The American Dream Theme in Of Mice and Men Essay Example

The 5th amendment of the US constitution states that any individual in the US is guaranteed the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Those who seek greater socio-economic opportunities immigrate to the Americas in hopes of achieving their dream, or better known as the American Dream. However, some may argue that the American Dream is more of a hoax rather than an actual concept individuals strive for. This is a question that the main characters of the novel “Of Mice and Men” George and Lennie must overcome and answer for themselves. George and Lennie are two men who work and have dreams of pursuing their own happiness together. Throughout the novel, readers can take notice of these limitations that hold them back from prospering forward towards the American Dream. Having this curiosity, my HL essay question is how does the author Steinback portray the concept of the American Dream throughout the characters in the novel Of Mice and Men? Steinbeck reaffirms the concept of the American Dream by demonstrating materialistic behaviors through George and Lennie’s attempt to achieve ownership, the challenges and obstacles that question the genuine capacity to attain the American Dream, and lastly the belief of a higher power or faith determining one’s destiny of wealth and success. 

In general, most Americans long to be able to pay off something completely and obtain that sense of economic validation from that possession. For example, the average American in the US owns or strives to own a home, which relates back to the materialistic notion of the American Dream. In the novel, Steinback introduces the main characters George and Lennie that are revealed to not have a permanent home. Because Lennie limits George’s opportunities, both must travel from place to place in search of jobs. Steinback portrays the concept of materialism as George and Lennie’s ultimate goal is to acquire enough money to obtain a plot of land.  Steinbeck declares this when he states on page 14, “OK. Someday-we’re gonna get the hack 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 the lan’,” Lennie shouted.”

Ownership is a part of the traditional American Dream path, in which this quote emphasizes through the materialistic aspect. Materialism is the desire to have “material” possessions for comfort and or validation to oneself or society. As stated previously, George and Lennie are a part of the working class. Many are a part of the working class in hopes of eventually reaching a point of financial independence to then buy their own “materials”. Another quote that can elaborate on this idea is on page 39 when it states, “If I was bright, if I was even a little bit smart, I’d have my own crops, ‘stead of doing  all the work and not getting what comes up outta the ground.”

Looking at this quote from George, Steinback emphasizes the importance of ownership. George illustrates how if he was able to achieve more academically, he would be able to successfully own his own plot of land with no struggle. This strive to obtain or own something further affirms materialism as it represents his sense of self-fulfillment and freedom. As mentioned earlier, materialism creates a sense of validation or comfort. Steinback depicts this comfort George longs for as he desires to have his own place to be in charge of or do to his own pleasure. Materialism provokes more of a sentimental effect on one as they feel a sense of pride of being able to provide for them themselves. The American Dream is full of endless possibilities. Working towards independence, George and Lennie’s goal and dream to own their own land represents the American Dream by pursuing the idea of ownership. 

To achieve a life of success and happiness, one must also recognize the good from the bad. Fulfilling one’s own desires to one’s wildest dreams remain just dreams due to fear and disappointment. This is contrasted with the idea of the American Dream as the whole concept is to achieve or go beyond one's limits. However to understand this readers must look at the novel from a different perspective. Of Mice and Men was a novel published by Steinback in 1937. During this time period, the Great Depression had created a lasting effect for citizens. This knowledge overall justifies the questioning of the ability to attain the American Dream, after the US just experienced a devastating economic depression. Steinback challenges the idea of the American Dream through the character’s self-doubts, obstacles, challenges and failures to successfully attain the American Dream. Steinback proposes the question of whether the American Dream is true by Crooks on page 74 when he states,

“I saw hundreds of men come by on the road and on the ranches, with their bindles on their back and that same damn thing in their heads. Hundreds of them. They come, an’ they quit an’ go on; an’ every damn one of ’em’s got a little piece of land in his head. An’ never a God damn one of ’em ever gets it... Nobody gets to heaven, and nobody gets no land. It’s just in their head. They’re all the time talkin’ about it, but it’s just in their head.”

Crook is a character introduced to the audience in chapter 4. Considering the time period, Crook, a man of color, was already limited to pursuing his own happiness. After Lennie shares with Crooks his plans to save up enough money to get his own place with George, Crook is quick to shut down this idea of this dream. In this quote, it represents both the hardship and disappointment of the American Dream by showing how many have attempted to, but never succeeded in buying their own land. Looking closer at the part where he states “it’s all just in their hand” further proves how the American Dream did not seem attainable. It was seen as more of a hoax and only an idea, rather than a reality. 

Some people devote themselves or follow a religious faith. These individuals have the idea and or belief of a higher power being in control of their destiny. George and Lennie have a close relationship with each other. Although not biologically related, they trust and confide in each other. However, the audience also sees this connection and or idea of faith that George alludes to. Although George and Lennie themselves aren't religious men, they do suggest the idea of their American Dream path or view being religious in its nature. Steinback introduces this suggestion through imagery when it states on page 105,

“Look across the river, Lennie, an’ I’ll tell you so you can almost see it.” Lennie turned his head and looked off across the pool and up the darkening slopes of the Gabilians. “We're gonna get a little place,”...  “Go on,” said Lennie. “How’s it gonna be? We're gonna get a little place.” “We'll have a cow,” said George. “An’ we'll have maybe a pig and chickens… an’ down the flat, we’ll have a little piece of alfalfa.”... Lennie giggled with happiness”

While Steinback uses his own and George’s description of their “dream”, it refers to the religious allusion of the Promised Land. The Promised Land is a religious story that is a place where one expects to find and pursue great happiness.  George’s imagination and strong desire is a connection to the “Promised Land” as it is a place where he and Lennie strived for, as part of their own American Dream. Recalling back to what is the American Dream, readers can see the joy from Lennie when he giggled with glee while imagining having his own place with George. This idea of a religious concept fits under the concept of the American Dream as it’s one belief that a higher power is responsible for choosing their destiny. In this case, their idyllic version of ownership was ultimately alluded to as a place of happiness, which paralleled the Promised Land in the bible. Unfortunately, they only ever got to envision their faith and dreams rather than experience them, which nonetheless contributes to the idea of the American Dream being a hoax.  

The American Dream is a subjective interpretation that Steinback illustrated through various takes. As George and Lennie’s character developed throughout the novel, the audience is able to see how they themselves gave into questioning whether the American Dream was true. But, the reader is still able to take note of how multiple characters demonstrated the different aspects of this dream and or belief. Although George and Lennie are the main characters of this novel, Steinback also portrayed the struggles of the American Dream through other characters, such as Crooks, Curley’s wife, etc. By possessing or obtaining land, George and Lennie would have completed their own American Dream. While trying to overcome one’s own limitations, Steinback portrays the idea of faith or beliefs determining one’s wealth and or success through religious allusions and connections. Although most of the characters were met with disappointment, they ultimately went through the motions of achieving their own personal American Dream by showing aspects of their materialistic desire, challenging the question of whether it is real, and lastly their happiness being allusions to religious stories, interpretations, and faith in a higher power.