steinbeck skillfully reveals the illusory nature of this dream, showcasing the barriers and limitations that make it seem unattainable.

Broken dreams embodied by characters like Curley’s wife and Crooks serve as cautionary tales, highlighting the fragility of aspirations and the oppressive forces that can crush them. Additionally, Steinbeck explores the corrupting influence of the American Dream, exposing how it can lead to power struggles, materialism, and the devaluation of human connections.

The tragic conclusion of the novella emphasizes the sacrifices and harsh realities often associated with the pursuit of the American Dream. George’s heartbreaking decision to protect Lennie from a cruel fate demonstrates the difficult choices one may face when faced with insurmountable obstacles.

“Of Mice and Men” challenges the idealistic notion of the American Dream by revealing its complexities and the harsh conditions that can hinder its fulfillment. It serves as a reminder that dreams are not easily achieved, and individuals may encounter numerous barriers and setbacks along the way.

American Dream in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men:- Steinbeck’s masterful portrayal of the American Dream in “Of Mice and Men” contributes to a deeper understanding of the human condition and the struggles faced by marginalized individuals during the Great Depression. The novella serves as a timeless reflection on the pursuit of dreams and the limitations of the social and economic structures that shape our lives.

Q: Who are the main characters in “Of Mice and Men”?

A: The main characters in “Of Mice and Men” are George Milton and Lennie Small, two migrant workers who travel together and dream of owning their own land. Other significant characters include Candy, an aging ranch worker; Curley, the boss’s son; Curley’s wife, who is never given a name; Slim, a skilled and respected ranch hand; and Crooks, the African-American stable hand.

Q: Where and when does the story take place?

A: The story takes place during the Great Depression in the 1930s, primarily on a ranch in Soledad, California.

Q: What is the plot of “Of Mice and Men”?

A: “Of Mice and Men” follows the journey of George and Lennie, who are searching for work as ranch hands during the Great Depression. They arrive at a ranch and encounter various characters with their own dreams and struggles. George and Lennie share a dream of owning their own land, which gives them hope and purpose. However, Lennie’s mental limitations and uncontrollable strength pose challenges, and the dream ultimately meets a tragic end.

Q: What is the theme of “Of Mice and Men”?

A: One of the main themes in “Of Mice and Men” is the pursuit of the American Dream. The characters, particularly George and Lennie, yearn for a better life and the freedom that comes with owning their own land. The novella also explores themes of friendship, loneliness, power dynamics, discrimination, and the harsh realities of the Great Depression.

Q: What is the significance of the title “Of Mice and Men”?

A: The title “Of Mice and Men” is taken from Robert Burns’ poem “To a Mouse.” It reflects the unpredictability and vulnerability of dreams and plans. The poem emphasizes how both humans and animals can be victims of circumstances beyond their control, which resonates with the characters and events in the novella.

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Of Mice and Men — The Image of “Dream Deferred” in Of Mice and Men

The Image of "Dream Deferred" in of Mice and Men

• Categories: Of Mice and Men

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Words: 2548 |

Pages: 5.5 |

13 min read

Published: Jun 29, 2018

Words: 2548 | Pages: 5.5 | 13 min read

Works Cited

• Cash, Peter. "John Steinbeck (1902-1968) Of Mice And Men (1937)." Use Of English 63.3 (2012): 218. Supplemental Index. Web. 3 May 2016.
• Dickstein, Morris. "Steinbeck And The Great Depression." The South Atlantic Quarterly 1 (2004): 111. Project MUSE. Web. 3 May 2016.
• Hughes, Langston. "Harlem." Heath Anthology of American Literature. Ed. Paul Lauter. 7th ed. Vol. D. Boston: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning, 2014. 2088-089. Print.
• Reith, Duncan. "Futile Dreams and stagnation: politics in Of Mice and Men: the American novelist John Steinbeck has sometimes been criticised as a sentimentalist. Duncan Reith uncovers the bleak political pessimism behind his novel of ranch life during the Great Depression, Of Mice and Men." The English Review 15.2 (2004): 6+. Literature Resource Center. Web. 3 May 2016.
• Steinbeck, John. Of Mice and Men. New York: Penguin, 1993. Print.

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