"Of Mice and Men": The American Dream.

Essay by gnirpsffoehtHigh School, 11th gradeA+, March 2006

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In the novel "Of Mice and Men" a major theme is the journey to live out the American dream. The American dream is a difficult concept to describe because the dream may be different for different people. The American dream may also be different depending on the time period in which the person lives. A person living in the sixties may have a different dream than someone who is living in the nineties. There are some similarities that are in most people's dreams regardless of when they lived or who they are. Most people's American dream is to be successful. The generality may be similar however the meaning of success may differ from person to person. Most peoples dream includes being happy, healthy and surrounded by family and friends, this is true for George an Lennie, "It is for this reason that Lennie and George's friendship is questioned by everyone and why there dream of owning their own place is so infectious"(Munro).

However, dreams may differ in that some people may want to work hard, be healthy and have financial success. Others may dream of living off the land and working just enough to survive, while still being healthy and happy.

In "Of Mice and Men", "For Steinbeck's characters, the dream of land represents independence and dignity: the American Dream,"(Hickey) each character had their own version of their American dream. For George and Lennie, their American dream was to live on a farm without a boss and have rabbits to play with. Lennie always asks George to tell him how it will be one day. Lennie wants to hear about the time when they will leave the farm where they work and buy their own farm. That will be the day when they can be independent and...