Shattered Dreams
The theme of Shattered Dreams is evident in the novel Of Mice and Men. Crooks told Lennie that he has seen many guys come and go that have a dream that never came true. Lennie got upset and told Crooks that it will come true. After George and Candy witnessed the body of the motionless Curley's wife, they realized that Lennie has killed her. George left the barn and Candy went on a rampage. Candy explained, " I could of hoed in the garden and washed dishes for them guys." ... " If they was a circus or a baseball game... we would of went to her.. jus' said 'ta hell with work, an' went to her. Never ast nobody's say-so. An they'd of been a pig and chickens... an' in the winter... the little fat stove... an' the rain comin' ... an' us jus' settin' there"(Steinbeck 95- 96). Candy finally gave up hope on living the American Dream with George and Lennie. This was his way of relieving the grief. The critic Harry Thornton Moore believes that everyone goes through the heartbreak of a shattered dream no matter what. He show this by stating, " They exist in a hard reality, but most of them are susceptible to dreams. Some of them are lost in a compensatory dream - image of themselves, others are set afire by the wish - dream of George and Lennie. But in one way or another all the dreams and some of the people ( the good along with the bad ) are smashed. The spirit of doom prevails..."(Moore). I agree and disagree with Mr. Moore. Yes everyone will have a dream of theirs crushed throughout their life but that shouldn't define you. The spirit of doom won't prevail. It depends on the person and not all dreams are going to be crushed. You just have to keep going and to keep trying. Shattered Dreams does happen throughout life and in this novel. Not being able to get a house on their own maybe disappointing but George and Candy should keep trying. It's heartbreaking that if they finally receive their dream, they won't have Lennie with them. George and Candy have to keep their life going znd just learn from this shattered dream.