Of Mice and Men – by John Steinbeck
Analytical Essay
Of Mice and Men is a novel written by John Steinbeck set in America around the 1930’s in the Great Depression. Of Mice and Men is a book based on the lives of two migrants, who have a dream that they both aspire to. The question that will be answered in this essay is: What hopes and dreams comfort the characters in Steinbeck’s novel? Lennie, the less dominant of the two migrants, is the one who aspires most to this dream in relation of being able to tend rabbits, and when Candy finds out about their dream – it becomes something all three of them are willing to fulfill.
Lennie, the more dependent of the two migrants, shows more belief in their dream, especially to tend the rabbits. Firstly, the reason behind why Lennie has more belief is because he values tending rabbits so much. For example, Lennie asks George to tell him about their dream and he asks, ““an’ rabbits””, and he goes on to elaborate the relationship which he is willing to be responsible for when he says, ““an’ I’d take care of ‘em. Tell how I’d do that George.”” (85) George always repeats the dream when Lennie asks him to, as it binds them together and it is one thing Lennie values most. Furthermore, George uses the dream as a means of keeping Lennie with him and to keep him moving, even though he comprehends the fact that it will never be accomplished. However, he does respect it as it means his friendship. When Candy asks George, ““You an’ me can get that little place, can’t we, George?”” George drops his head and replies “softly: “– I think I knowed from the very first. I think I knowed we’d never do her””. (131) However, George is ready to fulfill the dream when Candy says that he has ““two hundred and fifty dollars”” and ““fifty more saved up right in the bank.”” (87) Steinbeck uses Lennie as a character to symbolize dreams, when Lennie dies so does the dream.
