Criticism / On John Steinbeck's American Dream and its Consequences (Analysis)
The idea of the American Dream has been ingrained in our society and culture since the first Pilgrims made their way across the Atlantic in search of a new life. The Dream is what drove the Pilgrims and it is what drives Americans even today; it is the hope for a new life in this land of opportunity. However, we must ask; does anyone ever accomplish the Dream? The Dream drives the Joads and 200,00 of their friends to leave their farms, ravaged by forces both natural and man-made, and journey to the Promised Land in California. When they find California’s gates closed, however, the realization that they have been misled becomes clear. The Dream drives George and Lennie to pursue their home in the country while working farm job to farm job, always a buck short on one of Lennie’s simple-minded mistakes. When the tale reaches it’s end, George and Lennie have given up on the Dream. In these two novels, John Steinbeck has tried to convey through his characters, setting and use of conflict that while the quest for the American Dream provides for hope and optimism, it never delivers on its promises.
Steinbeck’s characters are used to show that despite the hope that the quest for American Dream brings, it is unattainable. They are tough and resilient, yet their most enduring characteristic is that of optimism. Superseding all else, Steinbeck’s characters have an unflinchingly strong sense that everything is going to turn out okay. While leaving the Hooverville in search of the government camp, Ma Joad tries to comfort Tom. She explains to him, “why, Tom, we’re the people that live. They ain’t gonna wipe us out. Why, we’re the people- we go on” (280). Regardless of the lack of work found at the Hooverville and oppression encountered from the police, Ma continues to look towards the future. She sees in both the Joads and on a larger scale, in every migrant, a solidarity that cannot be broken. Ma remains faithful that the American Dream has something to offer her and her family, provided they continue their journey. At the end of the novel, however, we find that the Dream is a promise that would remain unfulfilled. In Of Mice and Men, George and Lennie maintain the same sort of optimism throughout the story. Even in the climax of the tale, when George prepares to end Lennie’s life, he offers him a glimmer of hope to calm his last moments. “We’ll have a cow,” he assures him, “an we’ll have maybe an pig an’ chickens an’ down the flat we’ll have a little piece alfalfa... for the rabbits” (105). That boundless optimism that led them to this point has not vanished; George is merely using it to reassure his friend that everything is going to be all right. George’s conduct emphasizes the point that the strongest facet of these two characters is their optimism, that even through the worst moments can they continue to look towards a brighter future. Of course, we realize now that there is truly no bright future for George nor Lennie. Crooks explains this to them after Lennie shares with him their ambitious plans. “They come, an' they quit an' go on,” he says, “an' every damn one of 'em's got a little piece of land in his head. An' never a God damn one of 'em ever gets it. Just like heaven” (81). The American Dream, both that of the Joads and of George and Lennie, is what Crooks refers to as heaven. Something that all people aspire to, and the journey for which fuels their entire lives, yet is not reachable. This is essentially Steinbeck’s American Dream; an idea that is chased by many yet accomplished by none.
Steinbeck also paints a distinctive setting in his writing to convey the idea that the hope that the American Dream conjures is not enough to fulfill it. Stories like Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice and Men are the tales of travelers and migrants; people without homes. The setting, naturally, then plays an important part in sending a message. The Joads set out from their home, ravaged by the dust storms and left a weak shell of earth, for California. Grampa relates to the
rest of his family what he plans on doing the minute they reach this land of milk and honey. "Gonna get me a whole big bunch of grapes,” he tells them, “off a bush, or whatever, an' I'm gonna squash 'em on my face an' let 'em run offen my chin” (83). Grampa’s outlook is very optimistic, seeing the idealized version of California. This hope for a better life, this optimism, is what keeps Grampa searching for the elusive Dream. Of course, he does not live to find out the truth; the real California is far different. Steinbeck tells us of the way that the business owners in California wastefully destroy fruit to prevent it from being eaten by starving children. He explains, “The smell from the ferment is not the rich odor of wine, but the smell of decay and chemicals” (348). Grampa’s dream, simple as it may have been, is one that was being stamped out in California. Optimism would truly do him no good here, as his land of milk and honey is no such land at all. In Of Mice and Men, George and Lennie share a similar idealistic view of the future. George explains, in one of the many instances in the novel, just what they’re working towards. “Well, it’s ten acres,” he tells him, “Got a little win’mill. Got a little shack on it, an’ a chicken run. Got a kitchen, orchard, cherries, apples, peaches, ‘cots, nuts, got a few berries. They’s a place for alfalfa and plenty of water to flood it. They’s a pig pen” (57). This dream drives George and Lennie from job to job, town to town, while at each stop Lennie sets them back with his mistakes. They have an unwavering dedication to achieving their house; to finally being able to feed the rabbits and tend the garden. However, we see in the end of the story that the two men never reach their goal, forever simply teased by the ambitious dream. Their inability to find their home represents Steinbeck’s deeper message, that the Dream’s nature is to provide false hope, and then tear it away.
Lastly, Steinbeck also uses very strong conflict to contribute to his message that despite the hope inspired by the American Dream, it’s accomplishment is impossible. In Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice and Men, very distinct lines are drawn in the sand to distinguish between those who have, and those who do not. It is very clear that those who are wealthy or those who own business are on a higher level than displaced farmers. The people who are in power act in a such a way that the American Dream is deliberately made impossible to achieve. The men who bring the tractors to Oklahoma try desperately to explain why the bank has come for the land. “The bank is something more than men,” they exclaim, “I tell you. It’s the monster. Men made it, but they can’t control it” (33). The bankers and wealthy landowners who have created the bank are now slaves to it, responsible to increase shareholder wealth by any means necessary. The American Dream of 200,000 migrant workers is marginalized and dangled in front of their faces. While some sustain their optimism and hope to overcome the forces that oppose them, it may truly be all for naught. The men with the power have ensured that they will remain that way. The Dream is far too ambitious for these migrants to accomplish, considering they have to somehow best the bourgeoisie elite that control all the power. A similar situation, but on a smaller scale, arises in Of Mice and Men. When Lennie escapes the farm after killing Curley’s wife, Curley relates instructions to his lynch gang on what to do with him when he’s found. He says, “When you see ‘um, don’t give ‘im no change. Shoot for his guts. That’ll double ‘im over” (97). This sort of total disregard for the life of another human being demonstrates the reason why George and Lennie’s dream can never be achieved. Curley and Carlson are the forces of evil, the same that forced the Joads from their home in Oklahoma. They dangle a carrot in front of George and Lennie’s nose, and when they finally reach out to claim their prize, it is torn away. George’s optimism holds true about to this point, when he realizes the Dream is dead and he must vanquish it along with Lennie. This use of conflict between two social classes is used by Steinbeck deftly to convey the idea that the American Dream is an ambitious thought, yet one that can never be reached.
In the forming of an American identity, perhaps no element has been more influential than that of the American Dream. It is that openness we pride ourselves on; the idea that anyone who works hard enough can succeed and accomplish something great. However, do we need to re-evaluate our goals? Perhaps our dreams are outlandish and in that way they are impossible. Perhaps we need to consider whether the things we value most in life are material objects or emotions, thoughts and feelings. Perhaps we should be happy for that what we have, and not strive for some unnecessary excess. Steinbeck warns us of the dangers of the Dream and it’s blind adherence. It is up to the individual whether they will step off the road and think for themselves what they are looking for, or if they will continue down the path, ever ignorant of their own demise.
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I think this was a very well written critique. There were no language or spelling errors and the descriptions are well written. I liked the objective tone, and the fact that it was written academically. (Which I realize was the purpose.) I am in college and this is a much better critique than ones I have heard in class! I honestly can’t really think of any suggestions, if it was a critique for a magazine I would say add a tiny bit of back story, but since it is for class everyone will be familiar with the characters. I can’t believe this is your first assignment. Well done!
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