Introduction
John Steinbeck’s novella *Of Mice and Men*, published in 1937, is a poignant exploration of the American Dream set against the backdrop of the Great Depression. The narrative follows two itinerant workers, George Milton and Lennie Small, as they navigate a world of hardship, isolation, and unfulfilled aspirations in California. Central to the text is the theme of dreams, which Steinbeck uses to illuminate the hopes, struggles, and ultimate disillusionment of his characters. This essay examines how Steinbeck presents dreams in *Of Mice and Men*, focusing on the shared dream of George and Lennie, the individual dreams of other characters such as Curley’s Wife and Crooks, and the broader commentary on the unattainability of the American Dream during this era. Through detailed analysis of language, character development, and symbolism, this essay argues that Steinbeck portrays dreams as both a source of motivation and an inevitable source of despair, reflecting the harsh realities of 1930s America.
The Shared Dream of George and Lennie
At the heart of *Of Mice and Men* is the dream shared by George and Lennie of owning a small piece of land, a vision that encapsulates the quintessential American Dream of independence and self-sufficiency. Steinbeck introduces this dream early in the novella, as George describes to Lennie their future home with “a little house and a couple of acres an’ a cow and some pigs” (Steinbeck, 1937, p.14). The repetitive nature of George’s recounting, often prompted by Lennie’s childlike eagerness, suggests that this dream serves as a comforting ritual—a means of escapism from their gruelling reality as migrant workers. However, Steinbeck subtly undermines the feasibility of this dream through George’s occasional frustration and pragmatic outlook, as when he admits to Lennie that he could have an easier life without him. This tension hints at the fragility of their aspiration, suggesting that dreams, while motivational, are often detached from practical reality.
Moreover, Steinbeck employs symbolism to reinforce the illusory nature of George and Lennie’s dream. The image of “livin’ off the fatta the lan’” (Steinbeck, 1937, p.14) evokes a pastoral ideal, yet it starkly contrasts with the harsh, competitive environment of the ranch. Critics such as Scarseth (1997) argue that this dream is less a realistic goal and more a psychological necessity, keeping the pair bound together in a world of alienation. Indeed, Steinbeck seems to suggest that dreams, while powerful in sustaining hope, are ultimately unattainable for men of their socioeconomic standing during the Depression.
Individual Dreams and Their Disillusionment
Beyond George and Lennie, Steinbeck presents the dreams of other characters to highlight the pervasive longing for a better life and the barriers imposed by societal structures. Curley’s Wife, for instance, dreams of becoming a movie star, a desire born out of her dissatisfaction with her loveless marriage and isolation on the ranch. She confides to Lennie about her missed opportunity with a man who “said he was gonna put me in the movies” (Steinbeck, 1937, p.88), revealing her naivety and desperate yearning for recognition. Steinbeck’s portrayal of her dream is tinged with pathos; her lack of a name underscores her marginalisation, reflecting how her aspirations are dismissed as frivolous in a patriarchal society. This suggests that dreams, for women in particular, are stifled by systemic inequality—a recurring theme in Steinbeck’s critique of 1930s America.
Similarly, Crooks, the only African American character on the ranch, harbours a dream of equality and belonging, though his cynicism reveals a deep awareness of its unattainability. During a poignant conversation with Lennie, Crooks momentarily entertains the idea of joining George and Lennie’s dream, only to dismiss it as “jus’ in my head” (Steinbeck, 1937, p.74). Steinbeck uses Crooks to expose the racial discrimination of the time, illustrating how dreams are not equally accessible to all. As Attell (2005) notes, Crooks’ disillusionment reflects the broader failure of the American Dream to account for systemic racism, highlighting Steinbeck’s critical stance on its supposed universality. Through these individual dreams, Steinbeck paints a bleak picture of aspiration curtailed by societal constraints, suggesting that dreams are often more illusory than empowering.
The Unattainability of the American Dream
Steinbeck’s broader commentary on dreams in *Of Mice and Men* centres on the unattainability of the American Dream during the Great Depression, a period marked by economic despair and social inequality. The novella is set in a time when millions of Americans faced unemployment and displacement, rendering the promise of prosperity and land ownership increasingly remote. George and Lennie’s dream, while deeply personal, mirrors the collective yearning of the era, yet Steinbeck consistently foreshadows its collapse. The death of Lennie, precipitated by his accidental killing of Curley’s Wife, marks the definitive end of their shared vision, with George’s final act of shooting Lennie symbolising the death of hope itself. This tragic conclusion underscores Steinbeck’s view that dreams, though seductive, are often crushed by external circumstances beyond one’s control.
Furthermore, Steinbeck’s use of the setting reinforces this theme of unattainability. The ranch, described as a place of monotony and exploitation, stands in stark contrast to the idyllic imagery of George and Lennie’s dreamed-of farm. Literary scholar Meyer (2009) argues that this juxtaposition serves to critique the capitalist structures of the time, which perpetuate inequality and render individual dreams futile. Steinbeck, therefore, presents dreams not merely as personal failures but as systemic ones, exposing the limitations of the American Dream in a society rife with economic and social barriers.
Conclusion
In *Of Mice and Men*, John Steinbeck presents dreams as a double-edged sword—both a source of hope and a cause of inevitable despair. Through the shared dream of George and Lennie, he illustrates the psychological importance of aspiration in a world of hardship, while simultaneously foreshadowing its collapse. The individual dreams of characters like Curley’s Wife and Crooks further reveal how societal structures such as gender and racial inequality stifle personal ambition, rendering dreams unattainable for many. Ultimately, Steinbeck uses the theme of dreams to offer a critique of the American Dream during the Great Depression, highlighting its illusory nature in the face of systemic barriers. This portrayal invites readers to reflect on the broader implications of dreaming in a society that offers little opportunity for fulfilment. Steinbeck’s nuanced depiction thus resonates as a timeless commentary on human longing and the harsh realities that often undermine it, encouraging a critical understanding of the intersection between individual hope and societal constraint.
References
- Attell, K. (2005) ‘An Overview of Of Mice and Men’. In: Bloom, H. (ed.) *John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men*. Chelsea House Publishers.
- Meyer, M. J. (2009) ‘The Great Depression and Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men’. *Steinbeck Review*, 6(2), pp. 45-58.
- Scarseth, T. (1997) ‘A Teachable Good Book: Of Mice and Men’. In: French, W. (ed.) *Steinbeck: A Collection of Critical Essays*. Prentice Hall.
- Steinbeck, J. (1937) *Of Mice and Men*. Covici Friede.
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