Of Mice And Men Differences Between Lennie And George

eck’s novel “Of Mice and Men” the world is a tough place where dreams do not come true for many characters, especially George, Lennie and Crook who failed to reach their dreams. While many of the characters were behind the curve due to a variety of issues like race or wealth, the environment around the characters suffocated any dreams that they had. The negative atmosphere of the ranch didn't make it easy on anyone. Specifically, Lennie and George, the main characters, seemed to be the most ambitious of their dreams, but the two never seemed to get close to their dream. While other characters did not achieve their dreams for obvious reasons, like Crook, who was not only black in a time of racism but also had a crooked back, the two boys faced …show more content…
Similar to Lennie, he wants to own land where they can have their own farm, but for different reasons than Lennie. The reason he wants the farm is for freedom and peace of mind. As long as the two have been friends, George has always had to look out for his slower friend Lennie. In fact, the two have been in danger a few times due to Lennie so if they could have their own land, far from anyone, then Lennie could do as he pleases while George can relax from constantly watching his friend. In fact, we know that George could be a lot better of on his own when he says” God a'mighty, if I was alone I could live so easy,” but he chooses to stay by his friend. Throughout the story, there are many instances where George is worried for his friend because he knows without his help, Lennie would be a goner. Therefore, throughout the story the two work as hard as they can to achieve their dream, but find that what they are doing just isn't cutting it. While on the run, the two finally settle down and find work on a ranch but this doesn't give them much earnings to save for the farm. At one point, George becomes very gloomy and figures out that the work on the ranch isn't bringing them any closer to the dream. In chapter 3, George says “If I was bright, if I was even a little bit smart, I'd have my own little place, an' I'd be bringin' in my own crops, 'stead of doin' all the work and not getting …show more content…
He had to deal with constant loneliness and isolation due to the racist culture he was surrounded with. Due to this treatment, he was conditioned to take any sign of kindness as some sort of trick. This is seen when he picks on Lennie who is just trying to be nice. In chapter 4, we see a great example of how Crooks respond to Lennie's company in this quote which says “Crooks scowled, but Lennie's disarming smile defeated him. "Come on in and set a while," Crooks said. "'Long as you won't get out and leave me alone, you might as well set down." While many of the others have jobs of financial success, land ownership and many other privileges, Crooks dream is something everyone takes for granted, equality. He has been tossed aside because of his color and his hurt back which has had a huge toll on him over the years. While the damage has already been done, Crooks would want nothing more then to be welcomed into the social scene as an equal. However, just based on the area and time period he knows this dream is truly just a dream, it will never come true for him. Later in the book, when Crooks is talking to George and Lennie, he states one of the most important quotes in the entire book about the American Dream. He tells the boys that they are not special and will fail like everyone else before them in chapter 4 and says "You’re nuts." Crooks