The American Dream: Cultural and Social Downfall in John Steinbeck's <i>Of Mice and Men</i>

Abstract

As known, throughout history, most societies have experienced hard times that have made life difficult to bear. Among these hard times are political, social and economic conditions which shape the ways human beings perceive the world and lead their lives. The Great Depression, that ravaged American society in the 1929s, is one of the most catastrophic economic events in the history of America and it is considered to be a calamity resulting in unemployed, desperate and even homeless people. John Steinbeck, being one of the foremost representatives of American writers, handles the devastating effects of the Great Depression and how it affected numerous people from different parts of the community. In this period, from women to the black, from the old to the disabled. most people wanted to lead a life based on humanly standards but what they expected turned into a frustration paving the way for the impossibility of the American dream and thus cultural and social downfall of such people no matter how hard they try to achieve their goals. Steinbeck's novel titled Of Mice and Men in this context is a touching representation of frustration, hopelessness, despair to have a place to live in, and a portrayal of unattainable happiness and the impossible American dream. This paper explores the futile efforts to realize the American dream and thus unhappiness and failure from Steinbeck's point of view and it presents the reflections of such a concept through the fictionalized characters in the novel.