The American Dream's Illusion

Traces the theme that the American Dream is an unattainable illusion for the itinerant workers, who are trapped in a cycle of poverty and loneliness.

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The Dream as a Story

The Fantasy of Land Ownership The Dream's Content The dream of owning a farm is a classic American Dream: land, independence, and self-sufficiency. It is a vision of a life free from the control of others. For George and Lennie, it is a way out of the itinerant worker's cycle. The Dream's Unreality The dream is a fantasy. It is based on a promise of a few acres from a man who is not reliable. The characters never verify the details. The dream is a story they tell themselves, not a real plan. The Function of the Dream The dream functions as a coping mechanism. It allows the characters to endure the present by imagining a better future. But the dream is also a trap, because it prevents them from seeing the reality of their situation.

The Dream's Failure

The Illusion Exposed The Destruction of the Dream Lennie's killing of Curley's wife destroys the dream. The characters realize that the dream was never possible. The fantasy is exposed as an illusion. The reality of the ranch world is too harsh. The Permanence of the Cycle George is left with nothing. He will likely continue working, drinking, and spending his money. The cycle of the itinerant worker is unbroken. The dream was a temporary escape, not a real solution. The Critique of the American Dream The novel suggests that the American Dream is a myth for the working class. The social and economic structures prevent them from achieving it. The dream is a cruel joke, a hope that is always out of reach.

The beginning of the novel

The end of the novel