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The Importance Of Dreams In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

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An abundance of useful lessons can be found in literature. These lessons can be interpreted and related to real life. One such lesson, the impossibility of a perfect dream coming to fruition, is often expressed. An example of this is in John Steinbeck’s classic novel, Of Mice and Men. One character in this novel, Candy, had hoped to settle down in the near future, but this dream was inevitably broken. Candy, the aforementioned character, was the swamper in Steinbeck’s novel. He had a strong ambition to join George Milton’s and Lennie Small’s future dream ranch. Candy had just lost his dog, had no living relatives, and disliked his current occupation, so he was really looking forward to this plan. Candy shows his excitement, along with Milton and Small, “They all sat still, all bemused by the beauty of the thing [the dream],” (Steinbeck 60). At this point in time, the dream had seemed actually possible to all three men, especially since Candy had offered such a large sum for the purchase of the ranch. Since Candy had nothing else to look forward to, he soon realized that this dream was everything to him. …show more content…
Curley, the victim’s husband, swore revenge on Small. Milton protected Small of a painful death and gave him a more peaceful one. Milton realizes what has to be done to protect Small from himself, and for the greater good, and acts on it, “The hand [of Milton] shook violently, but his face set and his hand steadied. He pulled the trigger [to the back of Small’s head].” (Steinbeck 106). Since one of the men was now dead, the dream had been shattered. The dream had been so dear to Candy and it had been so close to happening, but with Milton’s companion dead, it was never

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SHOULD
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