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Of Mice and Men Expository Essay

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Of Mice and Men Expository Essay John Steinback’s Of Mice and Men is a book that describes the chase of the American Dream. Although achieving the American Dream is a great desire for all, seldom does it actually come true. George and Lennie, the two main characters in the book, have a goal of pursuing their version of the American Dream, as do many other characters. However, due to relationships and other conflicts, that dream is not achieved. Almost immediately, Steinback poses the question of whether or not companionship leads to failure of the American Dream. For example, George says, “’Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don’t belong no place. They come to a ranch an’ …show more content…

Through these examples, and others found throughout the book, Steinback tells the reader that no goal is accomplished through isolation. If isolation does not make for good outcomes, than it would seem that its opposite, companionship, should. For instance, George and Lennie’s dream only seems possible through their companionship and with the help of another friend, Candy. This is demonstrated where Steinback says, “They fell into a silence. They looked at one another, amazed. This thing they had never really believed in was coming true.”(60). This quote shows that the “thing they had never really believed in” could happen through each other’s contributions. Through companionship, each person would have to raise less money and therefore the dream could come true, and could come true faster. Things are often easier, quicker, and less painless when one has a partner to help them. It is only through their companionship that their dream seems possible. Once one of them is gone, the dream dies. This is shown in the passage that says, Now Candy spoke his greatest fear. “You an’ me can get that little place, can’t we, George? You an’ me can go there an’ live nice, can’t we, George? Can’t we?” Before George answered, Candy dropped his head and looked down at the hay. He knew. George said softly, “—I think I knowed from the very first. I think I knowed we’d never do her. He usta like to

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