Of Mice and Men, Essay Example

For the lovers of reading, I recommend the book of mice and men. This is an interesting book indirectly speaking of the American dream. The dream for a better life, a life better and quality than the current life in which the characters live. The major audience of the story includes those Americans who sacrifice to live a ragged life with the dream and hope of a better tomorrow. Of mice and men is a riveting book that those living with hope for a better tomorrow can never tire from reading and rereading.

The book begins by two characters Lennie and George. They are among the characters in the book who earn a living through working on a casual basis to obtain daily wages. They live an unsatisfying life with the dream of a better tomorrow. They dream of owning a farm some day, growing food crops on the farm, keep animals such as rabbits, and they will have no more sufferings. They are not the only dreamers. They find Candy who overhears them converse about their dream farm and finds interest in joining them. He offers to give his savings to live in the dream of owning a share in the farm. This is not the only incidence of dreamers as Curley’s wife is living in an unhappy and unfulfilling marriage. She still hopes and dreams of becoming a movie star. She is lonely and married to a jealous husband who suspects her of cheating whenever she jokes with any man. She lives a life of disappointment with Curley but still lives in the dream of becoming a movie star.

A majority of the characters end up dying without having attained their dreams. Prior to Lennie and George’s current job, they had another job where Lennie touched a woman’s dress, and unfortunately, was accused of attempted rape. They had to flee to secure themselves from imprisonment. Another similar incidence occurs to Lennie once again. He reveals to Curley’s wife how much he liked petting soft things. As a result, Curley’s wife allows him to feel her hair and he grabs it tightly. She cries out and in the process of Lennie trying to silence her, her neck accidentally brakes, and Lennie is in trouble once again. George saves Lennie from the anger of the men who lead him through a painful death. George mercifully shoots his friend subjecting him to a peaceful death. In this case, Curley’s wife dies having not attained her dream, and so does Lennie. George and Candy among others are left in a difficult position unfavorable to fulfill their dreams.

This book contains sorrowful incidences that would leave the audience in suspense. One would wish to know what happened to George later, more especially because he claimed to be cousin to Lennie at first, yet he killed him. The audience would try placing themselves in the George’s position. He has suffered severally for the sake of the strong friendship with Lemmie, yet at the end, he is the one forced by circumstances to kill Lemmie, his best friend. The audiences would take time and place themselves in the dream life, the dream for a better tomorrow that is never to come. This is the dream of a better lifestyle that the dreamers die without ever living the dream. Of mice and men is a fascinating book that uses symbolism, and with the major theme of the predatory nature of the existence of human beings. If one were to read it in print text, then he /she would think some pages are missing upon completing the reading. An electronic format reading would be more useful as the reader would find it easy to search and find the climax of the reading. Any interested reader should find an electronic format for ‘of mice and men’ book and enjoy the flow, the feeling of fiction, sympathy, and suspense, all at the same time.