Of_Mice_and_Men

The American Dream is a mentality shared by many people. In John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, George and Lennie share the American dream. They hope deep in their hearts that they will achieve their goal. George and Lennie’s dream brings them on a journey. On this journey their dream soon fades due to Lennie’s lack of awareness for destruction he has the ability to do. The dream of George and Lennie is one that is fairly common to most men. “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” (Steinbeck 14). It’s the one thing that brings a grin the size of a watermelon on their faces. George knows that once they accomplish this dream, Lennie will be free of trouble for the rest of their lives. Lennie just wants the dream so he can tend the rabbits. To accomplish this dream they need money so they go work on a ranch. It is on this ranch where trouble begins. While working on the ranch George and especially Lennie run into some obstacles. The main obstacle was Curley’s wife. From the beginning you she was going to lead to trouble from the minute Lennie first laid eyes on her. A few days go by and all is well on the ranch. Then one day while petting his pup Lennie kills it. Curley’s wife comes in. He explains to her he accidently killed it because he likes to pet soft things. Curley’s wife says she likes soft things also. She makes the big mistake when she tells to Lennie to pet her hair… “Here- feel right here...Feel right aroun’ there an’ see how soft it is” (90). Lennie grabs on and doesn’t let go. She struggles and Lennie snaps her neck leaving her dead. Lennie runs off leaving knowing their dream is nearing its end. The workers find the dead body of Curley’s wife. When George sees the body he is devastated. He knows the dream is over. He goes to find Lennie before the angry mob reaches him. He finds Lennie and tells him one last time about their dream. “We’ll have a cow…An’ we’ll have maybe a pig an’ chicken…an’ down the flat we’ll have a… little piece alfalfa” (105). Lennie giggles one last time “And I get to tend the rabbits” (105). Then George fires the bullet into the back of Lennie’s head ending the dream. Sometimes dreams are not full filled. This was the case with George and Lennie’s. However, great things come from going after dreams. In this case it was the great friendship between George and Lennie. And sometimes that is all that matters.