Mental Disabilities In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

Lennie’s inability to think for himself and know the difference between right and wrong is most apparent in his actions when he talks. Even though Lennie’s physical strength makes him appear to be a person of power, his physical strength is the only form of power that he possesses. Lennie is constantly powerless against his mind’s perception that limits him to behave in a child-like manner against the consequences of his actions. For example, he knows that he needs to act correctly and does not want to do bad things, however he lacks the mental capability of an adult that lets him differentiate what’s right from wrong causing him to rely on George for protection and guidance.

Steinbeck describes how Crooks’ life was when he was younger “The white kids come to play at our place” “My ol’ man didn’t like that. I never knew till long later why he didn’t like that.” Since he was small, he was taught how to deal with disappointment (by his father). However, the mere fact the white children played with him shows how a child’s innocence shows no prejudices and that it is not natural to hate someone for something as fickle as the colour of their skin. In a sense, it is sad how he had finally understood what his father meant, because as he was older, people hated him for being

Curley’s wife is a lonely and Naïve, and that makes her an easy prey. She is the only woman on the ranch she is a lonely woman. Her husband, Curley, is a mean and over powering man, uses her to pick fights with other guys. He is a terrible husband who not only is mean to his wife but also leads us to believe that he beats her up. Curley’s wife usually would listen to her records but Curley even breaks those. Her flirtatious nature is what gets her into trouble, and that also leads her to her death. Lennie is a gentle giant who doesn’t mean to hurt anybody but accidentally does. In the case of Lennie, Curley’s wife does not know what she is getting in for. Curley’s wife flirtatious nature is a harsh reality but as an innocent person get her in to trouble.

Crooks is the only black man on the ranch, and is often discriminated against by all the other workers at the ranch. He is usually excluded from many activities that all the other men participate in, and is ignored by most of the workers. “I ain’t wanted in the bunk house…cause I’m black…” This quote shows how the other men who work at the ranch reject and isolate Crooks, and how he is forced to have his own bunk house, since he isn’t allowed to reside in the same bunk house as the other workers. Crooks leads a harsh, lonely life, only because the

The character of Crooks is a victim of intolerance and discrimination throughout the novel. Society takes advantage of Crooks and neglects him because of the stereotypes of his skin colour. Crooks is not allowed to enter the bunk house where the white men sleep, or dine with them. He is left with the animals, isolated from everyone and exploited by most of the men on the

Not every disability is the result of physical injury, like a broken bone or blindness. Sexism, racism, and discrimination dominated the time period, which affected many of the characters in Of Mice and Men, all of which represent the society of the Great Depression. The novel’s women illustrate the massive disadvantages they faced at the time - most of the book’s women are prostitutes, and

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 long, hard war of human equality in society, has been a war since the beginning of civilization. The Great Depression, a tragic time in America’s history, reflects American determination, but also social inequality. In the fiction novella, Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck uses symbolism and characterization to address ableism and sexism in society. Steinbeck addresses these flaws in society in an attempt to ultimately bring awareness these riffs before society falls.

The character Crooks is not accepted due to the fact that he is an African American male in a white dominated society. The ranch owner has Crooks segregated from the rest of the workers, and in his own separate room. All of the people treat him unfairly by the things they say to him just because of the color of his skin. Referring to Crooks as the n-word quite often, they only see this situation from their point of view. “‘Sure. Ya see the stable buck’s a nigger’” (20). Because of these characteristics of Crooks he is lower than the typical man in society. Crooks also does not fit society’s ideal image of a person because he is also handicap. When Crooks was younger he was kicked in the back by a horse, and now he has a crooked back. “‘Got a crooked back where a horse kicked him’” (20). One night, when George and all the other guys went out to town, they left Lennie behind at the barn with the puppies. Later on, Lennie found his way into Crooks’ bedroom in the back of the barn. Of course it was different at first, and they did not seem

In 1929, tears swept the nation and gloom bestowed itself upon a once happy place. The Great Depression had started. People lost everything ,so many became migrant workers. Of Mice and Men, a classic novel written by John Steinbeck, emphasizes many sad themes, but gives us a good insight on what life was like in the 1940’s for many people. Although there are other themes, rootlessness, loneliness, and poverty are extremely prominent throughout the novel in many characters.

The novel, Of Mice and Men, talk about different characters and how things were back in the Great Depression by following two ranchers, George and Lennie. When the novel first introduces the setting at the lake, it also introduced the two main characters. George is described as the one that seems to take in everything with his “restless eyes and sharp, strong features” and Lennie follows him. Lennie is described as “a huge man, shapeless of face, with large pale eyes, with wide sloping shoulders;” George and Lennie look like opposites which draws the question, Why are they traveling together? The answer becomes clear once we get into the novel but before that, Lennie starts to drink the scummy water and plays like a toddler in the lake. This shows that he has some mental disability and this is further shown when he starts to forget everything. His disability foreshadows trouble which shows that Lennie is the one that causes the most trouble because of his mental disability to forget everything, how he isn’t wanted anywhere, and how his disability ultimately ends up ruining dreams and lives.

Disabilities can be mental : everything is in your head; and one of the characters that has mental disabilities is Lennie, society treats him in a harsh ways. When Curley comes into the bunkhouse, and sees that only George answers his questions, he screams to Lennie : “Curley stared levelly at him. ‘Well, nex’ time you answer when you’re spoke to.’ He turned toward the door and walked out, and his elbows were still bent out a little.” Lennie can’t answer Curley because of his mental conditions. Curley doesn’t seem to get it so he treats Lennie very poorly by screaming at him. George is talking about Lennie to Slim : “One day a bunch of guys was standin’ around up on the Sacramento River. I was feelin’ pretty smart. I turns to Lennie and says, ‘Jump in.’ An’ he jumps. Couldn’t swim a stroke. He damn near drowned before we could get him.” This quotation shows that people take advantage of Lennie’s disabilities just to have fun and watch him suffer. It’s not Lennie’s fault if he jumped in the river and people know that, but they still choose to treat him carelessly, and wrongly. In conclusion, we know that Lennie suffers from mental

In the novel, “Of Mice and Men”, by John Steinbeck, the main focus is on George and Lennie. These two gentlemen have a bond like no other. George is skinny, short, and a little older, but Lennie is tall, big, and a little younger than George. These two workmen travel together, because Lennie’s aunt asked george to take care of him. Lennie’s Aunt Clara asked George to take him, because Lennie is mentally challenged, and forgetful. At times George would get so mad at Lennie, for making them have to go from ranch to ranch. During their gallivant to different ranches, Lennie was unaware of his own strength. Although, they meet others along the way. Thus, Lennie and George were left with each other on their journey, though it was not always pleasant.

Accepting differences has been an issue faced throughout all of mankind. The same is true at the time of the Great Depression, where race, gender, and disabilities all played a role in deciding how society will treat a person or a group of people. Of Mice and Men is an influential American story written by John Steinbeck. The book expresses the harsh reality of being a migrant worker during the Great Depression. In Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck displays the negative impact of discrimination against people with physical and mental differences, this is revealed through the characters of Curley's wife, Lennie, and Crooks.

Though they were considered equal beings, blacks were still, at times, victims or segregation. Because the novella draws significant parallels with the time period, the denunciation of black americans is unmistakable, as evidenced by the treatment of Crooks. Steinbeck conveys Crooks’s loneliness through the quote; “‘`Cause I’m black. They play cards in there, but I can’t play because I’m black’” (Steinbeck 68).