The American Dream In Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

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Everyone has a dream that they one day dream to achieve whether it be a stride or simple life goals that are of high importance to the individual. There are two main perspectives on the American Dream. One describing that the American Dream is unrealistic and the other claiming that it is possible if you put in the work and effort. George and Lennie believe it is possible to overcome and express that in the novel, Of Mice and Men, multiple times. However, in the excerpt from, The Joy Luck Club, the main character, Nikan, does not believe the American Dream is possible for her to achieve. Both stories describe negative and positive outcomes throughout the novels. In Of Mice and Men, George and Lennie believe they can one day follow with their …show more content…
The excerpt of the book described a common scenario. There were multiple pieces of evidence throughout that proved this statement true. First, in the text, it described, “My mother believed you could be anything you wanted to in America,” (P1). This is the basis of the story that described what this girl experienced because of her mother’s hopes for life that awaited for her daughter in America. Continuing on, the text also mentioned, “...you can be a prodigy too… You can be the best anything,” (P2). Nikan may not believe in herself that she could become a prodigy, but her mother has all of the faith in the world that her daughter can accomplish anything. This excerpt is the perfect examples of the two different perspectives of the American Dream. Nikan and her mother both believe that is is a real concept and that it only theoretically exists. On one side, specifically to Nikan, is that the American Dream is not achievable for herself. She does not have enough faith in herself that she could become something so superb. On the other hand, according to Nikan’s mother, the American Dream is in the palm of her daughter’s hands once they find what that key talent for Nikan is. She one hundred percent believes, that with hard work and dedication, her daughter will achieve the American Dream. What most likely separates them from their reasoning is Nikan’s mother came to America for …show more content…
The American Dream is present in both texts, but the two stories have different perspectives on its reality. One view describing its only a fairytale and another telling that if you really pursue it, you can accomplish it. George and Lennie have a positive outlook and hope, but Nikan has negative outlook and has little motivation to keep her going. But both stories cross hurdles and in the general aspect, are working towards the same aspiration whether they believe it is achievable or not. From their differences, to Nikan’s situation, to George and Lennie’s circumstance, the American Dream comes in all shapes and forms. It all just depends on how it is
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