The document discusses the concept of the American Dream, defining it as the belief that through hard work and determination, citizens of the United States can achieve prosperity and success. It states that the idea is rooted in the Declaration of Independence's promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. However, the American Dream is also criticized for creating inflated expectations. The document then asks what George and Lennie's American Dream is in the novel Of Mice and Men and provides an excerpt from a lesson plan about analyzing characters' dreams in relation to this concept.

1. The American Dream.
Read the definition of the American Dream. What does it mean?
Is it true? What do you think of it?
The American Dream is a national ethos of the United States of
America in which democratic ideals are perceived as a promise of
prosperity for its people. In the American Dream, first expressed
by James Truslow Adams in 1931, citizens of every rank feel that
they can achieve a "better, richer, and happier life." The idea of
the American Dream is rooted in the second sentence of the
Declaration of Independence which states that "all men are
created equal“ and been endowed with "Life, Liberty and the
pursuit of Happiness.“
The American Dream has been credited with helping to build a
cohesive American experience but has also been blamed for
overinflated expectations.
What is George and Lennie’s ‘American Dream’?

2. Date ‘Of Mice and Men’
ILO:
By the end of the lesson I will be able
to:
• Compare metaphorical links between
characters and connect it to the
American Dream Principle.

3. Assessment:
This lesson I will:
• Use peer assessment.

4. Build:
• Read the
opening two
paragraphs of
chapter 3.
• What is the
mood and how /
why is it
created?
• Read to “...Lennie
came in through the
door...”
• Why were the men in
Weed?
• What else do we
learn about Lennie?
• How does Lennie fit /
not fit into the
stereotypical
American Dream.

5. Apply:
•Read to “...faced the
wall and lay silent...”
•How are the dog and
Candy linked?
•Write a paragraph,
with embedded quotes,
explaining the
metaphorical link
between Candy and his
dog and how this fits
into the American
Dream.
Functional skill: making comparisons.

6. Demonstrate:
Imagine that you are Candy.
How do you feel about the death of
your dog? Use emotive language.
Refer to the American Dream.
Write a diary entry about the incident.

7. Assessment:
Swap your books with a partner. Read Candy’s diary
entry.
1. Is the writing from Candy’s perspective?
2. Is it emotive?
3. Have Candy’s thoughts been linked to the American
Dream?
4. Write one feature of the writing that you like.
5. Write one way the writing could be improved.