Themes in John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men Essay Example

In chapter one, Lennie and George have just left their previous town in Weed because Lennie had been accused of rape. George sacrificed his life and town and left with Lennie to keep him safe. Even though Lennie makes life a lot more difficult for George, George still sticks with them because they are friends. A conversation between George and Lennie on page 13 is as follows, “But not us! An’ why? Because…. Because I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you, and that's why.’ He laughed delightedly.” The song “You’ve got a friend in me” has a similar theme to this chapter. A quote from that song states, ““When the road looks rough ahead/And you're miles and miles/From your nice warm bed/You just remember what your old pal said/Boy, you've got a friend in me” Just like the song states, Lennie and George remember that even when they don’t have anything else, they will always have each other. 

A Second theme in the first chapter of the novella is the idea of an American dream. As Lennie and George are struggling to find a new place to live, they are comforted by their fantasy that one day they will be self-sufficient and live off the land. The dream gives both of the men hope to continue working to get towards this goal and get their dream which many Americans had during the time. Buy Dirt by Jordan Davis represents dreams, including the specific dream George and Lennie have. A few lines from “Buy Dirt” include, “Find you a few things that matter/That you can put a fence around/And then he laid it out/Buy dirt/Find the one you can't live without.” This song is a man giving his advice on how to find happiness. His instructions match up with George and Lennie’s plans to find a friend and buy land. The song says it is the “dream of many” meaning people, especially in America, are shooting for this end goal, just like George and Lennie. 

Jack and Diane is a country song with an upbeat tune that reminds me of the upbeat tone in chapter 1 when Lennie and George keep talking about their dream, referencing the theme of the American Dream in the novella. The song states, “A little ditty 'bout Jack & Diane/Two American kids growing up in the heartland/Jack, he's gonna be a football star” This quote from the song “Jack and Diane” by John Mellencamp talks about Jack's dream which is to be a football player and the song states it as his future, not what he is hoping will happen. Page 13 explains a little more about George and Lennie's dream, during a conversation between George and Lennie, “‘OK someday--- we’re gonna get the jack together and we’re gonna have a little house and a couple of acres an’ a cow and some pigs and---’ ‘An’ live off the fatta and lan.’” They also state this as their future just like the song by John Mellencamp does, this represents their belief that their dreams will come true.