In "Of Mice and Men", Steinbeck shows the desire of George and Lennie for a piece of land of their own as a representation of the American dream and how unattainable it can be for the common man.The "American Dream" also is what keeps people going even when all their chips are down, the hope of winning. Steinbeck carefully crafts the idea that dreams can come true and then just as carefully shows you the destruction of these dreams.The two main characters in this novel are George and Lennie: their relationship is built on caring and trust. George and Lennie are willing to do just about anything for each other yet Steinbeck shows that even though they care for each other it is not enough to achieve their dream. Showing that the dream can be obtained is what supports the fact that America is the land of opportunity and the failure of the dream shows what in reality happens to a majority of Americans.
Of Mice and Men was written during the 1930's at the time America was immersed in the Great Depression. Jobs were scarce and job security was being threaten by expansion of technology in the farming industry. Having a dream was a way of helping many Americans escape the harsh reality of the Great Depression. "But Of Mice and Men is not simply about dreaming in general, for the nature of the dream at the center of this story is specially related to Steinbeck's critical understanding of a specific aspect society in his contemporary California(Attell)." George and Lennie have the dream of owning land. The dream here for George represents the end of his wandering days searching for work. The farm for him represents stability. He is tired of wandering and the loneliness that comes from being an itinerant worker. "Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world.They ain't got nothing to look ahead to. With us it ain't like that. We got a future(Steinberg, 13 & 14)." .
For Lennie the dream represents a rabbit of his own to pet.
