Common Ground In many of John Steinbeck's works there are themes and elements that parallel his other works. Steinbeck often deals with the consequences of people's misfortune and the realization that their dreams have been destroyed. We can see this in his Pulitzer Prize winning The Grapes of Wrath and in his critically acclaimed novel Of Mice and Men Steinbeck shows us the results of people having their dreams destroyed. Steinbeck shows us that in his work he gives different characters similar goals and aspirations and has them destroyed in similar ways. In both of the above-mentioned books key characters have their dreams destroyed. "Steinbeck often created characters who possessed noble goals; noble goals in a world of desperation and corruption. His characters dreamed not of tangible luxuries, but a dream of bodily comfort and refuge with loved ones" (Thomas 238). In Of Mice and Men, Lennie and George travel to California to find work. Once they have enough money, Lennie and George plan to be independent and not worry about the outside world and its puzzles. George said, "Someday we'll get all the jack together and have a little house and a couple of acres, a cow and some pigs." (Robert, 187). George's dream ran deeper than his love of farming and independence. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The motivation for this dream was not only the product of the poor state of the country and widespread unemployment, but it was a dream that could guarantee a happy ending for Lennie. George is eager to secure his own place so that Lennie can live the kind of life where he can be happy and not be hurt by people who don't understand his simple ways. George would run the farm; Lennie took care of the rabbits. This was Lennie's dream, to take care of rabbits. He couldn't think of anything more fun than taking care of rabbits. "Lennie's dream is to have as many rabbits as he can care for, and his attempts to do the right thing are motivated by his fear that George won't let him care for the rabbits." (Tedlock 243). In The Grapes of Wrath the Joad family also dreams of moving west. They do so in hopes of escaping the terrible situation in Oklahoma. “I'll buy a car and go west where it's easy to live.” (Steinbeck 57). The Joads like Lennie and George plan to save enough money for their plot of land. Once they complete this task, they hope to live a self-sufficient life and rely on each other. They believe that once in California they will find life easier and will find everything they need in surplus. "Just let me go to California where I can pick an orange when I feel like it. Or some grapes, there's one thing I can't get enough of. I'll pick a whole bunch of grapes off a bush, or whatever ." , and I'll smash them in my face and let them run off my chin." (Steinbeck 105). There is clearly a parallel between the themes of these two books. As both works have the same basis for the characters' dreams. As the dream was destroyed George and Lennie never realized their dreams. When they arrived at the farm for work; George and Lennie immediately felt the hostility of the ranch owner's son, Curley was a sinister and irascible man who owned little physical stature. From Curley's first meeting with Lennie, Curley was looking for an excuse to fight the naive Lennie "Curley develops a hatred for the larger man which will express itself in his desire to maim Lennie in the final scene." 4296) Lennie ended up killingCurley's wife. However, it was not a harmful act. It was an accident that had unpleasant consequences. "Lennie's greatest difficulty is remembering. Even though he never intends to do anything wrong, he simply can't remember what's wrong and what's not." (Magil 89). The result was the death of Curley's wife, and that Curley ordered the men to kill Lennie. The workers gathered and took up arms. George knew that the men did not intend to right a wrong, but to seek revenge. George decided he had to kill Lennie. George knew that this was the only solution that would spare Lennie the misery that would be inflicted on him by Curley and his men. Like George and Lennie, the Joads never saw their dreams materialize. They were victims of the greed of this time period. People in the West were against change. They were afraid of migrants because of their different lifestyles. "Sure they speak the same language, but they're not the same. Look at how they live. Do you think any of us would live like that? Hell no!" (Steinbeck 302). The Joads soon learned that the people of the West actually hated the "Oakies." A man returning to the Midwest from California told of the troubles that awaited him. "People will look you in the eye. They'll look at you and their face will say, 'I don't like you, you son of a bitch.' people's faces like they hate you" (Steinbeck 306). When the Joads arrive in California they realize that their dreams will remain unanswered. The land looked beautiful but the circumstances did not allow for prosperity. "Looking at the valley the Joads regret that theirs cannot be the peaceful life it promises." (Tedlock 40). George and Lennie's dreams were destroyed due to apathy. Throughout this novel we can see how Steinbek's characters have a complete lack of concern for the well-being of others. In the first chapter the bus driver takes George and Lennie miles away from their destination. The driver only did it to save himself a few minutes of work. The dream was not destroyed because of Lennie's killing of Curley's wife. But because of Curley's lack of empathy. If Curley had been more understanding and respectful of Lennie's condition, the dream may have grown and blossomed into reality. However, under the circumstances, George had no choice but to sacrifice his and Lennie's dream so that Lennie would not suffer at Curley's hands. George decided the only solution was to kill Lennie. The Joads also saw their dreams destroyed at the hands of apathetic people. The Joads were treated and looked at by the ranch owners like a team of oxen. They were expected to work long, hard hours to insult wages. The authorities had no concern for the poor they took advantage of. The children were not even spared from work and, like their parents, suffered from hunger. "Boys you should see them. Little pimples, as if they've come out, and they can't run around. Give them some unexpected fruit, and they'll swell." ('Steinbeck 363). They turned their heads from the atrocities unfolding before them and bowed their heads to the almighty dollar. Migrants had no choice if they wanted to work. If they refused the salary someone else would be happy to take the job. "Suppose you have a job, and you work, and there's only one guy who wants the job. You have to pay him what he wants. But suppose those men have children, and those children are hungry. Suppose you put a cent." buy them a box of mush. If you have a hundred men,.