The American dream is the most famous dream that everyone chases. Many people try to achieve this dream but many do not achieve it. The novel Of Mice and Men was written by John Steinbeck in the 1930s. The novel details the struggles of many characters as they chase the American dream. The American dream was different for each person. The American dream for many people was to own their own home, have a good job, and be their own boss. Candy, the elderly cleaner, was a ranch worker who had lost a hand while working in the fields and was therefore not considered as important as the other ranch workers. Crooks is the ranch's stablemaster and is African American, so he is despised by the other workers. Curley's wife is the only woman living on the ranch and her American dream is to become a movie actress, but she fails because her mother doesn't allow her to leave and she ends up marrying Curley. Lennie travels with George and he has a learning difference. All of the minority groups described in this book have an American dream. Each group tries their best to achieve their dream, but ultimately fails to achieve it. Candy was part of the minority group of older people and her American dream is to have job security. Candy wants job security in her life because she is getting older. Candy then says, "They'll have me cleaned up soon. Just as soon as I can't sweep any dorms" (60). Candy feels considered less of a worker because he lost his hand. Candy asks to join George and Lennie's American Dream because they can give him job security and will allow him to be his own boss. When Candy's dream is shattered because Lennie kills Curley's wife, Candy blames... middle of paper... her American dream but failing to achieve it. Lennie represented the group of people who learned hardship. He had the same American dream as George. George represents how everyone has potential. George demonstrates this when he says, "I was only joking, George. I don't want ketchup. I wouldn't eat ketchup if it was right here next to me" (12). This quote shows that Lennie really has potential when he tries to make George feel better. Lennie also doesn't realize his American dream of owning rabbits and living on a farm with George. The reason for this is best described by this quote: "Don't worry. (107)" These are the lines spoken by George once he kills Lennie. Lennie represented people who had learning differences in this book. Even though he was close to achieving his American dream, he failed to achieve it.