crooks american dream essay

Crooks’ Dreams: a Reflection of Social Inequalities in “Of Mice and Men”

How it works

• 1 The Elusive American Dream
• 2 Lennie’s Unattainable Desire
• 3 Crooks’ Dreams and Power Dynamics
• 4 Subjugation of Women and Age

The Elusive American Dream

The author of Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, masterfully crafts a compelling argument about how people of varying social classes were treated differently by society at a time when people needed people most. The story Steinbeck creates follows two main characters, an average working-class man named George and a huge man who is physically strong but mentally disabled. Steinbeck uses power structure throughout the novel to show how disadvantaged archetypes are often treated as inferior.

Steinbeck’s main argument is that the American dream is almost impossible to achieve by those put at a social disadvantage by mind, body, race, gender, and even age.

Lennie’s Unattainable Desire

Lennie is, scientifically put, intellectually disabled. Lennie has quite a simple American dream. Lennie wants to tend rabbits. It could be argued that Lennie’s goal is to live off the fat of the land, but when it boils down to its simplest form, Lennie wants some rabbits to pet. Now, having rabbits is more complex than it sounds; to have rabbits, you need a place to put them; to have a place to put them, you need land. This is where George comes into play. George is essentially Lennie’s guardian, ensuring Lennie’s childish mindset does not cause him to be put to death.

Regarding power structure, George is the major authoritarian in Lennie’s life. This passage demonstrates this when Lennie says: “George ain’t gonna let me tend no rabbits now” (Steinbeck 87). This illustrates how George dictates what Lennie can and cannot do. The dream to live off the fat of the land belongs to George. Unfortunately for George, this dream is nearly impossible for him to attain, but alas, God has burdened him to watch over Lennie. Despite this, the story puts them in a position where, against all odds, the dream is within grasp. At this point, Lennie’s straightforward dumbness shatters the whole plan. Curley’s Wife treats Lennie as a child; this is a mistake. Upon asking him to sit and chat, she invites him to satisfy his desire to pet something soft in her hair. Lennie snaps her neck and ends up in a situation without a solution. Because society treated Lennie as a child, his dream was shattered.

Crooks’ Dreams and Power Dynamics

Crooks is a character representative of two different social disadvantages. A crook is a black man with a crooked spine; during this period, black people were looked down on as inferior, and it certainly did not help that he had a physical handicap, as a horse kicked him at a young age. Crooks has been sentenced to a life as a stable buck by society. Regardless of his dream, it would be unattainable, lest his dream was to do manual labor and live in a horse barn for the remainder of his existence. This is undoubtedly unfair as he was born black, and society scorned him for it, and it is near impossible to prevent a horse that wants to kick you from kicking you. Despite all of this, he has an exciting power structure dynamic.

Crooks seems to have power over Lennie even though he is a black man, as this quote demonstrates: “You got no right to come in my room…” (Steinbeck 68). This is directed at Lennie; it was unheard of at the time for a black man to command a white man, but here Crooks does, and Lennie does not do anything about it. Overall, Crooks was unfairly disadvantaged from birth, but despite this, he still had power over a mentally inferior white man.

Subjugation of Women and Age

Curley’s Wife was considered so vastly unimportant that she did not even earn the luxury of having a name on the farm. Curley’s Wife could have had a name; she allegedly had an agent that could have made her famous. However, her man, who in this period essentially owned her, said no; he made her stay on the farm to be a good wife, and he would keep his hand soft for her. She was expected to do as her husband pleased because she was a woman living in the early 20th century. Just by being born a woman, society forced her to drop her dream because a man said otherwise.

Candy was disprivileged by age. Though Candy was not treated quite as lowly as the other inferior archetypes, he was still treated as inferior to the other men. This is shown when he is left behind when the others go into town: “Candy’s voice answered. ‘Slim went in town…'” (Steinbeck 74). This shows that Candy was left behind with Crooks, Lennie, and Curley’s Wife when the other guys went out on the town. Though Candy was not treated like an object, an animal, or discriminated against, he still was not treated like one of the boys.

At one time, he may have exhibited more kindness and social ability, but now, in his old age, he is treated like a tender child; this is also shown when (Candy’s dog shooter) kills Candy’s dog for him so he will not have to suffer, this is done in a similar fashion that a father comforting a child would do if their dog had to be put down. Overall, though not treated poorly in the same way as many others, Candy is still not treated as a regular blue-collar worker, and the most exciting part is that Candy does not seem to care that he is treated so.

In conclusion, the book Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck skillfully implemented varying-sized nods to how characters are variably treated due to a social structure that marks them as inferior. This is exhibited throughout the book through multiple characters, such as Lennie, a man born mentally inferior. Crooks was born with a skin color that made him inferior to his fellow man. Curley’s Wife was born into a period when disobeying a man was more of a crime than being beaten by one. Society disregards Candy and casts him away just because he has lived past his prime. All of these characters were representative of a whole archetype of similar people who lived in this time of social injustice. By doing this, Steinbeck weaves a web representing how the American dream is unachievable by those who have been placed under the boots of society.

• Steinbeck, J. (1937). Of Mice and Men. New York: Covici, Friede.

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Discuss the theme of the American Dream in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men

Table of Contents

John Steinbeck’s novella, “ Of Mice and Men, ” published in 1937, explores the lives of itinerant workers during the Great Depression. One of the prominent themes within the narrative is the elusive concept of the American Dream. Through the characters of George Milton and Lennie Small, Steinbeck delves into the pursuit of a better life and the obstacles that impede the realization of this dream. This essay will analyze how the American Dream manifests itself in “Of Mice and Men” and how it reflects the harsh realities of the era.

The Nature of the American Dream: The American Dream is a concept deeply rooted in the country’s history and culture, embodying the belief that hard work and determination can lead to success, prosperity, and happiness.

American Dream in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men:- In “Of Mice and Men,” Steinbeck portrays this dream as a beacon of hope for individuals seeking an escape from their troubled lives. The characters’ aspirations, however, highlight the challenges and limitations of this dream.

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George and Lennie’s Dream: George and Lennie, the central characters of the novella, share a dream of owning a piece of land and becoming self-sufficient. This dream represents their desire for stability, independence, and freedom from the harsh realities of their current existence.

American Dream in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men:- George describes their dream as having “a little house and a couple of acres,” where they can “live off the fatta the lan'” and be their own bosses.

The Dream as a Protective Shield: The dream serves as a protective shield for George and Lennie, providing them with a sense of purpose and hope amidst the adversity they face. It acts as a motivating force, allowing them to endure the harsh conditions of their laborious lives.

American Dream in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men:- Their dream gives them something to strive for, anchoring their bond and providing a glimmer of light in an otherwise dark world.

The Illusory Nature of the Dream: Despite the dream’s allure, Steinbeck subtly reveals its illusory nature. The odds are stacked against George and Lennie, as they face numerous obstacles that make their dream seem unattainable.

American Dream in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men:- The harsh reality of the Great Depression, the transient nature of their work, and Lennie’s mental limitations pose significant challenges to their aspirations.

Broken Dreams: Steinbeck introduces various characters whose dreams have been shattered. Curley’s wife, for example, aspires to be an actress but is trapped in a loveless marriage and a suffocating environment. Crooks, the African-American stable hand, dreams of being treated with dignity and respect but is constantly reminded of his marginalized status.

American Dream in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men:- These characters serve as cautionary examples, highlighting the fragility of dreams and the barriers that hinder their realization.

The Corrupting Influence of the American Dream: Steinbeck also explores the corrupting influence of the American Dream on characters like Curley and Carlson. Curley, driven by his desire for power and dominance, exemplifies the dark side of the dream, displaying aggression and an abusive nature. Carlson, on the other hand, prioritizes material possessions over human connections, showcasing the dehumanizing effects of the pursuit of wealth.

Of Mice and Men “Summary”

“Of Mice and Men” is a novella written by John Steinbeck and published in 1937. Set during the Great Depression in the United States, it tells the story of two displaced ranch workers, George Milton and Lennie Small, who dream of owning their own piece of land.

American Dream in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men:- The story begins with George and Lennie arriving at a ranch in Soledad, California, where they have been hired as temporary workers. George is a small, intelligent man, while Lennie is large and mentally challenged but possesses immense physical strength. Despite their differences, they have formed a close friendship, with George acting as a protector and caretaker for Lennie.

The other ranch workers are initially suspicious of George and Lennie’s close bond, but they eventually accept them. George reveals to Slim, a respected worker, that they are fleeing from trouble in Weed, where Lennie’s innocent fascination with touching soft things led to a misunderstanding and nearly got them in trouble with the law.

American Dream in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men:- As George and Lennie settle into their routine on the ranch, they encounter various characters. Candy, an aging ranch hand with a missing hand, becomes interested in their dream of owning a piece of land, and offers to contribute his savings to their cause. The boss’s son, Curley, is aggressive and confrontational, and he takes an immediate dislike to Lennie. Curley’s wife, who remains unnamed throughout the story, seeks attention and companionship from the ranch workers, particularly Lennie.

Lennie’s love for soft things and his lack of understanding of his own strength become central to the plot. He accidentally kills a puppy that he was petting too roughly, which devastates him. Meanwhile, Curley’s wife, in an attempt to engage in conversation with Lennie, allows him to stroke her hair. However, when Lennie becomes too rough, she screams, and Lennie, fearing he will get into trouble, unintentionally breaks her neck in a panic.

American Dream in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men:- Realizing the severity of the situation, George knows that Lennie will be hunted down and likely killed. To save his friend from a cruel fate, George makes a difficult decision. He finds Lennie in their designated meeting spot by a river and shares their dream one last time, offering reassurance and describing the life they will have on their own farm. He then shoots Lennie in the back of the head, sparing him from a painful death at the hands of others.

The novella concludes with the other ranch workers discovering the tragic events and their mixed reactions. George, burdened by the weight of his actions, must face the consequences of his decision to protect Lennie.

American Dream in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men:- “Of Mice and Men” explores themes of companionship, dreams, isolation, and the harsh realities of life. It delves into the lives of individuals affected by the economic and social conditions of the Great Depression, highlighting the vulnerability of those who are marginalized and the challenges they face in pursuit of their dreams.

John Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men” offers a poignant exploration of the American Dream during the Great Depression. Through the characters of George and Lennie, Steinbeck portrays the yearning for a better life, independence, and stability. However, the novella also exposes the challenging realities that obstruct the realization of this dream.

American Dream in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men:- The dream serves as a protective shield, providing hope and purpose in the face of adversity. It symbolizes the pursuit of happiness and the desire for a sense of belonging. Yet, Steinbeck skillfully reveals the illusory nature of this dream, showcasing the barriers and limitations that make it seem unattainable.

Broken dreams embodied by characters like Curley’s wife and Crooks serve as cautionary tales, highlighting the fragility of aspirations and the oppressive forces that can crush them. Additionally, Steinbeck explores the corrupting influence of the American Dream, exposing how it can lead to power struggles, materialism, and the devaluation of human connections.

The tragic conclusion of the novella emphasizes the sacrifices and harsh realities often associated with the pursuit of the American Dream. George’s heartbreaking decision to protect Lennie from a cruel fate demonstrates the difficult choices one may face when faced with insurmountable obstacles.

“Of Mice and Men” challenges the idealistic notion of the American Dream by revealing its complexities and the harsh conditions that can hinder its fulfillment. It serves as a reminder that dreams are not easily achieved, and individuals may encounter numerous barriers and setbacks along the way.

American Dream in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men:- Steinbeck’s masterful portrayal of the American Dream in “Of Mice and Men” contributes to a deeper understanding of the human condition and the struggles faced by marginalized individuals during the Great Depression. The novella serves as a timeless reflection on the pursuit of dreams and the limitations of the social and economic structures that shape our lives.

Q: Who are the main characters in “Of Mice and Men”?

A: The main characters in “Of Mice and Men” are George Milton and Lennie Small, two migrant workers who travel together and dream of owning their own land. Other significant characters include Candy, an aging ranch worker; Curley, the boss’s son; Curley’s wife, who is never given a name; Slim, a skilled and respected ranch hand; and Crooks, the African-American stable hand.

Q: Where and when does the story take place?

A: The story takes place during the Great Depression in the 1930s, primarily on a ranch in Soledad, California.

Q: What is the plot of “Of Mice and Men”?

A: “Of Mice and Men” follows the journey of George and Lennie, who are searching for work as ranch hands during the Great Depression. They arrive at a ranch and encounter various characters with their own dreams and struggles. George and Lennie share a dream of owning their own land, which gives them hope and purpose. However, Lennie’s mental limitations and uncontrollable strength pose challenges, and the dream ultimately meets a tragic end.

Q: What is the theme of “Of Mice and Men”?

A: One of the main themes in “Of Mice and Men” is the pursuit of the American Dream. The characters, particularly George and Lennie, yearn for a better life and the freedom that comes with owning their own land. The novella also explores themes of friendship, loneliness, power dynamics, discrimination, and the harsh realities of the Great Depression.

Q: What is the significance of the title “Of Mice and Men”?

A: The title “Of Mice and Men” is taken from Robert Burns’ poem “To a Mouse.” It reflects the unpredictability and vulnerability of dreams and plans. The poem emphasizes how both humans and animals can be victims of circumstances beyond their control, which resonates with the characters and events in the novella.

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Of Mice and Men

John steinbeck.

Ask LitCharts AI: The answer to your questions

The American Dream of every individual’s right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” has been ingrained within American society since the writing of the Declaration of Independence , when the phrase made its first appearance. George and Lennie ’s dream of working hard and saving enough money to buy their own farm and “live off the fatta the lan” symbolizes the concrete ways in which the American Dream serves as an idealized goal for poor and working-class Americans even in the darkest and hardest of times. Through Of Mice and Men , however, Steinbeck argues that while throughout American history—and especially during the Great Depression—the American Dream has at best been an illusion and at worst a trap, unattainable dreams are still necessary, in a way, to make life in America bearable.

The Great Depression represented the end of an era of the American Dream—the artistic and economic innovation and prosperity of the “Roaring Twenties” came to a short, decisive stop, and American society went into crisis mode. In the midst of this sudden shift, many felt like the rug had been pulled out from under them—this sentiment and perspective is echoed in George and Lennie’s insistence on pursuing their dream of a peaceful, sustainable life of ease and independence even as they are in the depths of an economic crisis which threatens not just their plans, but their very lives. Though little is known of George and Lennie’s background, it is clear that they grew up together in Auburn, a Gold Rush town that boomed in the late 1800s but suffered by the 1920s as gold prices dropped. Families hoping to make their fortune in gold continued to flock to Auburn, and soon Auburn was overrun by people camping by the river, hoping to pan for gold in the water in light of the closed mines in town. George and Lennie, then, appear to be fleeing a town where there’s nothing left for them, chasing their own dream even as they shut out the knowledge that there are countless people like them—many in their very own hometown—pursuing dreams just as broken and hopeless as their own.

George and Lennie encounter hostility and calamity, it seems, nearly everywhere they go. In this way, Steinbeck portrays the gritty reality of trying to make it in America as a poor itinerant worker. Their struggles are almost always as a result of Lennie’s inability to function normally within the bounds of social codes and contracts. His childlike nature draws him to soft, pleasant, cute things—but his immense strength and huge physical frame make him an object of fear. Lennie is unable to understand why people keep rejecting him, or why he keeps killing the mice, puppies , and other soft animals he enjoys holding and stroking. George, rather than helping Lennie to control his strength or his impulses, continues stoking Lennie’s dream of having limitless rabbits to tend and pet whenever he wants. George knows, on some level, that for either him or Lennie to confront the truth about Lennie—that he is a burden, and a dangerous one at that—would tear them apart. As a result, he retreats into a dream of he and Lennie having their own farm: a distinctly American dream of self-made independence, plenty, and harmony. Candy , another laborer on the ranch where George and Lennie find work, is also swept up in the romantic vision of owning a farm, offering up his savings to help secure a plot of land. This dream is unrealistic by any standards, and in light of George and Lennie’s financial insolvency and social struggles, impossible. In order to make their rootless, dangerous, and directionless existence more bearable, however, George and Lennie cling tightly to the dream of America they’ve manufactured together. Lennie and George were raised on promises of prosperity and independence tied to a sensibility rooted in the expansiveness of the American West—but the dreams they were led to believe could be their reality have evaporated as the West has turned from a place of potential and riches to one of dust, emptiness, and squandered potential.

Even though George and Lennie never achieve their dream, it is what keeps them going in the darkest of times. Indeed, even as George prepares to execute Lennie with Carlson’s rifle in the novella’s final pages, George urges Lennie to stare off into the distance as George narrates the familiar details of their shared dream: a “little place” all their own. Steinbeck closes the novella with George shooting Lennie to protect him from a worse death at the hands of the angry ranch laborers who are out for vengeance. This tragic act of violence in the midst of George and Lennie’s “dream” shows that for George, this vision of the America he was promised is ultimately just a fantasy—unattainable yet necessary in order to bear the difficult reality of life.

The American Dream ThemeTracker

The American Dream Quotes in Of Mice and Men

“Well, we ain't got any,” George exploded. “Whatever we ain't got, that's what you want. God a'mighty, if I was alone I could live so easy. I could go get a job an' work, an' no trouble....An' whatta I got,” George went on furiously. “I got you! You can't keep a job and you lose me ever' job I get. Jus' keep me shovin' all over the country all the time. An' that ain't the worst. You get in trouble. You do bad things and I got to get you out.”

“Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don't belong no place. […] With us it ain't like that. We got a future.”

[…] Lennie broke in. “ But not us! An’ why? Because...because I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you, and that's why .”

“Well,” said George, “we'll have a big vegetable patch and a rabbit hutch and chickens. And when it rains in the winter, we'll just say the hell with goin' to work, and we'll build up a fire in the stove and set around it an' listen to the rain comin' down on the roof.”

“We could live offa the fatta the lan'.”

“S'pose they was a carnival or a circus come to town, or a ball game, or any damn thing." Old Candy nodded in appreciation of the idea. "We'd just go to her," George said. "We wouldn't ask nobody if we could. Jus' say, 'We'll go to her,' an' we would. Jus' milk the cow and sling some grain to the chickens an' go to her.”

“I seen hundreds of men come by on the road an' on the ranches, with their bindles on their back an' that same damn thing in their heads [. . .] every damn one of 'em's got a little piece of land in his head. An' never a God damn one of 'em ever gets it. Just like heaven. Ever'body wants a little piece of lan'. I read plenty of books out here. Nobody never gets to heaven, and nobody gets no land.”

“I think I knowed from the very first. I think I knowed we'd never do her. He usta like to hear about it so much I got to thinking maybe we would.”

“No, Lennie. I ain't mad. I never been mad, an' I ain't now. That's a thing I want ya to know.”

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Of Mice and Men — Representation of the American Dream in “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck

Representation of The American Dream in "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck

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Published: Jun 29, 2018

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Mice and Men theme essay - The American Dream is and illusion

JakeCarter 1 / 2   Oct 21, 2014   #2 Hi Hannah, I just read your essay on regarding the fallibility of the American dream and I have a few points which I feel are important to mention. Firstly, one thing about the essay that stood out to me was your structuring of it, which I thought was very good. By this I mean, you were successful in being able to position specific points mentioned in the introduction within the main body paragraphs, which is generally something that most students fail to do as they tend to digress into meaningless jargon that does not relate to the title question. This was what I picked up on a general level and is not to say that there aren't points within the essay where you have gone off into unnecessary talk, because there are occasional glimpses. Furthermore, I think IF you do tend to digress from the subject matter momentarily, in the future, perhaps try to link the extra material in an insightful way to the actual title question as this could gain you extra AO3 marks which could ultimately take you up a grade. I did pick up on a few spelling errors and mistake in punctuation and grammar which I think need tending to if you have an extra 5 minutes to read over it. RE-reading your essay will help you tremendously in the future just so you can be absolutely sure that there are no silly errors or potentially significant ones that might give the examiner the wrong idea. Overall, I feel that this essay has the potential to be a VERY strong one ( B/A/perhaps A* ) if you are willing to correct some clear silly errors and take some time to build up reinforced contexual knowledge. Thanks for the submission and keep striving for greatness! All the best, Jake

OP Hannah_C 1 / 1   Oct 25, 2014   #3 Thank you very much :) I considered all your point and changed my essay accordingly, I have handed it in to my teacher and am awaiting feedback. Your comment helped me to improve my essay and to, in future, gain higher marks. Thank you again, Hannah