Of Mice and Men and the American Dream PDF

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Summary

Supplementary notes on the American Dream and its place as a theme in the Of Mice and Men, with a specific look at Lennie and George's partnership...

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Of Mice and Men and the American Dream Theme John Steinbeck has a very in-depth understanding of not only of 20 th century working class society but of its relationship with the American Dream. Those who really wanted the American Dream but were unable to obtain it were often people who were marginalised and cut adrift in the economic depression. George and Lenny truly were on the bottom rung of the societal scale both socially and economically, and the American Dream is keeping them both together and fighting to live. Their story highlights how not-universal the American Dream is, and acts as a subtle critique on Capitalism. He reinforces this by setting up the contrast of boys versus tramps and the difference in their situations showing that this is not an even playing field. Steinbeck frequently uses zoomorphic language to describe Lenny and George which shows a certain stereotype of labouring to achieve their American Dream. In their quest to gain prosperity in which they see farmland as their oasis, George and Lenny’s relationship highlights the ugliness of the road to the American Dream. One is the antithesis of the other in this symbiotic relationship. There are also aspects of their relationship that is paternalistic which seems unnatural when you think of the end of their partnership. The end of the novel sheds light on the ugliness that the path to the American Dream entails. George kills Lenny to ensure that he achieves his Dreams. Steinbeck often uses the word ‘path’ when talking about George and Lenny’s journey to their dreams; this suggests something that has been worn over time due to multiple people walking/experiencing it. This shows the inevitability of their story, with the idea that it will be undertaken by other people like this duo. This Dream is sweet but unattainable. The characterisation of Lenny and George provide foreshadowing for the novel. Lennie often doesn’t realise that his actions have consequences, he never learns. He is always doing something that causes ripples and foreshadows the troubled future. These ripples get in the way of the American Dream and drags George along with him. George needs Lennie for extra money, muscle; companionship the Dream binds them together. We don’t know if the dream exists for Lennie without George....