The idea of having their own land and farm excites Lennie very much. He dreams of taking care of the rabbits and other animals. …show more content…
Without the monetary contribution from Lennie, the dream does not seem possible. The effect is much like that of children around Christmas time who believe in Santa Claus; they generate a faith in something outside of reality and make it magical for others too. As George speaks with Candy before leaving the barn to go after Lennie, he tells the old swamper,
"--I think I knowed from the very first. I think I knowed we'd never do her. He musta liked to hear about it so much I got to thinking maybe we would."
Once Lennie is gone, however, the magic of faith outside the real world is removed and the men are faced with the grim realities of the Great Depression. Truly, there is a significance to the name given to this period of history as people were both depressed and disenfranchised. With Lennie gone, George is faced with this grim reality of the era in which he lives as is Candy, and they lose faith in the American Dream of owning a small