Of Mice and Men, American Beauty Essay examples - 1159 Words

Through the comparative study of â€Å"Of Mice and Men† written by John Steinbeck in 1937 and â€Å"American Beauty† directed by Sam Mendes in 1999, it is apparent that the concept of the American Dream is timeless and enduring. Mendes and Steinbeck use language techniques such as dramatic foreshadowing and filmic techniques to define the American Dream’s spiritual and materialistic aspects. However, from the context of the Great Depression explored in â€Å"Of Mice and Men† to the economic boom of 1999 which provides the backdrop to â€Å"American Beauty†, society has greatly evolved. Hence, as the context changes, so does our understanding of the American Dream and its perceived values. â€Å"Of Mice and Men† is set during the Great Depression when people†¦show more content†¦In â€Å"Of Mice and Men†, the American Dream was literally a miracle during a time where money and work was scarce. With â€Å"I hardly never seen two guys travel together†¦ Never seem to give a damn about nobody.†, Slim sums up the nature of the people at the time, they were lone wolves and the dream was an impossible task to accomplish alone. Even so, the bond between Lennie and George gives the audience hope through the use of encouraging descriptions such as â€Å"We got a future. We’ll have a big vegetable patch and a rabbit-hutch and chickens.† However, this all comes falling down when they meet Curley’s wife. She recounted her dream of â€Å"Coulda been in the movies, an’ had nice clothes†¦coulda sat in them big hotels, an’ had pitchers took of me.† Repetition of the word â€Å"coulda† gave the read er a sense of what could’ve been if her dreams came true but instead her marriage has become lifeless. Curley’s wife showed that the American Dream apart from its beauty and hopes, was too fragile for reality during the Great Depression. Similarly, the fragility of the American Dream is also shown by the death of the pursuer in â€Å"American Beauty†. Lester Burnham has already acquired Lennie and George’s dream, yet he is arguably even further from happiness than they were, because Lennie and George were drawn together byShow MoreRelatedOf Mice and Men and American Beauty Essay1435 Words   |  6 Pagesinsights into the American Dream are offered through the novella Of Mice and Men and the film American Beauty? In your essay you must consider the influences of context and the importance of techniques in shaping meaning. Of Mice and Men, a 1937 novella by John Steinbeck and American Beauty, a 1999 film directed by Sam Mendes, offer various insights into the American Dream and are both contextually driven. Both texts present the possibility of different pursuits of the American Dream and portrayRead MoreOf Mice and Men Argumentative Essay1115 Words   |  5 PagesEssay Prompt: John Steinbeck’s novel, Of Mice and Men, has a controversial history. It has been repeatedly banned by school boards. Why might this book have been banned? Is such an action justified? In a five-paragraph essay, take a position for or against banning this novel. Use your three body paragraphs to develop each of three reasons for or against banning the novel. The Lost Portion of Human Society Right from the beginning of human civilization, books had become the vital flame that ignitedRead MoreJohn Steinbeck s Of Mice And Men1319 Words   |  6 PagesBryann Cervantes AP English IV Mrs. Batey Of Mice and Men To most, John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men is a revered novel on racial segregation in the United States. This text has been remarkably controversial because of the way it deals with difficult issues regarding race and the American dream; however, despite its disputable history, it is an incredibly important book that is used to study many aspects of race relations in the United States in the early to mid twentieth century, more specificallyRead MoreThe Grapes Of Wrath And Of Mice And Men1644 Words   |  7 PagesJarvis Johnson Research Paper John Steinbeck is an American author of 27 books, widely known for award winning novels, The Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice and Men; Steinbeck is also a Nobel Prize winning of Literature. Steinbeck’s writing expresses realistic and creative thoughts, combining as they do compassionate comedy (through Lennie) and intense social perception with their surrounding national culture. John Steinbeck, â€Å"Of mice and Men†, Printed in 1937, articulating a tale of characters, GeorgeRead MoreInfluence Of Writer s Life And Times1416 Words   |  6 Pagesin American history did the civilian population suffer the most financially than in the 1930s. The unemployment level rose to an all-time high, and inflation made it nearly impossible for the common man to afford basic luxuries. It was in this era that John Steinbeck wrote a short story based off of migrant laborers set in his hometown of Salinas. The Great Depression of the 1930s, a decade of hardship and destitution, greatly influenced John Steinbeck and his dismal novella, Of Mice and Men. SteinbeckRead MoreJohn Steinbeck: An American Writer During the Great Depression1315 Words   |  6 Pageswell-known writers emerged in that special historical time. Because of the difficult situations, American writers turned their focus to social problems and issues. They were motivated to arouse sympathy for the suffering of common people, especially those at the very bottom of the society. (Wang, 2012) John Steinbeck (1902-1968), born in Salinas, California, is one of the most significant and representative American writers in that era. He is the winner of the Noble Prize for Literature in 1962. John Steinbeck’sRead MoreOf Mice And Men And The American Dream Theme756 Words   |  4 Pagesimpossible. Of Mice and Men creates a world of gloom, sadness but also joy. The novella specifies many problems that the world had and still has in modern day. The novella is driven by a common theme that shows the flaws and strengths of the characters. The American Dream is an important theme in Of Mice and Men because it helps the characters look forward to a better future. Also, The American Dream makes the characters make important decisions that will affect their future. Finally, The American Dream madeRead MoreJohn Steinbeck s Of Mice And Men 1461 Words   |  6 Pages Of Mice and Men is a novella portraying the failure of the American Dream. Steinbeck explores many different aspects of the life in the 1930 s throughout the novella e.g. racism. Of Mice and Men teaches the grim lesson about the nature of the human existence, showing the impossible and pragmatic truth of the American Dream. Miller also does this, as in Death of a Salesman , Miller, shows that there are different versions of the American Dream. Willy believes that one only can rise toRead MoreAmerica Is Home To Many Great Writers Whom Come Different1709 Words   |  7 PagesAmerica is home to many great writers whom come different backgrounds. American authors like John Steinbeck who add biographical elements into their pieces of writing. John Steinbeck, one of the most honorable authors of time, is known for receiving Nobel Prize, California commonwealth club medal, Pulitzer Prize, and other great accomplishments towards publishing sixteen novels. Steinbeck’s realist style of writing and life experiences impacting his life show the reader he’s been through a lot inRead MoreAnalysis of Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck1493 Words   |  6 PagesAnalysis of ‘Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck ‘Of Mice And Men by John Steinbeck is a classic novel, tragedy, written in a social tone. The authorial attitude is idyllic, however, as the story develops it changes into skeptic. It is evident that Steinbeck knew the setting and places he is writing about. In my opinion Steinbeck drew the subject matter from his own experience of working on ranches, he was interested in special kinds of relationships among men working on ranches with him. There