What are some key quotes in Of Mice and Men that demonstrate the theme of hope and dreams?

When George narrates a vision of the future to Lennie and Candy, it represents how the theme of hope and dreams can be seen in Of Mice and Men.

In Chapter 3, Lennie asks George to narrate what their future might be like. It is clear that the life of moving from ranch to ranch and bucking bags of barley is taking a toll on both of them.  While George has repeatedly told Lennie...

When George narrates a vision of the future to Lennie and Candy, it represents how the theme of hope and dreams can be seen in Of Mice and Men.

In Chapter 3, Lennie asks George to narrate what their future might be like. It is clear that the life of moving from ranch to ranch and bucking bags of barley is taking a toll on both of them.  While George has repeatedly told Lennie of the future, this particular vision possesses greater depth: 

Sure, we’d have a little house an’ a room to ourself. Little fat iron stove, an’ in the winter we’d keep a fire goin’ in it. It ain’t enough land so we’d have to work too hard. Maybe six, seven hours a day. We wouldn’t have to buck no barley eleven hours a day. An’ when we put in a crop, why, we’d be there to take the crop up. We’d know what come of our planting.

Making direct references to the potential excitement of no longer having to "buck barley" and that "We'd know what come of our planting" show the theme of hope and dreams for the future. This is enhanced when George further describes a world where the life they lead would "be our own, an’ nobody could can us."  When Candy offers his financial help,  George represents the theme of hope and dreams:  “Jesus Christ! I bet we could swing her.” His eyes were full of wonder. “I bet we could swing her..."  The idea of "we could swing her" shows the zenith of hope and dreams in Of Mice and Men.  All three men believe in the authenticity of a future so very different from past and present.