Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men and The Promise of the American Dream
Part 1: Not just about two guys, some dead animals and a ranch...
Before you even start reading the book, you need to think about these things so you get why Steinbeck is mad as hell and what he is trying to get us to think about:
These two sections from the American Constitution are basically legal statements about what America promises its people:
1) All men are created equal
2) they are guaranteed life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness
Divergent thinking:
So overall, what does America promise its people and why is it/why isn't it possible?
Part 2: The American Dream, simplified
In 1931, shortly before Steinbeck wrote the book, James Truslow Adams wrote, "life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement" regardless of social class or circumstances of birth.
What does that mean?
Basically the idea is that you can be what you want to be - that you are not held back by money, culture or prejudice - and if you work hard enough and try hard enough, you can be a success.
The writing on the Statue of Liberty image is from the poem written at the base of the statue. Given Trump's anti-immigration stance and the current political climate, it's hard to imagine that America once opened its arms to literally millions of immigrants who came with nothing but poverty and dreams. But it's this America that Steinbeck's characters live in - for those who believe in the American Dream, poverty should not stand in their way.
Discuss whether you think this is a noble ideal or a naive one, with evidence for both. You might want to consider famous people who have 'made it big' despite humble beginnings.
What are the dreams of the characters in Of Mice and Men?
Before you even start reading the book, you need to think about these things so you get why Steinbeck is mad as hell and what he is trying to get us to think about:
These two sections from the American Constitution are basically legal statements about what America promises its people:
1) All men are created equal
2) they are guaranteed life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness
Divergent thinking:
- First off, consider these statements in a positive light: why are these fundamentally good, strong principles to believe in and offer as a country?
- Secondly, do you think these ideals are practically possible? Why/not?
- Thirdly, look closely at the language...is there a 'catch'?
So overall, what does America promise its people and why is it/why isn't it possible?
Part 2: The American Dream, simplified
In 1931, shortly before Steinbeck wrote the book, James Truslow Adams wrote, "life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement" regardless of social class or circumstances of birth.
What does that mean?
Basically the idea is that you can be what you want to be - that you are not held back by money, culture or prejudice - and if you work hard enough and try hard enough, you can be a success.
The writing on the Statue of Liberty image is from the poem written at the base of the statue. Given Trump's anti-immigration stance and the current political climate, it's hard to imagine that America once opened its arms to literally millions of immigrants who came with nothing but poverty and dreams. But it's this America that Steinbeck's characters live in - for those who believe in the American Dream, poverty should not stand in their way.
Discuss whether you think this is a noble ideal or a naive one, with evidence for both. You might want to consider famous people who have 'made it big' despite humble beginnings.
What are the dreams of the characters in Of Mice and Men?
- Lennie truly believes. If he works hard enough, he can get the little ranch of his dreams and have pet rabbits.
- George...well, he'd like to believe (he sees it basically as a comfort story but sometimes Lennie's infectious hope makes him think it's really possible).
- Crooks (as the only African-American on the ranch) knows not to dream.
- Curley's wife had a dream to be in the movies and escape her life but had it turn to ash (was it ever really likely?).
- Candy just has a dream of not dying alone and of finding companionship.
- Slim is a realist - he accepts that life is cruel without ever becoming cruel himself. He accepts his life as it is and doesn't dream for anything else.
Part 3: Steinbeck's intentions/themes and messages in Of Mice and Men
So basically, the characters in Of Mice and Men, who represent millions of Americans, should be equal, should have the same opportunity for success and happiness as everyone else - if they just work hard enough.
Arguably, they do work hard. So why don't they succeed?
Ultimately, Steinbeck argues that it is down to these ideas (and others):
- The American Dream is broken.
- The American Dream is a lie, used to exploit people and given them the illusion of hope.
- If the American Dream is an illusion, like a bedtime story or a giant talking bunny, or red and green rabbits (this will make sense when you have read the novel), then what is the point of hoping for better? Life is just a series of painful obstacles with no meaning.
- Human beings are cruel and selfish and will not sacrifice their own comfort or power to protect or aid others.
- The weak and vulnerable are seen as a burden to society and cannot survive in such a harsh, cruel world.
- As the weakest in society, women, african-americans and the poor are the biggest burdens and the most powerless.
- Ultimately, we are all powerless to control our own lives and fate/destiny/a higher power mocks us when we try.
- The only release from all the pain, suffering and disappointment is death.
Oh. my. god.
World's most depressing book.
On the other hand, he also believes:
- Friendship, true friendship, is a rare and wonderful gift (OMAM is all about the bromance)
- We have a responsibility to care for the weak and vulnerable in society
- It is important not to forget the small, silent struggles of the invisible and forgotten in society
Part 4: oh yeah, that little thing called the Great Depression
No, it's not what you feel after reading the themes list.
Click on Historical Context to understand how hard life really was for millions of Americans when Steinbeck wrote the book: he's not just mad at the idea of America - he's mad at America's treatment of its people during the Depression.
Click on Historical Context to understand how hard life really was for millions of Americans when Steinbeck wrote the book: he's not just mad at the idea of America - he's mad at America's treatment of its people during the Depression.