In a society, everyone has dreams and hopes for their future, but they don't always come true. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck is an insightful story that embodies an important message about human desires. Dreams and hopes will be shattered in the face of reality. The relationships between the two main characters, George and Lennie, as well as the character of Curley's wife, support them. The message can also be seen through the use of settings and symbols in the text. George and Lennie, like all other migrant workers at the time of this novel, had created their own American dream. Both wanted to be able to “live off the fatta of the country”…and “have rabbits”” (Steinbeck 14) on a small piece of land that they could have for themselves. Their dream seemed easy to achieve; Candy, the old swamp girl, happily joined in their plans and even had money to help buy land. As Candy gives new hope to their dreams, it seems that the dream of owning land is within their reach. But reality hits: Lennie's caring but dangerous nature kills Curle....