The Role Of Dreams In Of Mice And Men Essay Sample

“A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination, and hard work.” In the novel Of Mice And Men by John Steinbeck, two workers named George and Lennie begin work at a farm. George is a short, but intelligent man, on the other hand, Lennie is a large and mentally slow man. They share a dream of someday owning a farm and no longer working treacherous hours for other people. Lennie tends to get in trouble often, but his only worry tends to be George not allowing him to tend the rabbits. All conflicts are rather minor until Lennie accidentally kills the wife of the boss. As a result, a search party is sent out to kill Lennie for his actions. George decides to take matters into his own hands and take Lennie out peacefully. Dreams play a crucial role in Of Mice and Men. Having dreams helps people build connections, gives them the motivation to keep going, and clouds their thinking.

Dreams fabricate friendships and relationships with individuals. George and Lennie were traveling together when Lennie asked about how they are different from other farmers. George reluctantly agrees and points out that “We got a future. We got someone to talk to that gives a damn about us” (Steinbeck 14). Despite having many chances to leave Lennie, George doesn't leave him. He could have had an entirely different life without Lennie. It is because they need someone with whom to share their dreams that they maintain their friendship. Dreams kept them connected and built up a pivotal friendship. During a time when Lennie and George believed no one was around, they began discussing their dream. Suddenly Candy interrupts and proposes “S’pose I went in with you guys. Tha’s three hundred and fifty bucks I’d put in” (Steinbeck 59). Without this discussion of the dream, George and Candy would have never built a connection. They would have remained colleagues, but no more than that. On the other hand with the dream, they are in constant contact with each other and they will do anything to make it possible. Someone that you don't know well, can transform into a benevolent friend who is willing to put forward money for a cause. Dreams can be the beginning of a vivacious friendship. Dreams are better when they are shared with other people.

Dreams motivate people to keep going from day to day. George and Lennie just finished a strenuous day of work and were speaking about their dream when Lennie points out “An’ rabbits, Lennie said eagerly. An’ I’d take care of ‘em” (Steinbeck 58). Lennie’s dream is to own rabbits, and he will do anything to make that dream come true. Every single day he continues to work solely because of his dream. Lennie asks about the rabbits every single day and those are the only worries on his mind. Lennie and Candy were speaking with Crooks about their dream when Crooks shrugs and states “I seen too many too many guys with land in their head. They never got none under their hand” (Steinbeck 76). This shows that most men who begin work at the ranch all have a dream. That's the reason that they work so heavily until they become lethargic.  Most people share a common goal of achieving their dreams. Having dreams motivates them and gives them a better life. Dreams are what keep us alive and connected.

Dreams make people ravenous, and can also cloud their thinking. Lennie had just accidentally killed his puppy and said “Why did you got to get killed? … Now maybe George ain’t gonna let me tend no rabbits” (Steinbeck 85). In this situation, any sensible person would be worried about the dog, but instead, Lennie is worrying about George allowing him to tend the rabbits. This is a completely preposterous response to the situation at hand. The pursuit of dreams pushes people to do ridiculous things in order to make them a reality. Lennie had just killed Curley’s wife when George and Candy discovered her body. They were figuring out a plan when Candy scarcely asked “You an’ me can get that little place, can’t we, George” (Steinbeck 94). Although he is disturbed by the death of a person, the dream still occupies his mind. Candy should be concerned about Curley's wife or even Lennie, but instead, he is only concerned about the dream. People can be negatively affected by dreams and lose their sense of reality.

Dreams can lead people to do a wide range of things. People form friendships, become motivated, and cannot help but think of them throughout their lives. Dreams can have different effects on everyone. People interpret dreams differently. Despite the belief that dreams bring good fortune, their results aren't always the best.