Dreams And Loneliness In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

John Steinbeck conveys several themes in Of Mice and Men, the most important ones being dreams and loneliness. The workers’ ideas contrast sharply with their reality; their dreams of better things are unrealistic, but necessary to their survival. They also face alienation and marginalization that threaten friendship and economic security. These themes are foreshadowed by the reference to Burns ' mouse. In the book, they interlock: people who are lonely have most need of dreams to help them through.
Nearly all the characters of the novella harbor dreams and aspirations. However, as menial as these dreams may seem, they are unachievable. George and Lennie, and sometime after, Candy, share a doomed dream – to own a little farm and live off the crops they grow. Their dream is so central that it appears in five out of six chapters in the book. In fact, retelling the dream has become a ritual for both, George and Lennie: George provides the narrative, and Lennie picks up the refrain by finishing George’s sentences.
Having their own place has different meanings for each of them. To George, having their own place means security, control, independence, but most importantly, being “somebody”. To Lennie, it means safety, the responsibility of tending the rabbits, and a place where he won’t have to be afraid or scared. To Candy, it offers security for old age, and a home where he will fit in. For Crooks, the farm will be a place where he can have self-respect, acceptance, and like