Topic > The American Dream in Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

When we try to chase our dreams, we end up in our own tiny, lonely world. Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck, taught readers that the American dream can only be achieved through hard work and determination. More times than others we are distracted by the dream itself and do not chase reality, which can then lead to high expectations and, without hard determination, which can then fail. Ultimately, we have been alone for so long, chasing a dream, that when reality hits us, we become isolated and alone. For George and Lennie, they had each other, until the American dream seemed too difficult to chase. The friendship between the two men may be beneficial to both of them, but it is more beneficial to Lennie than to George. With an intellectual disability, without George to care for him, Lennie would end up dead or in prison. For George, even though he loves Lennie like a brother, he is just a burden that keeps him away from his American dream, money, a house and a girlfriend. George says, “God is powerful, if I were alone I could live so easily. I could go ...