Importance Of Dreams In Of Mice And Men

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Hopes and dreams play a role of great importance in the novel Of Mice and Men. The author, John Steinbeck, uses the motivation provided by the dreams of characters to keep the novel progressing. In many ways, the individual dreams of the characters and the so-called “American Dream” provides the basis for the novel. Towards the end of the novel, many dreams are crushed when the characters were actually finding real hope. George and Lennie are two men who dream of having their own land with a farm and animals. Having this come true would represent their independence although; their dream will never come true because of Lennie’s terrible actions and George’s doubtfulness in the dream. Throughout the novel, there are many examples showing that …show more content…
. . an’ he made like he’s gonna bite me . . . an’ I made like I was gonna smack him . . . an’ . . . an’ I done it. An’ then he was dead” (87). This shows that Lennie is not aware of his actions and he does not know when to stop. It also shows that he does not care about whom he is talking to. The dream to have their own land is so important to them because they are tired of being bossed around and want to boss themselves. Another example showing that their dream will never become a reality is when George actually admits to saying that he never believed in the dream and says, “-I think I knowed from the very first. I think I knowed we’d never do her. He usta like to hear about it so much I got to thinking maybe we would” (94). This shows that the …show more content…
Hopes and dreams are what fuel the story from beginning to end. Steinbeck understood that dreaming is the fundamental need of all people; however, he crushes the dreams of almost all the characters in the book. Steinbeck’s outlook on the typical “American Dream” of the time and his harsh interpretation of reality in which most dreams are crushed, shows just how important dreams are in the novel and how they act as a basis for the entire story. When one dreams, he hopes and shows determination, and as a result, he feels a strong sense of

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