Agenda:
1. Journal for 5 - 7 minutes on personal dreams and goals, the attributes we assign to those who achieve their dreams.
2. We watched a short film from PBS about the American Dream.
3. We identified whether we identified with the American Dream and the pitfalls of it.
4. We began to analyze specific characters in OMAM, Candy, Curly's wife, Crooks and Lennie, and how having the American Dream contributed to their dissatisfaction and dejection.
Homework:
1. Read Chapter 5 of our text.
2. Answer the question in the comments below in paragraph using the following format:
What aspect of the American Dream causes [insert character name] the most harm and why?
a. "The ____aspect of the American Dream causes <insert name> the most harm
because ____."
b. Give context for the textual evidence to follow.
c. Quote the text.
d. Explain how the prior quote directly correlates to your initial claim in a. Start with "author +
verb".
e. Refer to one of the quotes identified in the presentation to supplement the discord between what
the American Dream speculates and what the character is expected to acheive.
f. Wrap up your argument by drawing attention to the fundamental flaw of the American Dream
that renders it a fallacy for many, a wisp of wind that leads the mislead-able into flights of fancy.
Example paragraph:
With the blind optimism of the American Dream in hand, Candy is caused harm in that he experiences a great deal of disillusionment. Like his dog, Candy comes to understand that his livelihood is dependent upon his ability to be useful. As an aging cripple faced with his own futility, Candy clings to the opportunity to piggy back Lennie and George's dream of an autonomous lifestyle manning their own farm despite having seen a numerous number of vagabond workers before him fail at the same endeavor and acknowledge that he himself also has not been successful to raise the appropriate funds. He points out, "I planted crops for damn
near ever’body in this state, but they wasn’t my crops, and when I harvested
‘em, it wasn’t none of my harvest" (Steinbeck 30). Steinbeck underscores the numerous years during which Candy worked without a handicap and was unable to raise funds enough to own a farm and then showcases Candy's unscathed sense of positivity, as Candy claims, "But we gonna do it now" (Steinbeck 30). Emboldened with a new zeal for possibility, Candy buys into the American Dream that according to Erica Jong, writer, entails having to only make a choice in order to "mak[e] yourself into a more successful, richer". Through Candy's misguided belief that he could be a homeowner and live on a farm with his friends in deliberate ignorance of a recent history that could not produce the same result points, Steinbeck is bringing to light the debilitating nature of the American Dream ideology in which characters seek after unrealistic and unlikely goals. Thus, Steinbeck's most plighted characters are culpable to their own sense of disillusionment because they voluntarily believe they can raise their own socio-economic status solely on the decision to do so despite the broad effect of a downcast economic climate, a symptom of the American Dream.
The misleading aspect of the American Dream, that not many people realize, causes George the most harm because he wishes to become rich and wealthy. The American Dream states that with the right amount of freedom and hard effort, you can become completely successful. He wants to "live off the fatta the land" (Steinbeck 14). The author produces a dreamy image with the image of living off of the most precious and valuable part of the land which is referred to in the "fat". Crooks refers to Lennie and George's dream as foolish "I seen guys come and go all thinkin the same thing but never succeeding" (Steinbeck 73). This proof that many hard workers who have come and gone, all with the same dream, end up failing or never achieving their goals. This leads to the recognition of the faultiness of the American Dream.
ReplyDelete"The aspect of the American Dream causes George the most harm because as he was doing everything for his dream and making Lennie go into no trouble. As George realizes what Lennie has done, the painful mission that he must undertake becomes clear to him. Here, as in the earlier scene with Candy’s dog, Slim becomes the voice of reason, pointing out that the best option for Lennie now is for him to be killed. With this realization, the idea of the farm and the good life it represents disappears. Now his dream that Lennie destroyed will now not be heaven and fulfillment for him. George said softly, “- 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.(Steinbeck) “There are poisons that blind you, and poisons that open your eyes.” Steinbeck presents that George did to much talking to Lennie about the farm dream and the rabbits that drove Lennie “ insane “. George tasted beautiful but rotten apple.The American Dream speculates achievements and wealth. As for George although he might achieve what he desires, there will be no accomplishment for him and the dream was for 2 people, Lennie and George.
ReplyDeleteGeorges flights of fancy made Lennies minds in clouds cosign him doing stuff and doing everything to not make George happy as he is deeply in their dream.
The delusory aspect of the American Dream causes Lennie the most harm because he is unable to analyze the situation and make logical decisions by himself. Lennie simply believes that the ideal, seemingly impossible dream George speaks of will become reality. Despite the hardships and abjection the “dreamers” are put through, all Lennie worries about is “tending (tend) the rabbits without no trouble” (Steinbeck 89). Through the passage, Steinbeck not only emphasizes Lennie’s innocence and disability but also sheds light on the deceitfulness of the American notion. Lennie’s considerable obsession with the rabbits symbolizes the extreme desire by men for wealth and their failure of such goals. Similarly to Steinbeck, American writer, editor, and lecturer, Maureen Howard, also supports this claim, as she asserts, “nothing will stand in your way,” as long as, “you are a serious and earnest person” who “works (work) hard enough.” It can be safely said that this is, in fact, inaccurate, as Lennie’s situation directly refutes the assertion.
ReplyDeleteWith the misleading aspect of the American Dream, Lennie is brainwashed and the most harmful, because of this mental disability that prevents him from making his own decisions. Lennie is best shown as a follower of George when George commands Lennie to not say a single word. “Lennie was looking helplessly to George for instructions” (Steinbeck 25). At this point, Steinbeck spotlights the word “helplessly” to provoke an indecisive mood, where Lennie is panicking and relying on George for the answer. However similar to Steinbeck, Maureen Howard, an American writer, believes that the American Dream is an idea, where if you work enough, nothing will stand in your way, and you will make it. Where as Steinbeck refuses this statement by giving various examples of Lennie working extremely hard, but fails to succeed because of his mental disability. In conclusion, the American Dream could possibly be a dream based on the imaginary land where many Americans daydream about.
ReplyDeleteThe blind hope and optimism that the "American Dream" advocates causes George to suffer the most, because through this blind hope, he only puts more stress unto himself. For example, he willingly puts up with all the troubles that Lennie cause him, despite his frequently complaining that he would be better off without Lennie. He allows Lennie to accompany him purely because he wants both of them to share the same dream, and he blindly hopes that with their efforts, they might be able to succeed: "'O.K. Someday - we're gonna get the jack together and we're gonna have a little house...'" (p. 14) Steinback uses the word "someday" to imply that it is by no means definite, which could possibly mean that this day may never come. The phrase "get the jack together" seems to have a connotation that "the jack" is the equivalent of their actions, which hint that they're currently in a state of disorder that would be difficult to achieve; without knowing what could change in the future, there is no way to know if the situation would change to favor "getting the jack together." This ties into Matthew J. Bruccoli's proposition that "the self-made man is a quintessentially American notion" truly shows itself here, as George is stuck in a depth of hope that he will be able to turn into a self-made man and be able to turn his life into a pauper-to-prince reality. The American Dream is an idealistic and flawed plan that only encourages false hope, as it has in George.
ReplyDeleteThe hopeful aspect of the American Dream causes Curley’s Wife the most harm because there will always be regret and desire for a better, possible life. Curley’s Wife had offers to travel with groups and get letters from people with importance, giving her the opportunity, although mostly a dream, of living a rather luxurious life. She states her dream “He says he was gonna put me in movies. Says I was a natural.” (Steinbeck 88) With her being so naïve because of youth her parents guarded her from a rough life on the road and because of it she blames her crushed dreams on them. “Well I wasn’t gonna stay in no place where I couldn’t get nowhere or make something of myself, an’ where they stold your letters.” (Steinbeck 88) Steinbeck uses the universal feeling of feeling tided down by external factors, such as parents, at a young not knowing any better age, that crushes our hopes which causes regrets and since of living in the past time. Reflecting on all the things you wish you would have done differently. Like Richard Yarborough said, “The American Dream is possibility. The American dream is freedom.” Curley’s Wife explains that she was giving the opportunity to live out the possibility of her dream. The fact that the decision was made by her parents and not her, takes away her freedom completely. Within the society in Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, he uses the hopeful nature of naïve characters to create almost a dream universe, that of which one desires. What they don’t take into account when the dream is presented to them is that there are factors that limit their freedom, therefore, making it very hard to succeed at your dream.
ReplyDeleteThe decieving aspect of the American Dream causes Lennie the most harm clearly because of his mental disabilities. His mental disabilities are preventing him from being able to live out his dream. Lennie is unable to function in society without the help of George. Even though with George by his side he still struggles his way through life. Unfortunately due to Lennie's handicap, he makes wrong decisions and getting to live the American Dream isn't a very viable option for him. For example, during the part when Lennie is harassing Curly's wife, "...Lennie's other hand closed over her mouth and nose" (Steinbeck 91). Steinbeck shows the decision that Lennie chose to make which will cost him. Although Maureen Howard states that with hard work and determination anything is possible, Steinbeck contradicts this idea with other variables that do make living the American Dream almost impossible. With many other factors contributing to this idea, the American Dream can be deceptive.
ReplyDeleteThe freedom aspect of the American dream causes Crooks the most harm, in that he experiences slavery. Even though Crooks claims that his father was a landowner and shows pride for it, he is now treated as a slave. As a desperate man in need of freedom and friendship, Crooks hangs on to the hope of the fulfillment of Lennie and George’s dream of deliverance from the power people express on them. Crooks is always suppressed by the power that people have on him due to racism. For example, Curley’s wife reminds him how defenseless he is by telling him: “Well you keep your place then, N*****. I could get you strung up on a tree so easy it ain’t even funny” (Steinbeck 81). Steinbeck demonstrate to the reader how powerless black people were at the time of the Dustbowl. Racism was a dominant state of mind and Crooks was the victim. He’s incapable of fighting against it so his only way to stay alive is to obey. This leads us to the American dream perspective of Richard Yarborough. He states: “The American dream is possibility. The American dream is freedom”. In fact, Crooks’ dream is to be free. In his current position, he has no possibilities nor freedom due to racism. He wishes to be like his father, a landowner, under no-ones orders and free. Thus, Steinbeck’s characters all wish to achieve freedom, because their dreams all relate to a paradise like life where people are under the commands of no-one but themselves, freedom.
ReplyDeleteThe utopian aspect of the American Dream causes Lennie the most harm because he becomes too dependent and absorbed in this idea of a "perfect life." From the beginning of the novel, George and Lennie constantly mention their dream of having a big farm to themselves with a house, some cows and pigs, and of course, rabbits. George is aware of the struggles and hard work they must face before reaching their ideal dream, whilst Lennie only has his mind set on "how [he gets] to tend the rabbits" (Steinbeck 14). The author accentuates Lennie's naivety and child-like innocence by emphasizing his fervent desire to care for rabbits, which further proves that Lennie is somewhat blind to the harsh reality he is living in. Maureen Howard states that "if you are a serious and earnest person and you work hard enough, nothing will stand in your way." This fully supports the idea of Lennie working hard to achieve his dream of tending the rabbits. However, this aspect of the American dream also causes Lennie to be unaware of the problems he triggers; which eventually hinders him from reaching his utopian life. Although the American dream can provide a sense of hope and motivation, its manifest complications cause much more harm than good.
ReplyDeleteThe duplicitous and sanguine aspect of the American Dream causes Curley's wife the most harm in this novel due to the fact that she will only think of the possible life she could have had being famous rather than be married to someone whom she does not even love. Not only that, but she is always discriminated by the ranchers where she lives because they don't want to get in trouble with her. She confesses to Lennie, "He says he was gonna put me in the movies. Says I was a natural. Soon's he got back to Hollywood he was gonna write to me about it" (Steinbeck 88). Steinbeck sheds light on the fact that when Curley's wife was young, she had a different life planned out in front of her, although hindered by an obstacle, her "ol' lady," (Steinbeck 88) whom she thought stole the letter that she was meant to receive. However, she is now married to a ranch owner's son whom she does not even love, which is a very contrasting life. Curley's wife was deceived by the American Dream according to Maureen Howard, who conveys, "The idea that if you are a serious and earnest person and you work hard enough, nothing will stand in your way." However, according to this statement, she should have pushed through with her dreams even if her ol' lady was stopping her, because the American dream states that no matter what obstacles, if you push through, you would make it. The American dream may have some flaws as to the extent of how hard one can work and be determined, but some factors will never allow someone to fulfill the American dream. For example, if one's economic and social status does not support the dream, it is in most cases very unlikely for someone to achieve their goals. The American dream is designed in a way to give many people false hopes, including Curley's wife.
ReplyDeleteThe reckless optimism and continued bigotry (of Americans) that pervades the American dream causes Crooks the most harm because of his skin and because of the nature of his personality. Crooks started off his life with a child-like innocence of a world chock-full with equal people. Unfortunately, this is not reality. He quickly hardened himself to the world and was able to live with a continued humble attitude. As a stable-buck, he's seen a countless number of people chasing this American dream of theirs, and thus he's been a witness to this reckless optimism. He states his feelings about it here,"'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. Hundreds of 'em'" (Steinbeck 74). The author uses the phrase"hundreds of 'em" to emphasize that Crooks has seen this reckless optimism a countless amount of times. He thinks he knows the outcome, and what he knows is probably the most reliable. Crooks does wish to empower himself. He lives by what Erica Jong said, hoping to "make yourself into a more successful, richer person". However, this just doesn't work. He does know when to give up. Crooks is not really expected to achieve anything because he is black, but I think he achieves less than nothing. He receives continual misjudgments and people that only wish to hurt him because of his skin. The fundamental flaw of the American Dream is that not everyone can succeed for the economy to work and for life to be fluid. It's especially not something that a black person (at this era) could've achieved.
ReplyDeleteThe aspect of the American Dream that is most harmful to Curley's wife is the delusional, hopeful part. When she was young, she met a man who claimed to be an actor and that he would send her a letter that would take her to Hollywood to be an actress. When this letter does not arrive, she immediately jumps to the conclusion that her mother hid it. So, she "ast her if she stole it, too, and she says no. So I married Curley." This sudden decision to marry Curley stemmed from her desire to leave a place "where they stole your letters." (Steinbeck, 88) Steinbeck emphasizes her delusion with the leaps of logic that she exhibits. After meeting a complete stranger who claimed to work in Hollywood and that he would send her a letter that would make a famous star, she believed him completely. Then, when no such letter arrives, she immediately jumps to the conclusion that her mother stole it, so in order to escape she married Curley. This series of events portrays the delusional hopes that the American Dream brought, because of how firmly she believed that she would become a star. This then leads her into marrying Curley, which sets her down the path of a miserable life followed by a broken neck. This handily breaks apart the stereotypical results of swift decision-making, as rather than everything working out for her like the settlers who make big decisions, Curley's wife's life takes a turn for the worse. In short, the American Dream relies on luck and circumstance more than effort in order to achieve its expectations, and people took it as 'major decisions will make my life better if I go abroad.'
ReplyDeleteThe illusion of a promised better future from the American Dream causes Lennie the most harm because it is false hope for him. Lennie is like a child, so George baited him with a piece of candy to encourage him on their hard journey: the promise of a land that they could live off of. Eventually, this land and the animals associated with it, especially the rabbits, become the only positive thing that Lennie looks forward to in his life. This is very unhealthy, as the probability of them actually acquiring the land was very low so clinging onto this dream that might not even come true forced Lennie to be contained within a small section of his mind. He would not accept any other alternate futures, just the one with the rabbits. "George says we're gonna have alfalfa for the rabbits" (Steinbeck 73). Steinbeck shows Lennie's absolute and unconditioned trust towards George and for their combined dream. However, what he doesn't realize is that they are just like everyone else: all of the ranch workers dream of owning a small patch of land to call their own. Their dream is humble but is accompanied by nearly unsurmountable obstacles, which Lennie does not realize but must still face. This harms him as it is the reason why he always holds onto the hope of owning land and rabbits with George in the future. Richard Yarborough state that "the American dream is freedom." However, it had the opposite effect on Lennie. By having such high expectations of the future, his social and economic bounds of being a ranch worker were even further accented, as they were what he had to deal with in the present instead of the distant future. This glorification of the American dream is what set off the two in the first place; they think they can reach that goal, but it is actually very difficult and tiring. The American dream being stated as the equivalent as "freedom" makes it seem like a carefree and easy subject, but Lennie shows the stark contrast that reality possesses for it. Although the American dream is an appealing and seemingly wonderful concept at first, it is as deceiving as it is attractive. Those who choose to follow its vices must also pay the ultimate sacrifice of having false hope for what seemed to be an easy goal at the time.
ReplyDeleteThe idea of hard work bringing success aspect of the American Dream causes Candy the most harm because like the dead dog of Candy's, he has become old, and tired making it difficult for him to even hope to achieve something by working hard enough. In the story of mice and men, many of the men except a few leave the ranch to go to the whore house down in the town. During this time away, Lennie, Candy, Stable-Buck and Curley's wife who were left at the ranch meet in Stable-Buck's room.
ReplyDelete""Curley ain't been here," Candy said sourly. She stood still in the doorway, smiling a little at them, rubbing
the nails of one hand with the thumb and forefinger of the other. And her eyes traveled from one face to another. "They left all the weak ones here," she said finally. "Think I don't know where they all went? Even Curley. I know where they all went." Lennie watched her, fascinated; but Candy and Crooks were scowling down away from her eyes. Candy said, "Then if you know, why you want to ast us where Curley is at?"".
The author describes Candy's physical condition more clearly with the use of Curley's wife's choice of words. She uses the word 'weak ones' to describe Candy, allowing us to safely assume that Candy is to tired and insufficient, synonyms of the word weak, to just have some fun. Candy who is unable to have fun because of his lack of energy due to his age, would have difficulty dreaming about 'living of the fatta the land' through hard work. Which to me is a very scary idea, since hope is what gets people looking forward to tomorrow and without it the crushing sad sensation of every meaningless moment would make living hell. Maureen Howard spoke of the American Dream as an 'idea that if you are a serious and earnest person and you work hard enough, nothing will stand in you way. You will make.', although this idea is very encouraging, if you are Candy who is wise to know that there no longer is enough 'hard work' and 'time' left in him to enjoy this american dream. He would dream for a moment, but the next second he will see his reality, an old and tired man, killing the only joy left to him after his dog. Thus this is why Candy becomes very fond of Lennie and George, realizing that he cannot achieve his goal alone he becomes dependent on Lennie and George. Sadly there is a major flaw in this action, in Candy's desperate action of trusting George and Lennie. It is that Lennie nor George is an independent variable, and like Candy carry their own burden and shortcommings.
The hopeless aspect of the American Dream causes Crooks the most harm because he is driven with the thought that he will not succeed, though he has not attempted it. When Crooks had offered to work on the farm with Candy and Lennie, he cancels his statement later, saying “ ’Member what I said about hoein’ and doin’ odd jobs?.... I didn’ mean it. Jus’ foolin’. I wouldn’ want to go no place like that” (Steinbeck 83). John Steinbeck, the author, stealthily conveys to his readers that without attempt and sacrifice to reach a certain goal, it will never be obtained. Although Crooks had the opportunity to be one step away from his freedom, he shies away in fear and doubt as he returns to the darkness and familiarity of his stable. He sees no hope, and his vision of his future is blurred from the failures of past men he had witnessed. Contrary to Crooks’ pessimistic credence, Richard Yarborough states the quote, “The American dream is possibility. The American dream is freedom.” Possibility and freedom are two of many human traits Crooks does not have. He has no freedom, as he is metaphorically and close to literally enslaved by his masters. He has no possibility of becoming the man of his future, because he has nowhere to go and no one to go to. The American dream is only possible with hope, and to do so one must overcome the apprehension of failure.
ReplyDelete- Jeanne Lee
American Dream is an idea. It states that if one tries hard in anything he does, then he will always be successful. I believe the idea is false. Although working hard is the main factor, the “American Dream” completely focuses on effort. It leaves out some other factor as luck, natural talents, etc. The book “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck takes place when people in U.S tried to succeed by following the American Dream. One who is directly affected by the falsehood of American Dream is Candy. He keeps on believing that he can still go with George and Lennie to own their own home with few acres to farm. He believes, as long as he tries his best then he will succeed and be happy; however, the truth is that he is very old and crippled. Soon, he would not be able to work and be forced to retire. He offers his money “two hundred an’ fifty dollars’ … an’ I got fifty more” to George because he is filled with hopes and dreams. In the end, Candy does not achieve his dream, showing that the “American Dream” is not true.
ReplyDeleteThe impossible aspect of the American Dream causes George the most harm because it proves to George that the paradise he had long imagined is unattainable. George and Lennie share a dream of owning a farm, which would allow them to financially support themselves. It would also offer them a barrier from the unfriendly world beyond borders of their farm. As George constantaly reminds Lennie and himself, “Someday – we’re gonna get the jack together and we’re gonna have a little house and a couple of acres an’ a cow and some pigs…” (Steinbeck 14). Steinbeck underscores the wonder and hope showed in George’s storytelling and makes it seem as if the dream were possible. However, he later shows the reality that attaining this goal is simply not possible. This American Dream that George and Lennie have clung on for so long, and even Candy and Crooks, as well as almost every other man have also dreamed, is false hope. In the short PBS video we watched during class, Richard Yarborough said, “The American Dream is possibility. The American Dream is freedom.” Even though George’s shared future promises possibility and more importantly, freedom, it is simply unfeasible. The American Dream gave George and Lennie the hope of possibility as well as the freedom to dream what they wanted to dream. But the harsh reality for George, in addition to the million other men living in that era, is that these hopes are far-flung and these dreams are improbable. George’s journey towards this goal awakens him to the fact that this dream is simply impossible. His prospective future of freedom, contentment, and safety is impossible to find in the real world. The shining, gilded nature of the American Dream draws people towards it, and deludes people into thinking that it is possible to attain the dream. But this false hope is simply a delusion, and leads them into a journey that is to no avail.
ReplyDeleteThe confusing aspect of the american dream causes Lennie a lot of harm because Lennie has that dream on being on a farm with George and being able to have the rabbits to pet. throughout the time Lennie and George were working to earn the farm, Lennie was not able to help out as much because he would either mess up or cause trouble. "An' rabbits. Go on, George! Tell about what we're gonna have in the garden and about the rabbits in the cages and about the rain in the winter and the stove and how thick the cream is on the milk you can hardly cut it." (Steinback 14) No matter how we look at this Lennie is really pumped up for this dream that he is going to share with George. Lennie really wants to be able to share this dream but whenever they go out for work Lennie is always getting into to trouble or he is clumsy and does something that would make them get kicked out. On the otherhand this American dream is the one thing in their lives that are driving them forward. Without this driving force they would have no purpose to keep moving forward.
ReplyDeleteThe hopeful aspect of the American dream causes George the most harm because of the delusionary factor it gives of to the character. The American dream states that hard work and effort can lead you to success. George’s American dream is to buy a farm where he can “live of the fat of the land” (Steinbeck 14). The author makes it seem that the American dream can be easily achieved by producing a dreamy image of living off the most precious and valuable parts of the land, which is referred as “fat”. However as in the story Crook’s realizes that every man’s American dream is broken down in the end. This proves that all men have the same dream but actually achieving it is miniscule.
ReplyDeleteThe inaccurate aspect of the American Dream causes Lennie the most harm because it leads him to blindly follow a man who, in the end, has complete control over him. Since Lennie does not even have the ability to think for himself, he will end up doing whatever someone says to do if it's for his "American Dream", like when George says "Jus' tell Lennie what to do an' he'll do it if it don't take no figuring. He can't think of nothing to do himself, but he sure can take orders" (Steinbeck 39). Lennie will blindly follow directions, even though he does not know the destination. Steinbeck makes light of Lennie's innocence and gullibility, but at the same time he shows how Lennie really wants his dream. Lennie may know himself that half the time he may bet getting used, but like Howard says, "nothing can stand in your way", so Lennie strives to achieve his dream.
ReplyDeleteThe misleading aspect of the American Dream causes the most harm to Lennie because Lennie believes that he can achieve his goal of owning his own farm. However, the painful truth is that he will never be able to be independent. His goals have to follow the goals of George. Whatever George wants to do, he must follow. The American Dream of being independent and self-made cannot apply to Lennie because Lennie can never be self-made. He is always following down the path of another man, George.
ReplyDelete"But you ain't gonna get in no trouble, because if you do, I won't let you tend the rabbits."(Steinbeck 16)
This quote is a perfect example of how George takes control of Lennie. Lennie's dream is to have a farm with rabbits. George knows this and he uses this dream of Lennie's to control and manipulate him. The American Dream is only causing Lennie harm, because he is fooled into believing he is pursuing a goal of his own, when really he is just following George's ambitions.
The promises made by the hopeful aspect of the American Dream cause Lennie the most harm to himself. When anything threatened his American Dream, he would lose control of his own bodily functions and cause harm to anything around him that would then cause him to hate himself. Due to the fact that Lennie suffers from mental disabilities and has a very strong physique, he isn’t always in control of what outcomes from bursts of anger and physical response. When something he doesn’t like happens, he reacts with an action that would logically make sense in alleviating the situation. However, because he is unaware of how strong he is and how much damage he could cause, he never means to actually do what the real outcome is. When Lennie kills Curley’s wife, he didn’t mean to harm her in any way. “I shouldn’t of did that. George’ll be mad. An’ … he said … an’ hide in the brush till he come. He’s gonna be mad” (Steinbeck 92). George harms himself with internal conflicts he faces. If he purposefully murdered Curley’s wife he would feel some struggles; however, because it was unintentional and he knows it’s wrong, those struggles would be multiplied. Steinbeck writes Lennie’s thoughts out loud so that the reader will know every single detail in Lennie’s toddler mind. Lennie has his mind set as professor Richard Yarborough said, “The American dream is possibility. The American dream is freedom.” Lennie would do whatever was in his power to keep this possibility and thought alive. The American dream promised that anyone could succeed. Unfortunately, the believers of this idea did more harm than good. People would fight for their success but while trying to do so, lead to gaining many adversaries.
ReplyDeleteThe selective aspect of the American Dream causes Crooks the most harm since only he is neglected from having the Dream due to his social status which is even lower than the lowest of those who have the American Dream. As he converses with Candy and Lennie, he voices his desire to go along with the lot in finding their own land with the rabbits. He seems to gain a sense of self-identification and confidence in the worth of his own existence, similarly to Candy. Yet when he stands up for himself, Curley's wife quickly hits him with reality. " 'Listen Ni**er…You Know what I could do?…Well keep your place then, Ni**er. I could get you strung up on a tree so easy it ain't even funny.'" (Steinbeck 80-1). Steinbeck thus diminishes the little authority and value Crooks had a mere few pages ago. He ultimately classifies Crooks as one who cannot even attempt to dream the American Dream because he absolutely cannot achieve it. Richard Yarborough, an english professor, expresses the American Dream as, "…possibility. The American Dream is freedom.". The American Dream gives freedom to those who are captivated by the norms of society in terms of social class. Yet it is something unreachable to Crooks, who is a slave and has lost his freedom a long time ago. He realises that following the American Dream is something out of his league. The American Dream seems like a opportunist, due to the fact that the majority white community are welcomed with open arms, others fail to see how selective this dream is and might not be freedom at all.
ReplyDeleteThe self made aspect of the American Dream causes Crooks the most harm because it allows him to always have a false sense that his hard work will eventually gain him the ability to be seen as normal. When all of the men go to town, Crooks' room accidentally becomes the hotspot for these outcasts as they happen to walk by and all see his light. Eventually, Lennie, Crooks, and Candy are all talking about Lennie and George's American Dream when Candy's wife happens to come in. She harasses them all, especially Lennie who she flirts with after figuring he is the one who broke Curly's hand. When Crooks finally stands up for Lennie and asks for Curly's Wife to leave, she responds with, "You know what i can do to you if you open your trap?" (Steinback 80). Matthew J. Bruccoli's idea of the American Dream would be a reassurance for Crooks' work. He says, "The idea of a self made man is a quintessentially American notion." This quote reassures Crooks with the idea that as long as he keeps working, he can reach equality. But in reality, there will always be a roadblock in his path to equality, whether for his race or for his handicap. The American Dream is just that; a dream. When we come from a nation that was founded on freedom, the idea that we no longer happen to have that makes this dream seem more of an unachievable nightmare.
ReplyDeleteThe exaggerated aspect of the American Dream causes George the most harm because George receives hope that he will achieve his seemingly unreachable goal as a reward for his effort. George, although mature and cosmopolitan, altars into a mind of a small child when talking to Lennie about their dream of having a small farm land. As much as Lennie did, George also wanted his dream to come true. All George thinks about, during his hard days of working, is to receive the money and fulfill his plan with Lennie. After encountering Candy, George realizes his dream is accomplishable. He exclaims, “Jesus Christ! I bet we could swing her” (Steinbeck 60). Steinbeck underscores the delusional hope George holds in the false idea American Dream establishes in people. George, full of determination, shares the idea Maureen Howard held about the American Dream, that “if you are a serious and earnest person and you work hard enough, nothing will stand in your way. However, this idea is extremely exaggerated and George learns it the hard way. As his beloved friend, Lennie, accidently murders Curley’s wife, George realizes he has been fooled by the American Dream. Although many successful American state the miracle of American Dream, it has a crucial deficit. There is a lot of factors that can stop people from reaching their goal, no matter how much effort they put in to achieve it.
ReplyDeleteThe ignorance and prejudice that comes with the competitiveness in the American dream causes Crooks the most harm. People with the American dream mindset are constantly trying to elevate their social status, and in order to delude themselves in that they have quenched this desire, the desperates of society take advantage of the preexisting inequality. Likewise, we see that Crooks is forced to live a lower existence by even those that are most deprived. When Crooks tells Curly’s wife that she is no longer wanted in his room, she blatantly reminds him of the fact that she “could get [him] strung upon a tree so easy, it ain’t even funny”(Steinbeck ). Steinbeck establishes that even though Crooks, unlike Curly’s wife, is somewhat productive, and in many ways Curly’s wife’s view of Crooks as a lower figure is unjustified, because of Crooks is an African American, he is automatically put in a position of inferiority. In the PBS video that we watched in class, Matthew Bruccoli comments that “The idea of the self made man is a quintessentially American notion.” However, because racism serves as an obstruction that nullifies Crooks’s effort, he is reduced into the pessimistic self who realizes the impossible nature of building himself up to respect that he yearns for, unlike those that are able to dream and retain hope (even if it is false hope) of gaining a better lifestyle.
ReplyDeleteThe misleading aspect of the American Dream shows the most pain to Lennie. In the story, "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck states the dream the both George and Lennie are trying to achieve. So, Lennie believes that he has the potential to achieve his goal by owning his own farm and rabbits. Unlike George, he listens and respects George. Without George, Lennie will never be able to achieve his goals more be able to become independent. The American Dream of being independent and believe in yourself cannot be claimed to Lennie. Listening and following George will never made Lennie believe in himself like when "[Lennie] ain't gonna get in no trouble, because if [Lennie] do, [George] won't let [Lennie] tend the rabbits" (Steinbeck 16). This quote exemplifies how George treats Lennie by using this dream to maneuver him. Even if Lennie does not show his independence, George should be willing to help Lennie to be mature and know how to do things by himself. The American Dream causes Lennis harm by the goal is tries to achieve, which shows disgrace to follow George's demads.
ReplyDeleteThe seemingly simplistic aspect of the American Dream causes Lennie the most harm because his mindset is so meek thinking that achieving this huge dream is a simple task to do. Lennie believes that his dream of having his own farm with George is almost guaranteed, not considering reality and factors that could limit him from achieving his dream. As Lennie first enters Crooks’ room, he starts to mention how he’s going to tend the rabbits and give them water at a farm of their own. Crooks is sitting comfortably on his bunk when Lennie says “You think it’s a lie, but it ain’t no lie. Ever’ word’s the truth, an’ you can ast George” (Steinbeck 70). Steinbeck emphasizes how confident Lennie is that he will achieve this American Dream, only because of George, as mentioned at the end of the quote. Lennie’s main argument to Crooks was that he should ask George, therefore implying what he’s saying is true. Lennie’s view on achieving this American Dream is so naïve, in a negative way, due to the fact that he believes all he needs to do is follow George’s command and everything will work out and they will eventually just have a happy ending. He doesn’t understand that even though the American Dream itself may be a simple goal to set, it involves intense hard labor, financial demands, and other factors that would prevent him from achieving this dream. The American Dream speculates that working hard must be done in order to achieve, but Lennie has misinterpreted that concept entirely. What Lennie isn’t considering, which he should be, is the financial issues that arise from getting their own piece of land, the fact that he has a slight mental disability, and that his obsession with soft things could potentially lead to not achieving his dream. The idea of the American Dream is just a myth to many; if you work hard enough achieving any dream is possible. Steinbeck’s characters have grasped this idea, except for character most at lost, Lennie. The idea of working hard has been grasped by Lennie, but misinterpreted. He believes working hard at whatever George tells him to do is the correct way to achieve his ultimate dream.
ReplyDeleteThe illusionistic aspect of the American Dream causes Lennie the most harm because he believe he can get what he wants despite his disabilities. Lennie believes that he can get the farm with the bunnies by just staying quiet, however, even after disobeying George's orders by talking, he believes the farm is still within grasp as he constantly reminds George about how excited he is. One day, he is conversing with George and they invite Candy to join them in their mission to buy land for them. Lennie says,"An' put some grass to the rabbits. ... I wouldn't never forget to feed them." (Steinbeck 61) Steinbeck uses this to show how much this means to Lennie as he usually can't remember to honor the promise he made George to be quiet while he promises intently that he'll keep the bunnies alive. Maureen Howard said “nothing will stand in your way,” as long as, “you are a serious and earnest person” who “works hard enough.” Lennie believes he can get the farm with the bunnies as long as he wants it enough, however, he first has to grasp the truth that he cannot get there without setting his priorities straight and listening to what George tells him to do in the first place.
ReplyDelete(I apologize in advance, I was just informed that we had to put it as a comment.)
ReplyDeleteThe surreal aspect of the American Dream causes Lennie the most harm because he believes that when he, along with any other person accompanying him, finally arrive at their paradise, that nothing will could cause negative effects and that everything is perfect and happy just as it should be. Almost like a child, Lennie is blissfully unaware of the struggles and challenges that just gaining possession of the farm, that he dreams of, involve. He just thinks that getting the land and building his dream wonderland with bunnies and plants and vegetables and so forth, is all a matter of time. Little does he realize that he might not even be able to see a piece of land suitable for that kind of lifestyle, let alone, own one. “‘We’re gonna have rabbits an’ a berry patch.’ ‘You’re nuts.’ ‘We are too. You ast George.’” (Steinbeck 27) Steinbeck tries to relay that Lennie refuses to believe anything different from the idea that eventually, George and he will live in Heaven on Earth, where they are care free and anything they dream of is a reality. Lennie seems to believe more in the chance of freedom of the American dream or as Richard Yarborough put it “The American dream is possibility. The American dream is freedom.” Lennie has the idea that freedom will come to him, when he does not realize that he will need to work hard to even hold the chance to see the haven which haunts him, which is the biggest law in this “form” of the American dream. It does not matter how much you believe something will happen, because the only real way to get something to occur, is to do it yourself.
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ReplyDeleteThe oppressive aspect of the American Dream causes Curly’s Wife the most harm
ReplyDeletebecause she too was part of the Dream. In Chapter 5, when Curly’s wife is talking to Lennie she is intrigued by Lennie’s dreams and hopes, then decides to tell him about her past ambition. “Coulda been in the movies and had nice clothes. All them nice clothes like they wear.” The author uses this passage to help the reader realize that Curly’s wife too had dreams, and hopes like the main characters Lennie and George. Yet unlike them her dream had to end tragically but her life drags on painfully only by regretting what she could have been. Richard Yarborough speculated “The American Dream is a possibility. The American dream is freedom.”, sadly for Curly’s wife it is the opposite. It is like an iron ball chained to her foot dragging on her painfully to constantly remind her of her failed past. Where there is no escape and no freedom. When psychologists talk to depressed patients they tell them it is good to make goals but it is important that they are easy and reachable. This is because if you make a tough goal and you try really hard but don’t achieve it. One is prone to start to feel bad about oneself and things will go spiraling down. Like this the American dream is like a moon in the sky that everyone aims for but a sky where no stars are and when you fall the hard ground is your only friend and achievement.