Essay Introduction
“Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck is a story about two friends who are hardworking and travel together. George is small and quick. Meanwhile, Lennie is a huge man. They have a dream that they’re going to buy a ranch one day for themselves. Lennie would tend the rabbits, and they would live off the fat of the land. One of the themes is the friendship between Lennie and George.
Research Paper on “Of Mice and Men”
John Steinbeck wrote a book about two men who traveled together, and he says that “socialism never took root in America because the poor see themselves not as an exploited proletariat but as temporarily embarrassed millionaires.” This makes me feel that Steinbeck was involved in the Great Depression, and he wrote this book to convey how difficult it was to live from October 29th, 1929, to 1939. It also suggests that maybe he had a big dream he wanted to accomplish, but the Great Depression prevented him from achieving it, leading to his own experience of poverty. This represented his American dream.
Argumentative Essay Examples on “Of Mice and Men”
John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men was inspired by an incident he witnessed while working on a farm in California, in the same area where the novel is set. This is evidence that the novel is based on Steinbeck’s own experiences, and it delves into the concept of the American dream, with the character George embodying it. George states, “Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don’t belong in any place. They come to a ranch and work up a stake, and then they go into town and blow their stake, and the first thing you know, they’re pounding their tail on some other ranch. They ain’t got nothing to look ahead to […] With us, it ain’t like that. We got a future. We got somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us. We don’t have to sit in a barroom blowing in our jack just because we got no place else to go. If the other guys get in jail, they can rot for all anybody gives a damn. But not us” (Steinbeck 14).
This passage shows that people like George and Lennie in 1929 had nowhere else to go, and all they could think about was working, getting paid, and spending their money on food before moving on to the next place they could find work. However, it also reveals that some people, like George and Lennie, wanted a place to stay, and instead of squandering their money and constantly moving, they saved it to establish a permanent home in a specific area. During the Great Depression, it was extremely challenging to buy a house, as the average cost was around $1,900. This helps us understand why many people did not prioritize owning a house since they were struggling to afford basic necessities. Nevertheless, by pooling resources, it may have been possible for multiple people to purchase a house. However, having an American dream does not guarantee its realization.
The novel demonstrates that dreams can crumble, as shown by the quote, “What’s wrong with her?” he asked. He stepped closer, and then he echoed Candy’s words. “Oh, Jesus Christ!” […] Candy said, “What done it?” George said, “Ain’t you got any idea?” “I should have known […] Now Candy spoke his greatest fear. “You and I can get that little place, can’t we, George? You and I can go there and live nice, can’t we, George? Can’t we?” […] George said softly, “I think I knew from the very first. I think I knew we’d never do it. He usta like to hear about it so much I got to think maybe we would. Then it’s all off” (Steinbeck 94). This passage illustrates how big dreams during the Great Depression did not always come true, and even the slightest changes could cause them to crumble. George exemplifies many aspects of the American dream, showcasing its beginnings and how it can end due to unforeseen circumstances.
Thesis Statement for “Of Mice and Men”
An example of the theme of friendship is George protecting Lennie and sticking around with him even though he has caused problems. In weed, Lennie didn’t want to stop touching a girl’s dress, and he got in trouble for it. A way George is protecting Lennie is by telling Lennie that if he gets in trouble to come back to the place where they were and hide in the brush. George tells Lennie how he would live easily without him around. George tells Lennie how he could get a job and work without problems. He also says he would stay in a cat house all night and that he could eat at any place he wants.
A second example of the theme of friendship is Candy’s willingness to make a will and leave. His share to Lennie and George. He says that he wants to join them in on the plan to get a ranch. When Candy quits, he says he isn’t going to have a place to go, so that’s why he wants to join them in on the plan. Candy’s job when they get the ranch will be to tend the. Chickens, cook and hoe in the garden.
A third example of friendship is Curley’s wife trying to find a friend. Everyone wouldn’t talk to her because they didn’t want anything to do with her. She just wanted to get some friends, but people misinterpreted her. Curley’s wife is sad because everyone else can talk to someone, but it seems that she can’t talk to anyone because they think she’s trouble. Curley’s wife said that Lennie seemed a guy, and she started telling him her story about how she could’ve done something with her life.
Titles: The role of dreams and aspirations in the lives of the characters
George went to great lengths and killed Lennie to protect him from any harm. Lennie and George would travel around together. George has looked over Lennie since his aunt Clara died. Lennie looks after George, and George looks after Lennie. Curley’s wife died due to trying to find a friend somewhere in the barn. George sticks around with Lennie even though he has caused a lot of problems.
The Illusion and Reality of the American Dream
While Lennie may not be the smartest character, he does have a dream. It may not align exactly with George’s dream, but it holds something Lennie desires: rabbits. In the novel, George plans to let Lennie take care of the rabbits, knowing that Lennie loves soft things and that tending to rabbits would be his biggest dream. This is likely why Lennie is often found in the barn. “What rabbits you talkin’ bout? The rabbits we’re gonna get, and I get, and I get to tend ’em, cut grass an’ give ’em water an’ like that” (Steinbeck 69). This quote reveals that the American dream can extend beyond having a house, a good spouse, or a great job.
The American dream can be anything, and for Lennie, it is the simple act of taking care of rabbits. We know that taking care of rabbits is Lennie’s American dream because he talks about it frequently in the novel. “George, how long’s it gonna be till we get that little place and live on the fatta the land—an’ rabbits? […] an’ rabbits, George. No place for rabbits now, but I can easily build a few hutches, and you could feed them alfalfa to the rabbits,” said George. “Damn right I could,” said Lennie (Steinbeck 56).
Conclusion
This demonstrates that the American dream can be anything, such as taking care of rabbits, having a pet you’ve always wanted, or owning a specific piece of furniture. The American dream can fail at times, especially during the Great Depression, due to even the smallest changes, but it can encompass a wide range of aspirations. Even if the dream never becomes a reality, it is still a worthwhile dream to have.
