Dreaming the Dream in The Great Gatsby, and Of Mice and Men

The American Dream has long been thought the pinnacle idea of American society. The idea that anyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, or financial status, could rise from the depths and become anything they wanted to be with no more than hard work and determination has attracted people from all around the world. Two writers from America’s past, however, have a different opinion on the once-great American Dream. F. Scott Fitzgerald and John Steinbeck have given the public their beliefs on the modern Dream through the novels they have written, The Great Gatsby, and Of Mice and Men, respectively. One novel placed during the Great Depression and the other during the Roaring Twenties both illustrate how their author feels about the Dream†¦show more content†¦In a different, yet similar way, Steinbeck also uses irony to illustrate the American Dream. He too shows the problems of the Dream with his use of the literary device. â€Å"Before George answered, Candy dropped his h ead and looked down at the hay. He knew. George said softly, â€Å"- 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, 94) After so much work and pain, George and Candy realize that their dream has been a lost cause. While kind, Lennie’s mistakes have ended their goal of purchasing their own land and having a better life. George still has a chance of attaining his goal, but it has been severely injured. In the honest efforts of George, Lennie, and Candy, Steinbeck presents some form of flaw in the American Dream with his use of the brutal irony that is the downfall of the trio’s dream. Both authors have an apparent detestation towards what the American Dream has become in their time, and irony proves to be an outstanding apparatus to capture their thoughts. The settings of both novels also help the reader observe the authors’ perspective of the faltering American Dream. In Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck places the events of his novel in California during the Great Depression; years after the events of Fitzgerald’sShow MoreRelated The American Dream in Of Mice and Men, The Great Gatsby, Two Kinds, and Sophistication1537 Words   |  7 PagesThe American Dream in Of Mice and Men written by John Steinbeck, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Two Kinds writer by Amy Tan, and in â€Å"Sophistication† by Sherwood Anderson. Working hard is the key to success. This struggle for success is most commonly called the â€Å"American Dream.† The aspect of the American Dream has been around forever and is often the underlying theme in many pieces of American literature. The theme of the American is especially presented in Of Mice and Men written by JohnRead MoreThe American Dream : A Concept Known By All1465 Words   |  6 PagesThe American Dream The American Dream: a concept known by all, but deciphered distinctly throughout time. Coined by historian James Truslow Adams in his book The Epic of America, the term American Dream was explained as the dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone . . . (214). People immigrated to America from all over the world in order to enhance their circumstances and eventually achieve this idealistic vision. However, realism has shatteredRead MoreObstacles Affecting American Dreams By William Faulkner2107 Words   |  9 PagesObstacles Affecting American Dreams Throughout the world, people have to strive for a better life. Not many of them acquire the life that they want. The reality of society affects their desire toward dreams. But not every dream are the same and can come true. There are times when something hard or even unexpected occurs, everything that they have been worked for can halt. In the story A Rose For Emily by William Faulkner, he uses imagery of a daughter with a dream of obtaining true love to describeRead MoreEssay about Of Mice and Men By John Steinbeck3008 Words   |  13 PagesOf Mice and Men By John Steinbeck 1. How significant is the theme of loneliness in Of Mice and Men? 2. To what extent is it correct that The Great Gatsby, Death of a Salesman and Of Mice and Men explore important, but different aspects of ‘The American Dream’? 3. What is the importance of dreams and dreaming to the success of Of Mice and Men? A. Background Information Describe the historical background to the novel i.e. the USA in the mid/late 1930’s The USA of theRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald1914 Words   |  8 Pages†©his†© or †©her †©back†© on †©all†© that †©has †©been †©worked †©for? †©In†© an†© American†© society,†© there†© is†© an†© idea†© of†© a†© dream.†© Most†© people†© have†© dreams†© that†© differ †©from †©one†© another. †©Dreams†© are †©not †©limited †©only †©to †©society. †©Countless †©numbers†© of†© times†© in†© American†© literature,†© there†© are†© moments†© when†© an†© obstacle†© slows†© or†© possibly†© halts†© progression.†© Dreams†© can†© also†© be†© found†© in†© American†© literature;†© however,†© like†© the†© reality†© of†© society,†© barrie rs†© can†© be†© a†© component