Comparing The American Dream In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

The American Dream is an idea that incites hope in those looking for brighter futures. Everyone has goals they want to fulfill, and in their course to attain them their choices and actions can be altered. If such a dream were to fail, one can be left hopeless. The loss of her dream causes Curley’s wife to interact differently with other characters.
Curley’s wife had dreams of fame and riches in her childhood. She wanted to be an actress in shows or movies. Regardless of her hopes, her mother did not allow her to become an actress, “‘Well, a show came through, an’ I met one of the actors. He says I could go with that show. But my ol’ lady wouldn’t let me. She says because I was only fifteen’” (Steinbeck 88). Her mother shuts down her attempts to make something of herself and goes behind her back to prevent her from doing so. Curley’s wife had plans of acting in films and living in luxury, but her mom was intent on stopping her. Curley’s wife feels betrayed by her and marries Curley to get away from the household. The unhappy marriage isa desperate attempt

Their relationship is far from ideal, with Curley spending a majority of his time attempting to prove his dominance among the other men present on the farm than with his wife. Her perception of this is, “‘Swell guy, ain’t he? Spends all his time sayin’ what he’s gonna do to guys he don’t like, and he don’t like nobody’” (Steinbeck 78). Curley is more focused on inciting conflicts with the workers rather than spending time with the woman he married. Curley’s wife receives no attention from her husband and her dreams have been crushed. This leaves her to feel a sense of loneliness and as if she has nothing to look forward to. Without the plan of fame and glory the had originally imagined, she is lost. Feeling ignored by Curley, she turns to the other men on the farm for