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Do crooks want to join the dream?

Published in Literary Themes 3 mins read

Yes, Crooks definitely expresses a strong desire to join the dream.

The Allure of the Dream for Crooks

Crooks, the isolated stable buck on the ranch, articulates a profound wish to be part of George and Lennie's envisioned future. This longing stems directly from his incredibly difficult and solitary existence. For Crooks, the dream of owning a piece of land and living independently represents a powerful escape from the pervasive isolation and discrimination he endures daily due to his race and physical disability.

His initial skepticism, born from years of seeing dreams fail, eventually gives way to a glimmer of hope when he realizes the tangible possibilities, especially with Candy's financial contribution. The prospect of genuine companionship and a place where he wouldn't be judged or relegated to the margins makes the dream incredibly appealing. It offers a chance at dignity, security, and belonging—things he is severely deprived of in his current life.

Why the Dream Resonates

The dream of a small farm, a place to call their own, is a central motif that offers solace and purpose to several characters struggling with loneliness and hardship. For Crooks, it's not just about the land; it's about the fundamental human need for connection and respect. His life on the ranch is marked by physical pain and emotional neglect, making the promise of a shared future with others incredibly potent.

  • Escape from Isolation: Living in the harness room, separate from the other ranch hands, Crooks experiences extreme loneliness. The dream offers a way out of this emotional prison.
  • Desire for Belonging: He yearns for a place where he is accepted and has a voice, rather than being dismissed or ignored.
  • Hope for a Better Life: The dream represents a chance to transcend his current miserable circumstances and achieve a measure of peace and independence.

Characters Drawn to the Dream

The yearning for the dream is not exclusive to Crooks; it's a shared aspiration among those who feel marginalized or trapped by their circumstances. The dream provides a beacon of hope in an otherwise bleak reality, offering a glimpse of a better life.

Character Desire to Join Dream Primary Motivation
Crooks Yes To escape profound racial isolation and achieve dignity and companionship.
Candy Yes To escape loneliness, find security in his old age, and avoid being "canned."
George Yes To achieve independence, escape the transient life, and fulfill a shared vision of stability.
Lennie Yes To tend the rabbits and live out his simple, idyllic vision of peace and comfort.

Both Crooks and Candy, facing their own forms of isolation and vulnerability, actively ask to be involved in George and Lennie's dream. For them, it is a direct attempt to break free from the difficult and isolating lives they lead on the ranch. This collective longing underscores the universal human desire for hope, companionship, and a better future.