Of mice and Men, the novel by John Steinbeck, is one of the most important texts in American literature because the characters represent significant roles that shows in the real world. During the Great Depression back in the 1930’s, many individuals had an American Dream that one will achieve, but had to be adjourn. There are many themes that are in the book of Mice and Men that stands out, but the one that stands out the most is a Dream Deferred. The theme is the most meaningful to the reader because of the feelings and thoughts of each character’s that is captured throughout the whole novel and everyone being able to relate the theme to themselves in one way or another.

One good example of a Dream Deferred in the book of Mice and Men is on Page 88, when Curley’s wife had the dream of becoming an actress, wanted to go to Hollywood and be in the "picture” was extremely important to her, but those dreams got crushed due to marrying Curley. She wanted more out of life than what she was restricted to and felt inquisitive throughout the novel. This is an example of the theme, A Dream Deferred: The Danger of Hope during the Great Depression. Women, back during the great depression, didn’t have any success being part of society. Discrimination was a huge thing back then, making them feel unimportant and different from the rest. This can relate to the reader because it show the image of how people’s dream get destroyed by people who are mean and rude.

Another good example of A Dream Deferred: The Danger of Hope during the Great Depression, is on page 99 “Already the sun had left the valley to go climbing up the slopes of the Gabilan Mountains, and the hilltops were rosy in the sun.” Lennie’s and George’s dream of owning their business made them lose sight of reality. When Lennie killed Curley’s wife, hurting Curley, they realized that their dream was rather impossible to achieve. They couldn’t face the reality. Since, the sun in the novel represents hope, there were no sun throughout the situation which meant that was no hope for George. This led to their breakdown, and loss their American dream at the very end of the novel when he killed Lennie and George gave up on his dream to live on his very own farm. This can relate to the reader because they might have a dream that they always wanted to do with someone but can’t because the other person decided to do another thing leaving the dream on hold. This type of situation can help the reader