Of mice and men final assessment plan

In John Steinbeck's novel "Of Mice and Men," the theme of dreams is presented through the
characters' aspirations for a better future, which ultimately prove to be illusory. Steinbeck uses a
variety of literary techniques, such as symbolism, imagery, and characterization, to convey the idea
that the American Dream, which promised upward mobility and success, was unattainable for many
people during the Great Depression.

One of the most significant symbols in the novel is the dream of owning a farm, shared by George
and Lennie. George, a small, wiry man, and Lennie, a large, mentally disabled man, travel together
and work as ranch hands. They have a shared dream of one day buying a farm, where they can "live
off the fatta the lan',"

and Lennie can tend to the rabbits that he loves so much. This dream, however, is constantly
thwarted by reality, as they are unable to save enough money and are continually moving from one
ranch to another. This can be seen in the following quote: "Guy don't need no sense to be a nice
fella. Seems to me sometimes it jus' works the other way around. Take a real smart guy and he ain't
hardly ever a nice fella." This passage highlights the contrast between the ideal of the American
Dream, where hard work and intelligence lead to success, and the reality of the situation, where the
characters are trapped in a cycle of poverty and discrimination.

The other characters in the story also have their own aspirations, which are not only connected to
the American Dream of upward mobility and success. Crooks, the stable hand, is a black man living in
a time of segregation and discrimination, and his dream is to be accepted and respected in a society
that sees him as less than human. Candy, the old swamper, has a dream of saving enough money to
buy a small piece of land, where he can retire and live out the rest of his days in peace. Curley's wife,

who is not given a name in the novel, is the embodiment of the idea that the American Dream was
not just about financial success, but also about social connections and companionship. Her dream is
to escape the loneliness and isolation that she feels on the ranch and be respected by the men
around her. All of the characters have their own desires, but they all share the common
denominator that their wishes will not come true.

The language and structure used by Steinbeck also contribute to the theme of dreams. The novel is
written in a simple, straightforward style, which emphasizes the simplicity of the characters'
aspirations. The use of repetition and the parallel structure of the sentences, as seen in the previous
quote, also serves to emphasize the monotony and futility of the characters' lives. Steinbeck also
uses foreshadowing to hint at the tragedy that is to come, further emphasizing the unattainability of
the American Dream for the characters.

One of the key quotations in the novel is when Curley's wife says "I get lonely," in describing her own
dream. This quote highlights the idea that the American Dream was not just about financial success,
but also about social connections and companionship. Curley's wife, who is not given a name in the
novel, is the embodiment of this idea. She is the only woman on the ranch and is incredibly lonely,
and the fact that she is not given a name further emphasizes her isolation and lack of agency. The
audience may react to this with sympathy for her, but also frustration at the limitations imposed on
her by the patriarchal society of the time.

The theme of dreams is also connected to the historical context of the Wall Street Crash and the
Great Depression. The novel is set during the 1930s, a time of great economic hardship, and the
characters' struggles to achieve their dreams reflect the difficulties faced by many Americans during
this time. The idea of the American Dream was particularly relevant during the Great Depression, as
it represented a glimmer of hope in an otherwise bleak situation. Steinbeck's message, however, is
that this dream was often unattainable, particularly for marginalized groups such as workers,
minorities, and women.

In conclusion, Steinbeck presents the theme of dreams throughout "Of Mice and Men" through the
use of symbolism, imagery, and characterization. He uses the characters' aspirations to own a farm
and the contrast between their ideal and reality to convey the idea that the American Dream was
unattainable for many people during the Great Depression. Steinbeck also uses historical context to
connect the theme of dreams to the larger societal issues of the time. The audience may be left with
a sense of disillusionment and empathy for the characters, as well as an understanding of the
limitations imposed by society on marginalized groups. Steinbeck's intention was to shed a light on
the harsh realities of life during the Great Depression and convey the message that for many, the
American Dream was only a pipe dream.