The American Dream is seen as synonymous with money in contemporary culture, yet isn't it evident that some have a happy life without it? Seeing the extremely wealthy getting whatever they want, whenever they want may lead one to get caught up in the belief that money is everything. Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun and John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men are texts following the dreams of common Americans who end up losing them. Hansberry’s play tells the hardships which come with sudden changes. Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, however, tells the audience that the main reason dreams are destroyed is due to others. Lorraine Hansberry and John Steinbeck both display the futility of one’s American Dream by depicting its imminent dissipation through …show more content…
Walter hates his job and wishes he is the owner of a liquor store. This dream is constantly ruined for Walter and he finally decides to retaliate by skipping work. Ruth gets a call saying that if he doesn't go to work tomorrow, “‘You’re going to lose your job’ Walter: ‘That's right….’”(Hansberry, 105) This indifference of losing his job clearly shows that Walter realizes that a low income job will never get him to his American Dream. This is true to his actions because when Walter learns that he won't get the money, he doesn't even attempt to get money from a different source - he just mopes around thinking his American Dream is over. Whereas Walter almost loses his job due to its low income, Steinbeck shows that George and Lennie’s Job gives insufficient money in the first place. George and Lenny tell Candy about their American Dream of saving up to buy a house they could live in. Candy loves this idea and is willing to commit one half of the $600 cost, and asks if George and Lennie could commit now. George admits to having, “‘We got ten bucks between us.’ Then he said thoughtfully, ‘Look, if me an’ Lennie work a month an’ don’t spen’ nothing, we’ll have a hundred bucks.’”(Steinbeck, 25) This is in fact a very low wage, for during the 1930s, as the average wage is about $166 per month, while George and Lennie only make $100 combined. This lack of income economically keeps them away from their American Dream, meaning that if they had more money, they would be more likely to achieve their American Dream. By limiting their American Dream. Steinbeck is showing that the American Dream is unattainable without a strong