How Does Steinbeck Present Discrimination In Of Mice And Men

“I ain’t a southern negro,” he said. “I was born right here in California." With these

On July 2nd in the year of 1776, the 56 delegates of the Second Continental Congress stood in the Pennsylvania State House and signed the Declaration of Independence, proclaiming the United State’s separation from Great Britain and listing their citizen’s rightful entitlements that Great Britain had not previously allowed them. Perhaps the most important of these is listed in the preamble: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” (Thomas Jefferson, principal author of Declaration of Independence). From the time the last blot of ink from the final signature on the Declaration of Independence dried and until the demise of these United States will this hold true, that all people are equal and will continue to be treated so, as long as we stand united; so why are minorities still being discriminated against if our country is based off the idea of equality? In the novella, Of Mice and Men, author John Steinbeck sheds light on the heart-wrenching topic of discrimination and how it affects people. Several characters in his story are victims of prejudice, whether it be over their gender, race, mental health status, disabilities, or age. These characters do not understand why they are being targeted, and frequently discuss how this affects them. Through the telling of these character’s stories, Steinbeck reveals the

John Steinbeck uses different methods to present Curley’s Wife and women in the 1930s. Throughout the novella Steinbeck represents women to be lower in society than men. In the novella women only have three different roles. A wife, an aunt and prostitutes. Steinbeck uses these roles to show the roles of women in society. Curley’s wife, Aunt Clara and Susy and Clara from the cathouse represent he microcosm of the women in American society.

Gender discrimination has been a large problem throughout the world. This type of discrimination was seen in the past and can still be seen today. In the 1930’s women were not treated nearly as equally as men. They were to do house work: cook, clean and raise the children. This is seen in Of Mice and Men because Curley’s wife is not on the ranch to do “ranch work,” she is there to be Curley’s lady and do things inside the house that the men wouldn’t do. In many countries women are often seen as objects. The reader can imply that the men on the ranch treat Curley’s wife as if she was an object as well since they do not give her a name. Based on how women were treated in the 1930’s readers can imply that the reason only one woman was at the ranch was because that wasn’t there job or that they were not strong or skilled enough to do the ranch work. Gender discrimination was not as large of a role in the novel, however, Curley’s wife being the only woman on the rach it became a bigger

The novel Of Mice and Men written by John Steinbeck is set in America in the 1930’s and it describes the lives of migrant farmers as they go from farm to farm looking for jobs. It also shows the loneliness of the characters and the hard work that they put in. The main characters of the book are Lennie, a man-child, and George, a small man but very powerful character that takes care of Lennie in their journey. Also when they get to the farm they meet the bosses wife who is very lonely and looks for company in the workers. Steinbeck uses characterization to bring his characters to life using various techniques.

Discrimination plays a big role in Of Mice and Men, since it takes place during the Great Depression. Racial segregation, gender rights, and handicap vulnerability are all problems in Of Mice and Men that reflect the society at the time. Curley’s wife, Crooks, and Candy are discriminated against on the ranch just like they would be in society.

“Well, you keep your place then, n*****. I could get you strung up on a tree so easy it ain’t even funny” (Steinbeck 81). In the novella, Of Mice and Men, the readers are following the life of Lennie and George, who are migrant workers during the Great Depression. Migrant workers, unlike Lennie and George, primarily travel alone, and they go from job to job. George and Lennie have been together since they were younger, as Lennie would come along with George while he worked, so they had become inseparable. Lennie got them kicked out of many jobs, but they landed a spot as a ranch hand bucking barley. Once they became acquainted with the farm, Lennie and George become friends with a man named Crooks, but before that, they are introduced to the ranch by Candy. As the story progresses, a theme of isolation, discrimination, and loneliness on Candy, Lennie, and Crooks is revealed.

We saw prejudice and discrimination throughout the book. For example, when Lafayette’s was charged with a crime due to hi, been associated with who did it. When LaJoe lost her benefits from the state due to her on and off husband using her home address and when collecting unemployment benefits which LaJoe did not claim as income coming into the home. In both instances, the Rivers were treated as if they were liars and criminals. Because of Lafayette being from the inner city, there was this predetermine thought about any youth that lived in the inner city from the court system. LaJoe was treated with disrespect by the welfare office because of the prejudgment they had formed about people that lived in the inner city. Due to the location in which they stayed, the importance of healthy living condition was not a priority to the city. They were forced to live in the vicinity of garbage, broken sewer systems, dead animals, etc. Also, the children were forced to either stay in their apartments or play on the railroad tracks because the city had only a few areas for them to play. These areas had become run down and it was unsafe for kids to play in. It is unsure why the was such neglect for those areas of the inner city, but one could only think that it had to do with how this race has been treated for years.

Crooks is a good example that discrimination shapes a person's life. Lennie had come into the barn and was in Crooks door way and crooks was uncomfortable due to Crooks being a negro and is used to people leaving him alone. “‘Come on in and set a while,’ Crooks aid ‘’long as you won't get out and leave

The final type of discrimination shown in the novel is discrimination against the physically and mentally disabled, in this case, Candy, Lennie, and once again Crooks. Because of disabilities, they are the weakness on which the stronger majority of the other men prey upon. Candy, the one handed housekeeper, is only allowed to live at the ranch as a compensation, because the loss of his hand occurred there. He gives the men power over him by being overly careful in what he does and says, because if he gets thrown out from the ranch, no one would take him. And just for that reason, he is drawn into George and Lennie?s dream of owning a farm. He wants the security of knowing that he has somewhere to stay for the rest of his life, and that he will not be discarded

Curley's wife is cast out because she is a woman. Curley watches over her carefully since she is his wife and the only woman on the farm. Curley does not allow his wife to converse with the other workers because he is afraid she will be unfaithful. She complains that individually, the men are generally nice, but in groups, they shun her and are sometimes cruel. Since Curley's wife is oppressed, she lashes out at a target that is weaker than she is, which is usually Crooks. He does the same.

“Prejudice is a great time saver. You can form opinions without having to get the facts.” This quote, once said by E. B. White, excellently states what the novel, Of Mice and Men, is trying to clearly state. Of Mice and Men is a profound novel that has many things to teach society. This novel, written by John Steinbeck, reflects many flaws in the world today. It mirrors many of the characteristics that every human possesses. Prejudice is still a common way of thinking in today’s society, and to the people who feel victimized, it can be hard to overcome. Curley’s wife, Lennie, and Crooks all deal with prejudice against themselves different ways.

Almost all the characters symbolize a certain type of discrimination but the strongest characters that portray discrimination in society is Candy and Candy’s dog, Crooks, and Curley’s wife. Candy is an old man that worked on the ranch until he had his arm cut off and was incapable of doing any heavy work and his dog was too an old, smelly dog who couldn’t do any work because of his age. Candy and his dog are a symbol of how the old, disabled, or infirmed are not valued in society nor are they wanted. Just like Candy’s dog can be replaced by a new, young pup, Candy can be replaced by a younger, stronger, and more capable worker. Crooks is a negro stable buck and represents discrimination of race. Crooks has his own corner of the stable where he sleeps and puts all his things in because the other men don’t want him in the bunkhouse because he is black. “‘Why ain’t you wanted?’ Lennie asked. ‘’Cause I’m black. They say I stink. Well, I tell you, all of you stink to me.’(68)” White people have power over him so if he makes any mistake he can be easily cut off and canned. This is shown when Curley’s wife shuts him down in a conversation, “Listen nigger. You know what I can do if you open your trap?” There is also Curley’s wife who represents discrimination of gender. Curley’s wife is a sweet, young girl who lives on the ranch with Curley where there are no other women but her so she tries to talk to the men. But since she is married she isn’t allowed to talk to anybody but Curley or she’ll be accused of being a flirt or a “tart”. Not only does

When it comes to racial and disability discrimination, it is the most common that brings people down. People that are either black, hispanic, asian, or any other race (besides caucasians) get picked on and brought down on because their race is different from others, which is something that shouldn’t even happen in this world. People with physical and or mental disabilities are also brought down on too. Sure some of them aren’t exactly made fun of, but they are still looked down on and discriminated by society. This happens in schools, businesses, restaurants, and other sorts of places. Although it depends on how the person treats them. It’s not their fault that they’re different from the other. So. In the book Of Mice And Men, the author John Steinbeck uses this character in said book named Crooks. He uses this character to show and describe us how racial and disability discrimination was back then, as well as the lessons that we can use for racial and disability discrimination that goes on today.

“The lack of human dignity experienced by Africans is the direct result of the policy of white supremacy. White supremacy implies black inferiority” (Nelson Mandela, 1964.) During the time period of Of Mice and Men, rights of black men and women were not urgent in society, especially in white-dominated southern California. Although Crooks may have shared the same gender with other men at the ranch, his skin color put him underneath all the others there, including Curley’s wife. With lack of representation and Crooks being the only black man on the farm, he is forced to settle with discrimination he faces daily, brought on by society’s view of blacks.