Hope In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

Something every human has in common is dreaming for a better future. That one day they’ll have a family, a successful career, a nice home, etc. And those dreams are powered by one thing, hope. As one quote puts it, “Once you choose hope, anything’s possible” (Christopher Reeve). However, in the thrilling story Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, the American Dream is crushed by reality. Making a point that life is hopeless. Showing more that, “hope is the worst of all evils, because it prolongs man’s torments” (Friedrich Nietzsche). But throughout the book Of Mice and Men, there are characters clinging to it. What is so important about hope? By examining the characters hopes/dreams, the barriers, and where their dreams led them, it’s clear to see that hope in the …show more content…
Some people hope that one day they’ll be a famous singer, yet there are so many things that could block their dream, could stand in their way. Such as their voice, stage fright, competition, getting noticed, etc. Hope can fly in easily but once you start looking at the barriers, it can be hard to hold on to it. As Crooks’ put it, “‘They come, and they quit and they go on; every one of them’s got a little piece of land in his head. An’ never one of ‘em ever gets it’” (74). He states that everyone hopes for their dream to come true though, it never once happens. If things start to get tough, it can seem easier to just quit just as the men Crooks’ described. To overcome these barriers in life, the walls that hope could either help take down or build higher up depends if people had worked for it and persevered through the challenges before them. People can overcome what lays ahead if they keep at it, although it will be rigorous. Lennie and George came close to their dream, defeating their problems and holding onto hope. Hope may help people through times of trouble and some people could conquer its barriers, nevertheless hope isn’t always made of