Futile dreams in of mice and men

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Gemma Thompson        11JKE         08/05/2007        

English essay

How far do you think Steinbeck presents dreams as futile in of mice and men?

Steinbeck presents a lot of dreams as futile in his novel of Mice and Men. All the characters dreams are different in their own personal way but all of their dreams come to be in a different place to where they are at now. They all yearn for something better in their lives. The underlying theme of futile dreams in this novel is expressed throughout Steinbeck’s novel throughout many characters.

The main dream in the novel of mice and men is that of George and Lennie living of the “fatta the lan’” getting their own place, being self-sufficient and not have to work on the ranch. The two of them are best friends and how different they may seem in the novel they both share this common goal;

“Some day 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…”

This shows they have thought about what they want in every little detail and truly believe it will happen.

Their ambition, as they put it, is to “Get the jack together,” purchase a few acres of land and call it their own. They want to be in their own little place where they are not scrutinised by society; to be away for others in the big wide world where it seems Lennie is not supposed to be.

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George and Lennie are not unique in wanting this dream but unique in the fact that they have each other and can rest on each other through their dream. They want to be in a place with no rules or regulations. This dream is so appealing that Candy and Crooks want to join the dream of owning their own farm. This is because George and Lennie are close to reaching their dream so Candy and Crooks can actually be part of it for once instead of dreaming it; they can create it. This dream of George and Lennie also ...

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