The American Dream Theme in Of Mice and Men (Essay Sample)

In the profoundly depressing novella Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck sympathizes with impoverished folks trapped in the futile American Dream. Men and women are shown as human monsters trapped in a world with limited social roles, intolerance, and perpetual labor. This realistic portrayal of daily living is juxtaposed with the character's fixation on a fantasy world of freedom, individualism, riches, achievement, and loyalty. His clear writing approach made the narrative accessible to people caught in the grip of the Great Depression at the time of publication, as well as everyone from teens to adults now. Steinbeck discreetly argues that people's common hopes are not what they seem by establishing a relationship with the audience, offering significant symbolism, and employing vernacular dialect. Steinbeck subtly argues that the common dreams of people in this period were unattainable and led only to a miserable cycle of work and tragedy, while also informing the reader of the true societal conditions of the 1930s working class, by making a connection with the audience, presenting strong symbolism, and using vernacular diction. Steinbeck elicits the reader's sympathy by making them sympathize with George and Lennie's predicament and then crushes their hearts by depicting the men's complicated connection, which culminates in a tragic death. Steinbeck uses powerful images to make the reader outraged at the deplorable conditions the guys are in. The reader feels terrible for George and Lennie at the start of the novel since they only have beans to eat. The reader feels sad for George and Lennie since they only have beans for dinner, and then becomes outraged when George discovers a can at the bunkhouse that states "... destroys lice, roaches, and other scourges'" (Page 18). Steinbeck depicts how the main character George needs to be harsh at times with the mentally deficient Lennie, gets angry at him at others, then softens up because he can't stand to see him sad via his encouraging tone. In an attempt to shield Lennie from imminent conflict, George yells and cusses at him on page 32, "'Listen to me, you crazy bastard... don't you even look at that bitch'" (Page 32). When the novel's climax, Lennie's death, arrives, the reader is caught off guard. When the novel's climax, Lennie's death, arrives, the reader gets emotionally immersed in the characters' connection and resents George for murdering the crippled man in order to maintain his career and future income. By making readers emotionally invested in the tale, Steinbeck demonstrates to the reader that for the sake of the American Dream, individuals in the 1920s and 1930s endured less-than-ideal living circumstances, gave up friendships, and accepted harsh disasters. Throughout the novel, Steinbeck uses a variety of themes to promote his point of view, one of which is the usage of locations as symbols. Steinbeck presents the pool and thicket near the river right at the start of the novel. This pool symbolizes security, independence, and privacy. When Lennie wonders why they're sleeping near the pool, George responds, "We're trying to get away from civilization." "'We're going to work tomorrow,' she says. I'm going to lie down and look up tonight. I like it'" (Page 8). Lennie runs to the "deep green... calm pool" (Page 99) after his crime, anticipating George to meet him there, as Steinbeck proceeds to tie in this oasis later in the novel. By juxtaposing lovely locations with tragic catastrophes, Steinbeck skillfully depicts the unreachable American Dream; the spot Lennie assumed to be his haven turned out to be his deathbed. Steinbeck brilliantly employs vernacular jargon to capture the reader and allow them to genuinely comprehend the character's dilemma. This line accurately reflects how California's working-class spoke and acted in the 1930s, a feature of literary realism and regionalism. In a departure from his predecessors' formal, immaculate style, Steinbeck loses no time in informing the reader that George and Lennie had to walk "... [a] God damn near four miles" because their truck driver was "'Too God damn lazy to pull up" (Page 4). The reader will have a greater understanding of not just what Californian working life was like, but also how George feels, thanks to the usage of profane words. Steinbeck never leaves the reader guessing about anything. Steinbeck never allows the reader to guess how a character is feeling; instead, he uses simple adverbs to convey the character's current feelings. For instance, during a bunk room discussion, "'Curley, have you gone in yet?' Carlson said casually. Whit said sarcastically, ‘He spends half his time lookin’ for her, and the rest of the time she’s lookin’ for him" (Page 53). To illustrate how working life was and to offer the reader insight into the actual sentiments of 1930s residents, Steinbeck employs terms and spellings that are not traditionally deemed accurate. Steinbeck never leaves the reader guessing as to how a character feels; instead, he uses simple adverbs to convey the character's current feelings. For instance, during a bunk room discussion, "'Has Curley been in yet?' Carlson said casually. 'He spends half his time looking for her, and the rest of the time she's looking for him,' Whit cynically observed " (Page 53). To illustrate how working life was and to offer the reader insight into the true sentiments of 1930s citizens, Steinbeck employs terms and spellings that are not traditionally deemed accurate. The novel Of Mice and Men exposes the brutal realities of working life in the 1930s while also delivering the notion that the fixation with the American dream of prosperity and autonomy resulted in avoidable tragedies.