Furthermore, Curley’s wife makes it more difficult for them to achieve their dream. This is made evident to the reader upon her introduction when George warns Lennie to stay away from her, saying “don’t you even look at that bitch”. An immediate judgement is made upon Curley’s wife by George, implying that if after a short conversation George feels so strongly against her, then it is almost certain that she will make something go wrong for them. The reader learns as Lennie does that Curley’s wife poses a threat to their dream, and forebodes that she will have a derogatory affect upon it.
George also uses many insulting names in reference to her, including “jailbait”, suggesting that she is what will eventually lure them to their demise. This is reiterated in the structure in which Curley’s wife is presented. She always enters when the dream is being spoken of, and upon her entrance, the conversation comes to an abrupt stop. This is the situation when she is first introduced to the reader, and the “sunshine in the doorway [is] cut off”. Curley’s wife stops them from talking about the dream, and also on her first introduction physically cuts off the light in the room in which they are in. This symbolises how her entrance into their lives instantly destroys all hope of achieving their dreams; this is the moments at which the reader knows the dream will never come true, and Curley’s wife will be the one to end it. All in all this emphasises the idea that Steinbeck considers the dream to be an unattainable illusion.
Steinbeck seems to think that the American dream is presented to be almost too perfect, with “grass and trees [to] simulate the country”. The verb “simulate” suggests that the dream is a fake concept that will never become a reality. Exaggeration is used to express that even if it did come true, it would still never fulfil the original expectations. This accentuates Steinbeck’s idea that the American dream is unattainable.
In George’s description of the American dream, it is shown in an idyllic light. The house they intend to live has “got a kitchen, orchard, cherries, apples, peaches, ‘cots, nuts, got a few berries”. The listing is used to highlight the extent of all the things George and Lennie ill have, as though there will be no end to their possessions. Steinbeck also shows how unrealistic these dreams are, as they are still only hoping they can “swing” the property for the amount of money they have. They are not certain that they will get it, as they do not have enough money to meet the asking price. However as well as believing they will get it, they have also deluded themselves that they will have all of these luxuries afterwards. They seem to forget that this will all require more money which they will not have. Steinbeck suggests again that the American dream blinds the population to the extent where not even their common sense is applied to it.
Similarly Steinbeck uses modal verbs to show how George and Lennie’s perception of their dream changes from a possibility to an intention. They begin by saying “we’d jus’ live there”, but soon say “we’ll go live there”. This change from “would” to “will” creates a shift from suggestion to expectation. The reader has already anticipated that the characters will not achieve their dream, so this creates sympathy for the characters. Steinbeck presents the idea of how even if you know it is impossible for something to come true as George does, the desperation to believe it can eventually makes you oblivious to the impracticality of it. This desperation and longing for more on George and Lennie’s parts makes them as representatives in the novella of all migrant workers during the Great Depression seem tragic.
Steinbeck builds George and Lennie’s dream as the exact opposite of the migrant worker lifestyle. The characters believe “[they]’d belong there”, and the repetitive use of the verb “belong” highlights the dramatic difference between their life now and the life they envisage in their dream. Steinbeck describes the American dream as a sense of permanency; the dream is “the hunger for home … [and] home is a permanent seat”. The life of migrant workers is the antithesis to this, with a complete lack of stability. This is enhances Steinbeck’s concern that the American dream id too ideal and therefore unlikely to ever come true for anyone.
Steinbeck implies through the references to George’s childhood that the American dream is based purely on nostalgia. This is demonstrated when George says, “I could build a smoke house like the one gran’pa had … an’ we’d keep a few pigeons to go flyin’ around the win’mill like they done when I was a kid”. His dream is based on positive memories of his past, suggesting that he wants to go back to the place where he felt safe as a child, and therefore all of the positive memories are being reflected on his future dream. This may be the only reason he has the dream; he does not really believe it will come true. It is based on nostalgia rather than sense and probability, making George’s emotions very vulnerable as his dream is not likely to come true.
George and Lennie’s dream is shown as not being personal or individual to them in any way. This is shown when Crooks say that he “see[s] hundreds of men come by … [with] that same damn thing in their heads. Hundreds of them”. The repetition of “hundreds” emphasises just how many other men there are like George and Lennie; all migrant workers have the same dream. However they are all so desperate to believe that theirs will come true, they deny that they are not different. If there is nothing original about their idea, then they are doing the same as all the other migrant workers who have not achieved their dreams. Steinbeck also describes the dream as a “pattern of thinking”; showing that there is no individuality or originality and that everyone thinks the same. The American dream is something that has been taught to all unsuccessful people. However if it was real, many more people would have succeeded.
Steinbeck uses George and Lennie’s dream to convey his concerns regarding the dreams of all migrant workers during the Great Depression. George and Lennie’s dream is portrayed as idyllic, nostalgic and impersonal. Combined, these things clearly convey Steinbeck’s idea of the American dream being unattainable, yet hopelessly believed by many.
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