The American Dream
The theme of The American Dream is shown throughout the story, Of Mice of Men. George and Lennie always think about their dream of owning land and a house of their own. Lennie just wants to tend to the rabbits, while George just wants to have a normal life with a family. In the beginning of the story, George and Lennie are laying down by the fire the day before they head to their new job. Lennie asks George to tell him of the story that George has said so many times that it was stereo for him. George complied and started with the dream: "Ok. Someday - we're gonna get the jack together and we're gonna have a little house and a couple of acres an a cow and some pigs and -"(Steinbeck 14). This story always gave George and Lennie hope throughout the story. They always look forward to this dream of theirs and work to rack up the jack to reach that goal. This also gave George a way to calm Lennie and make him happier. The critic, Winifred Dusenbury, agrees with the theme of The American Dream giving hope. " The dream not only gives a direction of their lives, but also makes them feel different from other people. Since this sense of difference can mean little to Lennie, it is part of the consolation George receives from the dream. George wants to be superior."(Dusenbury) The critic is absolutely correct. Their American Dream gives them feel different by making them feel better. George does sometimes feel like Lennie is holding him back, but he wouldn't leave him for the world. One of the biggest themes in the story, Of Mice and Men, is The American Dream. It's stated multiple times in the story by George and Lennie chipping in. Their version of The American Dream gives them hope, happiness, faith, and a little pep in their step.