Thematic Statement for Of Mice and Men                        Zachery Rich
                                                              Period 1
                                                              11/11
	In John Steinbeck’s historical fiction Of Mice and Men, two labor workers, George and Lennie, find work at a ranch to achieve their dream of owning their own piece of land. Throughout his novel, he describes his theme as love makes limitations stronger. 
	One way Steinbeck describes the theme is through Lennie’s actions. While in the woods, George and Lennie had a conversation together exchanging the words "’God, you're a lot of trouble,’ said George. ‘I could get along so easy and so nice if I didn't have you on my tail. I could live so easy and maybe have a girl.’”(8) explaining how Lennie’s actions affect George. 
	Steinbeck also develops the theme through Lennie’s actions. After Lennie crushes Curley’s hand, George said  "Slim, will we get canned now? We need the stake. Will Curley's old man can us now?" (62) asking Slim if they might not achieve their dream of getting property. 
	Before Crooks was persuaded about getting the land, he said to Lennie  "’You guys is just kiddin' yourself. You'll talk about it a hell of a lot, but you won't get no land. You'll be a swamper here till they take you out in a box. Hell, I seen too many guys. Lennie here'll quit an' be on the road in two, three weeks. Seems like ever' guy got land in his head.’”(74)  foreshadowing Lennie causing them to not achieve their dream. 
	John Steinbeck  established love making limitations stronger through dialogue, actions, conflicts, and symbols effectively. His main characters George and Lennie displayed this through their father-son like relationship and dialogue. Lennie’s actions give effect on himself and George like their loss of jobs and nonachievement of their dream. 

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonachievement