“Life’s funny. You have to find a way to keep going, even after you realize none of your dreams will come true. When you realize that, there’s still so much of a life to get through” (Claire Messud). Dreams can be what one looks up to, and once they’re broken, can be what holds them back. Broken dreams is a prominent theme throughout the novella, Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck. It is taken place on a ranch in Salinas, California where two migrant workers, George and Lennie, must work together to fulfill and achieve their biggest dream. The story expresses how all characters experience the feeling of doubt and depression of not being able to attain their aspirations. Although the hopes of achieving a dream is what drives one through life,
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Steinbeck uses characterization to convey the idea of broken dreams with the character Candy. Candy was very fond of his dog, and became helpless once it came to the decision of either to kill it or not. Of course Candy did not want to go through with this action, but it was Steinbeck’s characterization of helplessness that had him agree with Carlson’s proposal. When Carlson is telling Candy to kill his dog, Steinbeck writes about how he, “...looked a long time at Slim to try to find a reversal. And Slim gave him none” (23). Candy is trying to look for an answer to protect his dog and keep him alive, but Steinbeck expresses how he has lost all hope. Steinbeck’s characterization of helplessness towards Candy created an effect where at this moment, the reader knew that Candy’s smaller dream was being taken away from him and this broken aspiration led to depression and sadness. In addition, when the reader first meets Candy, Steinbeck describes him to have only one hand as said, “‘I ain’t much good with on’y one hand. I lost my hand right here on this ranch”’ (29). Candy is explaining to George how he wants to come with them to their dream ranch and help work, even though he has only one hand. This physical characterization allowed the reader to see that many of Candy’s dreams were broken due to only having one hand to work with. This also could …show more content…
Steinbeck uses the character George to apply the theme of broken dreams through varieties of conflict. Throughout the novella, George is constantly complaining to himself about how without Lennie, he could follow his dreams, and life would be easier, as stated, “‘...if i was alone I could live so easy. I could go get a job an’ work, an’ no trouble. No mess at all’’’ (6). George is complaining about how Lennie is a burden on his life and without him, he could get a job and earn more money. George’s dream is to be able to live life without all of these troubles Lennie brings upon him but even though George could easily leave Lennie behind, he doesn’t. This is because George is conflicted with himself about whether or not to leave Lennie. If he does, he knows Lennie won’t survive on his own because Lennie needs him. Steinbeck uses this conflict to show how George is in a dispute with himself and because of this, it is ruining his dream of being able to be on his own. George's internal conflict is stopping him from achieving his dream, and from obtaining an easier life. In addition, George is constantly in conflict with Lennie about his actions and what consequences come after them. When George notices that Lennie killed Curley’s wife, the reader can see that he automatically has doubts in his dream about the ranch. When Candy sees George with Curley’s dead wife,
Steinbeck uses characterization to convey the idea of broken dreams with the character Candy. Candy was very fond of his dog, and became helpless once it came to the decision of either to kill it or not. Of course Candy did not want to go through with this action, but it was Steinbeck’s characterization of helplessness that had him agree with Carlson’s proposal. When Carlson is telling Candy to kill his dog, Steinbeck writes about how he, “...looked a long time at Slim to try to find a reversal. And Slim gave him none” (23). Candy is trying to look for an answer to protect his dog and keep him alive, but Steinbeck expresses how he has lost all hope. Steinbeck’s characterization of helplessness towards Candy created an effect where at this moment, the reader knew that Candy’s smaller dream was being taken away from him and this broken aspiration led to depression and sadness. In addition, when the reader first meets Candy, Steinbeck describes him to have only one hand as said, “‘I ain’t much good with on’y one hand. I lost my hand right here on this ranch”’ (29). Candy is explaining to George how he wants to come with them to their dream ranch and help work, even though he has only one hand. This physical characterization allowed the reader to see that many of Candy’s dreams were broken due to only having one hand to work with. This also could …show more content…
Steinbeck uses the character George to apply the theme of broken dreams through varieties of conflict. Throughout the novella, George is constantly complaining to himself about how without Lennie, he could follow his dreams, and life would be easier, as stated, “‘...if i was alone I could live so easy. I could go get a job an’ work, an’ no trouble. No mess at all’’’ (6). George is complaining about how Lennie is a burden on his life and without him, he could get a job and earn more money. George’s dream is to be able to live life without all of these troubles Lennie brings upon him but even though George could easily leave Lennie behind, he doesn’t. This is because George is conflicted with himself about whether or not to leave Lennie. If he does, he knows Lennie won’t survive on his own because Lennie needs him. Steinbeck uses this conflict to show how George is in a dispute with himself and because of this, it is ruining his dream of being able to be on his own. George's internal conflict is stopping him from achieving his dream, and from obtaining an easier life. In addition, George is constantly in conflict with Lennie about his actions and what consequences come after them. When George notices that Lennie killed Curley’s wife, the reader can see that he automatically has doubts in his dream about the ranch. When Candy sees George with Curley’s dead wife,