The Great Depression, an era in which America had faced its longest trade recession in her history, bringing the country toward a stand still. People were fleeing like bees, running after jobs and money. Jobless men started to tour the country moving from state to state. Oklahoma and Arkansas faced the worst when farmers land was taken away. Historical records showed that a number of 30,000 people migrated to the state of California. ‘Where the grass was green, the soil was good and hopes were made’. Due to the Great depression, Steinbeck felt pushed out of his own state. From here he was able to draw on a situation and portray the ambitious dream resulting form the Great depression.
George Milton and Lennie Small, both drifters, have nobody but each other. A dream absorbed in their minds, a dream in which someday they will have their own place, a place in which they could call home. Working in Salinas Valley, California, they hope to fulfil their dream. Lennie shows a downfall and their lives are horrified and their dream is no longer achievable. Of Mice and Men shows an excellent aspect toward real life situation especially at that time in California.
Steinbeck shows and gives a great example of how the American dream was futile. The American dream is a vision in which all Americans are wanting to achieve. The success of owning their land and to once become bosses. Everybody is equal and all have a role to play in life. Everybody has enough to build a good home, make money and build a better life for themselves. Except black people. Despite the fact slavery had been over for a long period of time, thoughts and attitudes towards blacks were critical. Black people were not seen as important, but were only useful for menial jobs.
‘The best laid schemes Gang Aft Agley’ (often goes wrong). The best laid schemes often go wrong, due to the effect of loneliness and depression. Everybody has to work and help one another, without a helping hand, their hopes will not turn into reality. The American dream represents a way in which people may escape from a lonely place. They set themselves a goal and they are determined to achieve it.
George and Lennie place hopes in their minds and say to each other what they are going to achieve. Here they become motivated and set their mind away from the lonely situation. They believe that they will make enough to live ‘off the fat of the land’. They hope to become their own bosses. All this is a result from the American dream and the loneliness of the American man.
