In the novel “Of Mice & Men”, dreams play a very important role to many of the characters. As an example, dreams keep the drifting workers going and make them work harder; in hopes of one day making that dream come true.
George and Lennies dream features as one of the main dreams in the novel. Together, they dream of owning their own land, and being able to be their own boss. Lennie and George dream upon the idea of freedom, and being able to do whatever they want when they please.
George and Lennies dream is a version of the American Dream, a dream of being successful and being your own boss; it was an escape from the unfulfilling life that they lead. This was a dream that many migrant farm workers had at this point of time. This novel was set at the time of the Great Depression; this made many workers travel west to find work, many went from ranch to ranch, working for short term and poorly paid contracts. When talking about dreams, dreams were all these workers had at this point. They would dream of a better life for themselves, this would give them the motivation to carry forward; it would give them something to hope for, much like Lennie and George.
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Crooks was also very doubtful of George and Lennies dream becoming reality. Crooks stated, “nobody never gets to heaven and nobody gets no land.” Crooks slowly came around to the idea after Candy claimed he had the money for the land. But it is soon made clear that Crooks knows it was more than likely never going to happen, as he knows that reality does not allow dreams to become reality itself.
Another example of the theme dreams, arises from Curly’s Wife. She dreams of becoming an actress. People told her that she could fulfill this dream, but she was constantly being let down. Because of this, her dream of being an actress crumbled before her, and she married Curly. When she heard of George and Lennies dream, it made her think about her dream again as well. This then lead to her resenting the fact that she married Curly. She felt that if she hadn’t married Curly, she could have been famous. This is shown in a quote from the novel “coulda been in the movies, an’ had nice clothes-all of them really nice clothes they wear, an i’ coulda sat in them big hotels.”
Another big part of the novel, was when Bill Tanners article was featured in a Wild West Magazine, which gave a rather glamorous view of cowboys. The ranch hands were ultimately intrigued by this article. Throughout the article, Bill Tanner explained how he was working at a ranch, and always dreamed of getting a letter published in the Wild West Magazine. Now that he has accomplished one of his dreams, it then inspires the ranch hands; it gives them further hope that their dreams can come true as well. It helps them survive their day to day lives.
In Conclusion,Steinbeck knows that george and lennies dream will never come true. Lennie’s character plays a big role throughout the ups and downs of the story. Lennies heart is constantly in the right place, but he doesn’t realize his own strength. He tries not to get into trouble,but always ends up doing something wrong.
Steinbeck shows how the men’s plan is no more secure than those of the mouse, and that is the point of Steinbecks title. The ultimate source of the characters dreams lies within the discontent with their present. Steinbeck shows how poor their lifestyle is: they have few possessions, fewer comforts, no chance of marriage or family life and no place of their own.
Out of all of the things that Lennie and George did not have throughout the novel, they always carried hope. And I truly think thats what makes this story an unforgettable one for all that encounter it. I agree with the quote, that “hope and dreams can help people survive, even if they never become real.”
