The American Dream

The American Dream as Context for Of Mice and Men

The American Deam was an ideal which many people had when they emigrated to America. It captured a sense of opportunity and hope. But it was an ideal and not obtainable.

Declaration of Independence

The American Dream is the belief that America is a land of opportunity, and this is rooted in the Declaration of Independence. This states that “all men are created equal” and everybody has the right to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”.

George and Lennie

George and Lennie’s dream of owning “a little place” (Lennie, Section 4) of their own and enjoying the freedom which comes with self-sufficiency or, as they say, living “off the fatta the lan’”, is a typical example of the American Dream, and is something that many ranch workers of the 1930s would have aspired to achieve.

Curley's wife

Curley’s wife’s unfulfilled dream to be “in the movies” (Curley’s wife, Section 5) is also a typical interpretation of the American Dream: the idea that an ordinary working-class girl can make it in Hollywood.

Failure to achieve the American Dream

None of the characters in Of Mice and Men are successful in achieving their ‘American dreams’.
- This means Steinbeck could be criticising the concept of the American Dream, suggesting that the idea that “all men are created equal” is false.

Racism and the American Dream

Through his presentation of Crooks, Steinbeck also seems to be making the point that the American Dream is only for white people and that black people like Crooks are supposed to be satisfied with being treated like second-class citizens.

1Context & Overview

1.1Context & Overview

1.1.1The Great Depression

1.1.2Racism

1.1.3The American Dream

1.1.4Of Mice & Men

1.2John Steinbeck

1.2.1John Steinbeck's Life

1.2.2End of Topic Test - Context & Overview

2Plot

2.1Section 1 - Analysis

2.1.1Section 1 - Plot

2.1.2Section 1 - Overview

2.2Section 2 - Analysis

2.2.1Section 2 - Plot

2.2.2Section 2 - Overview

2.3Section 3 - Analysis

2.3.1Section 3 - Plot

2.3.2Section 3 - Overview

2.3.3End of Topic Test - Sections 1-3

2.4Section 4 - Analysis

2.4.1Section 4 - Plot

2.4.2Section 4 - Overview

2.5Section 5 - Analysis

2.5.1Section 5 - Plot

2.5.2Section 5 - Overview

2.6Section 6 - Analysis

2.6.1Section 6 - Plot

2.6.2Section 6 - Overview

2.6.3End of Topic Test - Sections 4-6

3Key Characters

3.1Main Characters

3.1.1George

3.1.2Lennie - Strength

3.1.3Lennie - Innocence & Dependence

3.1.4Slim

3.1.5Curley

3.1.6Curley's Wife - Flirtatious

3.1.7Curley's Wife - Lonely & Heartbroken

3.1.8Crooks

3.1.9Candy

3.1.10End of Topic Test - George & Lennie

3.1.11End of Topic Test - Slim, Curley & Curley's Wife

3.2Minor Characters

3.2.1Minor Characters

3.2.2End of Topic Test - Crooks, Candy & Others

4Themes

4.1Key Themes

4.1.1Hopes, Dreams & Reality

4.1.2Racial Prejudice

4.1.3Loneliness & Companionship

4.1.4The Weak & Strong

4.1.5Women

4.1.6End of Topic Test - Key Themes

5Authorial Method

5.1Writing Techniques

5.1.1Dialogue

5.1.2Imagery

5.1.3Light

5.1.4Sound

5.1.5Symbolism

5.1.6Structure

5.1.7End of Topic Test - Writing Techniques

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