How does the American Dream give characters in Of Mice And Men hope?

Most of the characters in Of Mice and Men are migrant workers. This means they travel, wandering from job to job on different farms or ranches. Their pay is low, they have no job security, and they can't put down roots in any one community. As we see on the ranch, the men share a bunkhouse, so they have no privacy and are forced to put up with people they may not like. Further, they have no paid holidays or vacations, so they can't take a day off. The work is not very satisfying, and they can never get ahead, so most of the men blow their money on prostitutes and drinking.
The American Dream for George and Lennie is the dream of saving and pooling their money to buy a small farm and living on the "fat of the land." It is appealing and offers hope to the ranch hands because it represents putting down roots, being your own boss, having a private space where you can keep out people you don't like, and being able to take a day off if you wish. It is a dream of freedom, autonomy, and dignity.

Throughout the novella, several characters have dreams that occupy their minds away from the harsh realities of life. George and Lennie are migrant workers who travel throughout America in search of jobs to survive the economic crash. Their transient lifestyle and arduous work make their lives difficult. They lack financial stability, control over their own destiny, and a structured, comfortable environment. Their dream of one day owning their own self-sufficient homestead allows them an opportunity to relax and ease their minds. It gives the two men hope for the future and motivates them to save their money. Candy and Crooks also fantasize about joining George and Lennie on their homestead one day. Candy offers a substantial amount of money to live with the two men and instantly experiences a feeling of relief knowing that his dream is a possibility. Overall, the dream of owning property, being financially stable, and controlling one's destiny offers the workers a mental escape and brief respite from their difficult lives.