WebBy saying this, Lennie is referring to George as his guardian. Finally, Lennie is discriminated against in Of Mice and Men because he is mentally The guys wouldn't let him use his feet, so the n***** got him. However, they encounter some challenges that could possibly be a roadblock to their dreams. Of Mice and Men is a profound novel that has many things to teach society. WebIn the novel Of Mice and Men, Discrimination is present when an individual accepts appearance rather than personality.This present through the character of Crooks, who He reads a lot. Little skinner name of Smitty took after the n*****. Where we goin, George? The little man jerked down the brim of his hat and scowled over at Lennie. This affected the story by making the audience really sad when they killed his dog. If he coulda used his feet, Smitty says he woulda killed the n*****. That is if they let him in on their dream to buy their own house. Theys gonna be a bad mess about her. The names she calls Crook, Candy, and Lennie represent her prejudice towards blacks, the elderly, and people with disabilities. The only thing worse than being a woman on the ranch is being a black man. Many people just misunderstand Lennie and judge him right away. When the ranch workers and Curley find Curley's wife dead in the barn, they gather a lynch mob to find Lennie. Curleys still mad about his hand. As the only black man on the ranch, he is shown extreme discrimination. But he doesnt know his own strength and when he pets mice usually ends up killing them. Curley enjoys picking on bigger guys like Lennie because he is much smaller. As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 88,000 George always knew that Lennie never did anything bad out of meanness and that is why he You know what I can do if you open your trap? There is also Curleys wife who represents discrimination of gender. Dont make no difference who the guy is, longs hes with you. Nobody cant blame a person for lookin, she said. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. Lennie got them kicked out of many jobs, but they landed a spot as a ranch hand bucking barley. But his anger always fades when he realizes Lennie is handicapped and his compassion for Lennie overtakes him. Crooks, the black stable buck, is the victim of racial discrimination. "That ranch we're goin' to is right down there about a quarter mile. Jesus Christ, youre a crazy bastard! I forgot, Lennie said softly. WebLennie dimly understands that something is wrong with him, and that's exactly why he wants rabbits, because "they ain't so little" (1.79). I wasnt kicked in the head with no horse, was I, George? Be a damn good thing if you was, George said viciously. Curley's wife says her hair is soft and lets Lennie feel. WebCharacters, settings, and key themes. His language reveals the sexist between Curleys wife and the men on the ranch. Societies that discriminate against the weak are unjust. That aint no good, George.. Weve already seen he doesnt have a lot of the societal niceties down (like when to pet girls and when not to pet girls), but its actually pretty interesting that Lennie doesnt think of Crooks as being different from himself. The men at the ranch all believe that she tries to seduce them and then the boss would fire them. Prejudice is a great time saver. 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. Racial segregation, gender rights, and handicap vulnerability are all problems in Of Mice and Men that reflect the society at the time. He would be confined to a psychiatric hospital, where he would suffer cruel and degrading treatments. George extols the virtues of friendship to Lenny, explaining that they are not like everyone else that work in their profession because they travel together. There he is treated in a very demeaning manner by the ranch hands. Standin here talkin to a bunch of bindle stiffs a n***** an a dum-dum and a lousy ol sheep an likin it because they aint nobody else., Candys face had grown redder and redder, but before she was done speaking, he had control of himself. Lennie doesnt have hands, he has paws, as Steinbeck compares him to an animal. They was lookin for us, but they didnt catch us. Lennie giggled happily. This reveals the racism of the time had Crooks been white, the men would have hailed him as an expert. Shes a jail bait all set on the trigger. If we can get jus a few dollars in the poke well shove off and go up the American River and pan gold. WebGeorge says to Lennie at the beginning of the story, If he finds out what a crazy bastard you are, we wont get no job, but if he sees ya work before he hears ya talk, were set. He [Curley] stood crying, his fist lost is Lennies paw I wisht I could put you in a cage with about a million mice an let you have fun. His anger left him suddenly. George threatens to lock Lennie up inside a cage. Candy eventually makes his way into the room. Racism and prejudice works two ways. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. A big guy like you! Lennies lip quivered and tears started in his eyes. Another example of discrimination is against Curleys wife. In the world of the ranch, there are a lot of disadvantages to being crippled, black, mentally handicapped, or female. That Curley got his work cut out for him. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 2, George and Candy talk about Crooks. For he knows that if the boss learns of Lennies disability, neither of them will get jobs. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. Lennie is jes like a kid. Below are several quotes which reflect the racism on the ranch. Lennie has a mental disability and likes to feel soft things between his hands as a coping mechanism. The men on the ranch ignore her and never want anything to do with her because she is Curleys wife and Curley gets angry quickly, especially when it involves his wife. George said, If I see him, Ill pass the word you was looking for him. She smiled archly and twitched her body. George to Lennie. The story follows two migrant workers, George Milton and Lennie Smalls, during The Great Depression. The men on the ranch often use racial slurs and derogatory language to show their superiority. John Steinbeck has written 27 books and I have only read one, Of Mice and Men. WebDiscrimination plays a large role to feeling lonely. George looked sharply at him. She sees Lennie alone and acting a bit strange. Below is a summary of each chapter and the racial aspects. The novel titled, Of Mice and Men, written by John Steinbeck, derives from the poem, To a Mouse, written by Robert Burns in the 18th century. Segregation was used throughout the country as a racial divide, which is why Crooks lives alone in the barn. 60 lessons You can form opinions without having to get the facts. This quote, once said by E. B. For these characters, racist, sexist and degrading remarks are normal for the time period (early 1900s). Curleys wife is often misunderstood similar to Lennie. Get unlimited access to over 88,000 lessons. The next punch Curley threw, Lennie caught it and squeezed Curley's hand. Lennie has a dead mouse in his pocket because he likes to pet soft things but doesnt know his own strength and accidentally killed the mouse when he pet it too hard. Although Lennie has a mental disability, he has the strength to do a lot of the ranch work and is a very good worker. Maybe if he sees somethin, he dont know whether its right or not. If we could keep Curley in, we might, But Curleys gonna want to shoot im. Hes jes like a kid, aint he. Sure, hes jes like a kid. Crooks is not used to having the upper hand. Lennie asked. Lenny is discriminated against because he is mentally disabled, Crooks is black, Curley's wife is a woman, and Candy is old. Slim is another migrant worker who acts as a voice of reason in the surrounding injustice. Crooks is made to sleep alone in the barn, with the animals and segregated from everyone else. Ya see the stable bucks a n****r. N****r, huh? Yeah. All rights reserved. "Sure. In these two articles, one titled Of Mice and Men, Masterplots, Fourth Edition, by Angela D. Hickey and the other titled Of Mice and Men, Masterplots II: Juvenile & Young Adult Literature Series, Supplement, by Lynn C. Munro, the authors explain the way John Steinbeck wrote about prejudice. Curley mistreats her, and she dreams of becoming a movie star. (p. 68) Discrimination is the treatment of a person based on the group, class, or category to which that person belongs. I didnt forget that, you bet., God, youre a lot of trouble, said George. Both wore black, shapeless hats and both carried tight blanket rolls slung over their shoulders. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 3. Most of the characters are discriminated against for various reasons. And now there aint a colored man on this ranch an theres jus one family in Soledad., Want me to tell ya whatll happen? Entire Document, See Psychological Research & Experimental Design, All Teacher Certification Test Prep Courses, Of Mice and Men: Literary & Historical Context, Dreams in of Mice and Men: Examples & Quotes, Praxis English Language Arts - Content & Analysis (5039): Practice & Study Guide, NYSTCE English Language Arts (003): Practice and Study Guide, George Milton in Of Mice and Men: Description & Quotes, Lennie Small in Of Mice and Men: Description & Quotes, Slim in Of Mice and Men: Description & Quotes, Carlson in Of Mice and Men: Description & Quotes, Who is Candy in Of Mice and Men? If he pinches their heads, they'll survive. Lennie didnt mean to kill the puppy, he explained that he was jus playin with him an he made like hes gonna bite me an I made like I was gonna smack him an an I done it. I can go away any time. No look! Candy and his dog are a symbol of how the old, disabled, or infirmed are not valued in society nor are they wanted. The two men travel together throughout the Salinas Valley of California to find steady work. They let the n***** come in that night. I wanna get outa here., For two bits Id shove out of here. This novel, written by John Steinbeck, reflects many flaws in the world today. Crooks became very bitter and lonely in this story because of his discrimination/segregation from everybody else. The author shows oppression of the characters through their effect on others, actions, and their dialogue. Jesus, we had fun. Unfortunately, Lennie doesn't know his strength and always kills the mice by petting them too hard. I know there aint. Sure, its swell. They got no family. I tell ya, I tell ya a guy gets too lonely an he gets sick., A guy sets alone out here at night, maybe readin books or thinkin or stuff like that. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. By continuing well assume you In the novel Of Mice And Men by John Steinbeck, many characters are unfairly oppressed. Designed for GCSE English Literature Examinations Prejudice and Discrimination. Chapter 4- All the ranch workers have gone into town, and Lennie is left in the barn with his puppy. He didnt know why then, but now he does. He has his broom in his hand. George knew what had happened and understood, but in the end decided to kill him painlessly to protect him. Lennie is presented as almost less than human, his mental retardation made obvious by the fact that he is not intelligent enough to check if the water is fresh and clean. The story revolves around and Lennie and George, two workers who travel together. Blubberin like a baby! Candy tells George how Crooks was allowed to enter the bunkhouse at Christmas time when the boss bought a gallon of whiskey for the men. Slowly, like a terrier who doesnt want to bring a ball to its master, Lennie approached, drew back, approached again. Later in the story, Lennies incredible strength causes two deaths, first he kills a puppy and then Curleys wife. Although she intends to deal with loneliness, George describes her as a tart and rattrap. The conversation makes him momentarily forget his separateness. Migrant workers, unlike Lennie and George, primarily travel alone, and they go from job to job. People with a mental disability are often looked The issues in the novel illustrates the routine and frustrations in the lifestyle of a nomadic migrant worker. John Stamos, A world is to be fought for, sung, and built: Love must imagine the world. But they wont do nothing like that. Lennie copes by petting mice or soft material. George tells Lennie if he happens to get in trouble at their new site job to travel back to the riverbed and hide in the brush. He looked across the fire at Lennies anguished face, and then he looked ashamedly at the flames. Carlson, another ranch worker, tells Candy he should get rid of his dog because it's old and smells. Crooks and Candy give her a hard time and ask her to leave. Chapter 3 - George confides in Slim about how Lennie keeps getting into trouble. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. Nevertheless, she uses her sexuality to gain power over them, allowing her to earn some respect. I wont have no place to go, an I cant get no more jobs" (60). WebLennie was just sitting there listening to her and he didnt say anything that couldve made her upset. You know all of it. Noyou tell it. In of Mice and Men the main characters have different levels of struggles. Yes, maam. Well, you keep your place then, N*****. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 4. Strong as a bull, he repeated. The woman misunderstood this action and accused him of rape. In, Almost all the characters symbolize a certain type of discrimination but the strongest characters that portray discrimination in society is Candy and Candys dog, Crooks, and Curleys wife. We got a future. But being little more than Curleys property, she could not pursue her ambitions and instead lives a life of loneliness and no freedom. Friendships are symbiotic relationships, where people share their talents and qualities to help each other through life (website). Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. Furthermore this shows my point,George lay where he was and whistled softly to himself.There were sounds of splashing down the river in direction Lennie had taken. Good point, but we're still not sure it's worth it. Intolerance is many forms in the book, such as Crooks being beaten up at the Christmas party due to his skin color or Crooks being separated as if he has the plague unlike now which it is not socially acceptable we celebrate this form of equality with things like February being Black History Month. I could get you strung up on a tree so easy it aint even funny.. Thus, through Candy, Crooks, and Curleys wife, Steinbeck reveals the powerful. The boss pointed a playful finger at Lennie. The boss gives him hell when he's mad. 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. Aw, Lennie! George put his hand on Lennies shoulder. George is like a parental figure to Lennie, who acts like a child playing hide and seek games. But while Lennie may annoy him sometimes George needs him and doesnt want to be without him. Sometimes he gets thinkin, an he got nothing to tell him whats so an what aint so. They'll tie ya up with a collar, like a dog." Lennie is a guy who is often misjudged by his size in Of Mice and Men. He confesses that he accidentally killed his puppy and that George will be mad. Yes sir. You have girls. There wasnt another colored family for miles around. I could get you strung up on a tree so easy it aint even funny (Steinbeck 81). George loses patience with and verbally abuses Lennie for asking the same question over and over again. Shortly after Lennie killed the puppy, he killed Curleys wife. He was the master of the situation. The novella is a realistic representation of discrimination in society. George is wondering what he should do about Lennie after Curleys wifes body is discovered. After they killed Candys dog for the reason that it was old, candy felt lonely especially since it was his only friend for a long period of time, he also hated the fact that he had no power to stop it, candy looked helplessly at him for Slims opinions were law. He was depressed when his dog is shot, he rolled slowly over and faced the wall and lay silent. It reflected on the position candy was himself, filthy old, disabled, no use, features which candy and his best friend withhold. Lennie breaks Curley's hand, but the men make up a fake story, so George and Lennie do not get fired. What is Steinbeck's message about discrimination? Candy, the one handed housekeeper, is only allowed to live at the ranch as a compensation, because the loss of his hand occurred there. Curley's wife enters the barn, and Crooks quickly persuades her to leave. Steinbecks novel Of Mice and Men takes place during the Great Depression, 1940s era and describes a very realistic situation about characters who are simply trying to get by and chasing the American Dream but struggles with conflict within themselves and the outside world. Discrimination is demonstrated in Of Mice and Men many times throughout the book with Lennie, Curleys wife, and Crooks. He tells them he is the swamper, mopping and sweeping around the bunks and farmhouses. She also holds a Master of Arts in English literature from the University of Virginia at Charlottesville, and a BA in English from Tusculum College in Greeneville, Tennessee. It's not true. If he finds out what a crazy bastard you are, we won't get no job, but if he sees ya work before he hears ya talk, we're set." For he knows that if the boss learns of Lennies disability, neither of them will get jobs. This is shown when Curleys wife shuts him down in a conversation, Listen nigger. George often gets angry with Lennie because the physically very strong Lennie cannot control himself. So it don't mean nothing, see?" The social gap between blacks and white is still very apparent. "[The boss gave] the stable buck hell?" Of Mice and Men echoes the famous lines, 'The best laid plans of mice and men often go astray, and leave us only grief and pain for promised joy!' Whatd you take outa that pocket? Aint a thing in my pocket, Lennie said cleverly. You get another mouse thats fresh and Ill let you keep it a little while., Lennie looked sadly up at him. An spose they lock him up an strap him down and put him in a cage. I mean you pull the curtain away, and you see I'm just as insecure and neurotic and scared and vulnerable as anybody, you know. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. Curley's wife is a weak character; the only power she has is threatening those with a disability or a person of color to control the situation. I dont know why I cant talk to you. She threatens him and says she can accuse him of raping her. What you want of a dead mouse, anyways? I could pet it with my thumb while we walked along, said Lennie. These are all examples from the characters of discrimination both in Of Mice and Men and real life. After he. "Yes sir. I tell ya I could of went with shows. Lennie is allowed to enter Crooks' room due to the similarity of their circumstances. We got somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us. It aint the same if I tell it. I could get along so easy and so nice if I didnt have you on my tail. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 2. In chapter one, Steinbeck shows how those with disabilities are misunderstood, mistreated, and discriminated against. Everywhere he goes, he is harassed and made fun of. Maybe hes showin off for his wife., Don?t you even take a look at that bitch. There are many examples of discrimination in the novel, Of Mice and Men. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. We think it might just be good sense. In Depression era, people discriminated African-American people by using derogatory terms, physically assaulting them and limiting their socialization. WebLonely and flirtatious, she is discriminated against by the men, who are contemptuous of her and wont engage in conversation with her for fear of being fired. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. George scowled at him, and Lennie dropped his head in shame at having forgotten. She is discriminated against because of her flirtatious personality. Its mean here. We gotta stay, George said shortly. An have rabbits. Even though slavery has been abolished, African Americans dont have equal rights. But should George, who keeps dragging Lennie around with him, have taken some action before the big guy wound up killing someone? Candy tells the two men about others living on the ranch, one of whom is a black stable buck named Crooks. Got a crooked back where a horse kicked him. You know what I can do to you if you open your trap? Crooks stared hopelessly at her, and then he sat down on his bunk and drew into himself. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 2. We might, he said. WebA lot of characters are discriminated against in Of Mice and Men but prove it wrong in the end. Lennie continuously gets into trouble because he doesn't learn from his mistakes. Crooks on human rights. Poor Lennie offers to go and find a cave if George doesnt want him anymore. I might of knew, he said gently. Each one of these characters experience discrimination in the book and it can be related to our lives today. Chapter 1- The audience is introduced to George and Lennie, two migrant workers on their way to a job at a new ranch. An important additional theme is loneliness and companionship. Nice fella too. So you forgot that awready, did you? He likes to touch soft things and when she lets him touch her hair, she jerked her head sideways and Lennies fingers closed on her hair and hung on (Steinbeck 91). Society treats Curley 's Wife poorly because she is a woman, Crooks because he is black and Lennie because he is disabled. 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. George is tasked with looking after Lennie, a large man with a mental disability. Luckily, FreeBookSummary offers study guides on over 1000 top books from students curricula! "An' Crooks been here a long time. Ranch with a bunch of guys on it aint no place for a girl, specially like her., You go on get outta my room. Whatta they think I am, anyways? Steinbeck shows the realities of the time and the struggle characters face through discrimination. George shoots Lennie so he does not have to suffer at the hands of the lynch mob. Crooks has his own corner of the stable where he sleeps and puts all his things in because the other men dont want him in the bunkhouse because he is black.
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