An Ill-fated Utopias current obstacles in ones life taint the quality of existence, a fantasy setting in ones mind can create happiness. These ‘happy places’ that all individuals visit in their mind contrast slightly to the real world in regards to what they represent and invoke from the individual. In the short novel, Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck, the significance of a fantasy place is exemplified through the struggles and hopes of George Milton and Lennie Small. While both are unfortunate individuals who rely on each others presence, the aspiration of owning their own farm with rabbits enables them to continue in the cruel and competitive world they ” ve come to know through the mental handicap of Lennie.
Regardless of the idealistic setting they visualize, true location proves to be perpetual when Lennie dies. Nonetheless, when contrasted, the portrayal of imprisonment and freedom is embodied through the elements of George and Lennie’s microcosm versus their utopia, further contributing to a theme that a hopeful approach to life is futile. The farm that Lennie and George are employed to represents struggle, and hardship. However, the world that the future holds for Lennie and George represents reward, hope, and freedom.
While working hard on a ranch in the Salinas Valley in California in what seems to be the time of the depression, companions Lennie and George encounter opportunity and fallbacks. Though surrounded by positive people, the presence of one man, Curly, the boss’s son, denotes the unpleasant entrapment of his employees by his horrible character. Curly’s cruel domineering personality connotes entrapment and unhappiness in his presence. The strenuous labor required of employment on the farm also implies strife and pain.
The Essay on Lennie George Dream Responsibility
Lennie and George, migratory workers in the California fields, cherish the dream of having a little farm of their own where as Lennie's refrain has it, they can "Live of the fatta o' the land." George yearns for his own place where he could bring in his own crops instead of working for another. A place where he could get what comes up from the ground for himself. He wants the full reward of his ...
Regardless of their current position and location, Lennie and George look beyond to a place where they are in charge: the not too distant future where Lennie and George own a farm together, with the accessory of rabbits. This place symbolizes freedom of the discomforts of the society that Lennie and George have both experienced. In this place, Lennie and George command themselves and listen to no other. Because of Lennies handicap, this goal enables him to be as independent as feasible.
In doing so, conquering all odds. For hardworking and responsible George, he too will gain a sense of independence and freedom through the liberties of idleness. However, the pitiless role of the real world disillusions the reader when Lennie accidentally kills Curly’s wife. In an act of absolute loyalty, George takes it upon himself to effectuate Lennies death while for the final time relating of ‘their’ farm with the rabbits and brings Lennie to peace and refuge through the illustration of their unworldly place. Though their desires for freedom represented by their own farm were strong, inevitably, the inclemency of life represented by their true atmosphere over ruled and denied weak Lennie of his dream, while also disillusioning George. Though the time honored classic, Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck often times is interpreted to personify the importance of friendship, loyalty, and loneliness, hopelessness is also an undeniable theme of the story.
Through the concept of hopes and dreams exemplified through both George and Lennie’s Utopia, the reader is lead to a sanguine climax. However, the disparity of ideal and actual locale’s in the lives of both George and Lennie Typifies the interminable clash between dreams and reality.
