Steinbeck
generally presents the American dream in an unflattering light. In the life plans of the various
characters in this book, the dream comes across as something unattainable, no matter how hard
one strives for it.
andhave big plans about owning their own ranch, where
they will get to be the bosses for a change. But that dream comes to nothing after Lennie kills
Curley's wife. Speaking of Curley's wife, she's always harbored dreams of being a Hollywood film
star; but her dreams also come to nothing, for the reasons just given. Candy, getting old and
sensing that he's coming to the end of his productive life, desperately wants in on George and
Lennie's ranch project. But once the project collapses, his dreams go up in smoke.
The general impression one gets from reading is that the American
dream is beyond the reach of those who, for whatever reason, live on the margins of society,
whether it's due to low economic status (George and Lennie), disability (Candy), race (Crooks),
or gender (Curley's wife).
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