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Dreams In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

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The book Of Mice and Men was written in 1937 by John Steinbeck and takes place during the Great Depression in the 1930’s. The novel follows two migrant workers, Lennie and George, as they travel around California looking for work. When Lennie and George find jobs at a ranch in Salinas, California, they have to work extra hard just to be able to survive the harsh and cruel environment. Throughout the book, dreams of the characters are a reoccurring motif. Throughout the book, many of the characters share their past or present dreams with one another. The former dreams the characters hold onto, or the new goals they set for the future give them something pleasant to look forward to when the rest of their life is not as enjoyable. The strongest and most reoccurring dream is Lennie and George’s. Lennie and George rely on each other throughout the book and need each other to make it. They are polar opposites; George is a small, smart, pugnacious man, and Lennie is sweet, giant, and slow. The qualities that Lennie lacks, such as his intelligence, George helps …show more content…
Since George takes care of Lennie, Lennie wants the opportunity to be able to care for his own little creatures. George always tells Lennie he will let him tend to the rabbits, but only if he behaves. This is a way for Lennie to be motivated to do well and not cause trouble. By making the rabbits a “reward” for Lennie, he has something to always look forward to. “‘But I get to tend ‘em,’ Lennie broke in. ‘George says I get to tend ‘em. He promised’” (75). The idea of the rabbits gives Lennie a little ounce of hope to hold onto whenever anything is bad. When Lennie is scared, he just thinks about how if he behaves and does what George says, he will get his rabbits. The dreams that George and Lennie share inspire them to make the most out of their situation in hope that they will get what they wish

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