Most of the characters in Of Mice and Men reflect racism. WebFirstly, the most obvious form of discrimination is skin color. Candy, the one handed housekeeper, is only allowed to live at the ranch as a compensation, because the loss of his hand occurred there. There are government programs to help support disabled people and also older people, so they dont have to keep enduring the hard labor that they once had to. And a manure pile under the window. Crooks is discriminated because of his skin color. Below is a summary of each chapter and the racial aspects. Chapter 2 - George and Lennie arrive at the ranch and are greeted by an older man with only one hand, Candy. Discrimination is still a problem today. flashcard sets. George also contributes to accusing Curleys wife of being a tart, by stating, In this quotation, George is warning Lennie to stay away from her. Curleys wife, Lennie, and Crooks all deal with prejudice against themselves different ways. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 2. Curleys wife only wants someone to talk with her, but the men on the ranch mistake her trying to start conversations as sexual advances: I never seen nobody like her. One night, when some of the guys were in the barn, they brought up the idea of shooting the old dog, and putting it out of its misery. This reveals the racism of the time had Crooks been white, the men would have hailed him as an expert. This passage highlights the need for companionship and the oppressive nature of society for Crooks, who faces both loneliness and discrimination. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. Almost all of the characters who, in. Lennie is a guy who is often misjudged by his size in Of Mice and Men. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. We know what we got, and we dont care whether you know it or not., She turned on him in scorn. Even though George cares about Lennie, he expresses how frustrating it is to look after someone so dumb. It's a shame that none of the other charactersexcept maybe Lennieseem to see that. George shoots Lennie so he does not have to suffer at the hands of the lynch mob. 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? You jus stand there and dont say nothing. Well, you keep your place then, n*****. Lennie is allowed to enter Crooks' room due to the similarity of their circumstances. Racism was a prominent attitude during the 1930s. Awright, cover im up if ya wanta. There aint no more harm in him than a kid neither, except hes so strong (Steinbeck 43). Howd you like that? You get another mouse thats fresh and Ill let you keep it a little while., Lennie looked sadly up at him. The two men travel together throughout the Salinas Valley of California to find steady work. George and Lennie meet the ranch boss and several other workers in this chapter. Even though slavery has been abolished, African Americans dont have equal rights. He pulled his hat down a little more over his eyes, the way Georges hat was. He never done this to be mean. Slim nodded. The social gap between blacks and white is still very apparent. But he's still pinching their heads, and he's still basically torturing the animals that he's supposed to be looking after. Its mean here. We gotta stay, George said shortly. Like most of the ranch hands Curleys wife has dreams. The readers learn the two men left their last job in a hurry. I gotta tell you again, do I? His huge companion dropped his blankets and flung himself down and drank from the surface of the green pool; drank with long gulps, snorting into the water like a horse. The famous lines written by the Scottish poet is about a mouse who carefully constructs a winter nest in a field of wheat. I been here a long time, he said. The characters face discrimination in many different ways including racial, age, gender, and disability. As a black man Crooks is used to being at the very bottom of the hierarchy. When Curley's wife enters and threatens to accuse Crooks of rape, his hope quickly dwindles. Discrimination affects the characters of Of Mice and Men through crooks being called the N word, Curleys wife being portrayed as a slut/tramp, and Lennie being treated and seen as a dumb oaf. But because he cant control his own strength, Lennie accidentally kills the pet mice that he hides from George inside his pockets. 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. Candy tells the two men about others living on the ranch, one of whom is a black stable buck named Crooks. We aint got nothing to say to you at all. 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. She closed on him. Chapter 4- All the ranch workers have gone into town, and Lennie is left in the barn with his puppy. Curley mistreats her, and she dreams of becoming a movie star. Candy to Curleys wife, who enters the stable bucks room looking for Curley. 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. Now, lookI'll give him the work tickets, but you ain't gonna say a word. Crooks is not used to having the upper hand. I seen things out here. 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 WebRT @silksofbohemia: Since people still love & want to support the idea of Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez, Ive compiled quotes of Joan speaking on being discriminated against as a child for her skin color. Cause Im black. Lennie doesnt have hands, he has paws, as Steinbeck compares him to an animal. Friendships are symbiotic relationships, where people share their talents and qualities to help each other through life (website). A guy needs somebody to be near him. Steinbeck uses the main characters personalities to show how people were affected during the Great Depression. I aint doin no harm to you. 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. Done pretty good, too. She has a Bachelors of Science from Indiana Universitys Kelley School of Business, completed a transition to teaching program in Secondary English Education from Indiana Wesleyan University receiving Indiana state teaching certifications, and has a Masters of Arts in Secondary Education from Ball State University. Thiss the first time I ever been in his room. Crooks said darkly, Guys dont come into a colored mans room very much., Awright, she said contemptuously. Of Mice and Men is a profound novel that has many things to teach society. I aint wanted in the bunk house, and you aint wanted in my room." Eventually, he gives the dog to Carlson. He also incorporates the idea of the American Dream, and how every character has their own vision of it. They say I stink. She threatens him and says she can accuse him of raping her. When he tells Lennie about the rabbits he will get to tend, George shoots him in the back of the head. Lennie was worried after he killed the puppy because he thought George wasnt going to let him tend to the rabbits when they bought the farm. But should George, who keeps dragging Lennie around with him, have taken some action before the big guy wound up killing someone? Lennie asks George to tell him about their dream farm, as they spend a night in the open air in the woods by the river before starting work at the ranch. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. They both had to make money to support themselves. Go on, George! That aint no good, George.. Thus, through Candy, Crooks, and Curleys wife, Steinbeck reveals the powerful. Jesus Christ, youre a crazy bastard! I forgot, Lennie said softly. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. Crooks is a negro stable buck and represents discrimination of race. Its dreams to be sheltered and comfortable through the winter is eventually destroyed by a ploughman, leaving the mouse nothing but 'grief and pain'. Curley, Curley's wife, Carlson, Candy, and other men use derogatory language when referring to Crooks. Run us out, hell, said George disgustedly. I got both of em here. He would never actually leave him, but his rants about wanting a life of his own symbolize his feelings of isolation. (1.44). WebAs Crooks explains, his hope of fitting in is not possible, but it remains his greatest hope. I can go away any time. No look! It aint the same if I tell it. Lennie is a very large, strong man, however, people on the ranch don't believe he is a good worker because of his disability. He tells George that he does not have any relatives, so he would be able to give all of his money to him and Lennie. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 4. George always knew that Lennie never did anything bad out of meanness and that is why he stayed with him; to keep him from getting into trouble. She dreamed of being in showbusiness and movies. But while Lennie may annoy him sometimes George needs him and doesnt want to be without him. Racial segregation, gender rights, and handicap vulnerability are all problems in Of Mice and Men that reflect the society at the time. Discrimination shapes a way a person acts around other people. WebDefines theme and details the difference between theme topic and theme statement. For Example Lennie lumbered to his feet and disappeared in the brush. George understands that Lennie cannot learn from his mistakes, no matter how diligently George tries to teach him, and that others will not understand Lennie's disability. This affected the story by making the audience really sad when they killed his dog. copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. You got it in your hand. Chapter 1- The audience is introduced to George and Lennie, two migrant workers on their way to a job at a new ranch. George knew what had happened and understood, but in the end decided to kill him painlessly to protect him. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 2. George always knew that Lennie never did anything bad out of meanness and that is why he George treats Lennie like a child. I never knew till long later why he didnt like that. Discrimination is demonstrated in Of Mice and Men many times throughout the book with Lennie, Curleys wife, and Crooks. 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 couldnt do any work because of his age. George and Lennie meet an old swamper named Candy, who shows the racial divide when talking about the black stable buck, Crooks. But I know now. He hesitated, and when he spoke again his voice was softer. The issues in the novel illustrates the routine and frustrations in the lifestyle of a nomadic migrant worker. In of Mice and Men the main characters have different levels of struggles. Lennie is the perfect target of discrimination throughout the entire book. George says with disdain after first meeting Curley?s wife, the newly married young woman living on the ranch. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. I aint sure I want you in here no more. "Listen, N*****," she said. They was lookin for us, but they didnt catch us. Lennie giggled happily. Entire Document, See You know what I can do if you open your trap? There is also Curleys wife who represents discrimination of gender. Much like a child would refer back to their parents forbidding them from doing something. Steinbeck continuously shows that the characters are racist, which reflects the time. Michael Meyer points out, the hardship for a woman to live on the ranch as presented in the novel should not be ignored. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. Most of the ranch workers display their feelings of racism against the only black worker, Crooks. Lennie watched them go. But being little more than Curleys property, she could not pursue her ambitions and instead lives a life of loneliness and no freedom. The woman misunderstood this action and accused him of rape. But not us. Lennie broke in. What are two examples showing how Lennie is discriminated against because of his disability in the book Of Mice and Men? One example of Lennie being discriminated against because of his mental disability takes place when Curley views him as an easy target and vents his rage by punching Lennie in the face. If some guy was with me, he could tell me I was asleep, an then it would be all right. This shows the relationship between George and Lennie. (4.39). George really cares for him and there is a strong bond between them. Friendship in Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck | Theme & Examples, Crooks in Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck | Quotes & Themes, The American Dream in Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck | Theme & Analysis, Curley's Wife in Of Mice & Men | Quotes, Description & Personality, Allusions in Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck | Analysis & Examples, Characterization in Of Mice & Men by John Steinbeck | Traits & Analysis, Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck: Ch. With the conditions old people faced it meant it was much tougher for them people to get jobs. 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. Another case of intolerance in the book is when Curly goes against Lennie because of he is size and stature in this age and time it is called bullying and is extremely, Want me to tell ya whatll happen? This aint no good place. Although Curley's wife is just as racist toward Crooks as the other workers, she also experiences a level of discrimination. WebTop Lennie Being Discriminated Against Quotes Just remember, someday you might be asking for forgiveness. Lennie here is compared to a horse. I musta lost it. He looked down at the ground in despair. His arms did not swing at his sides, but hung loosely. He reads a lot. "That ranch we're goin' to is right down there about a quarter mile. She parades her power over the men because she herself feels weak. George and Lennie. After hearing the gunshot, the men find him and head back to the ranch. 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. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. ", Crooks said darkly, "Guys don't come into a colored man's room very much." An error occurred trying to load this video. 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. He confesses that he accidentally killed his puppy and that George will be mad. People discriminated against because of their differences and how they dont fit in. Id leave it all for you. Candy, the old swamper, is a victim of the age discrimination. Crooks is a knowledgeable and well-read man, but he is not treated with respect. Candy laughs about the situation and uses derogatory language about Crooks. ", "Yeah. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 2, George and Candy talk about Crooks. Enjoy reading and share 5 famous quotes about Lennie Being Discriminated Against with everyone. (And, we have to ask: do you think Steinbeck is making a point by having the black man speak "darkly"? WebLennie was just sitting there listening to her and he didnt say anything that couldve made her upset. Lennie, Curleys wife, and Crooks are all misunderstood and discriminated against because of it. I didnt forget that, you bet., God, youre a lot of trouble, said George. Were gonna go in an see the boss. George is tasked with looking after Lennie, a large man with a mental disability. The story revolves around and Lennie and George, two workers who travel together. Strong as a bull. Lennie smiled to himself. Author: Owen Arthur. The guys said on account of the n*****s got a crooked back, Smitty cant use his feet. He paused in relish of the memory. The first man was small and quick, dark of face, with restless eyes and sharp, strong features. Maybe you just better go along an roll your hoop. An Crooks been here a long time. There wasnt another colored family for miles around. "[The boss gave] the stable buck hell?" John Steinbeck portrays the intolerance and bigotry of 1930s America through the separation of his characters based on their handicaps. Cause I want you to stay with me., Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. Well, I aint gonna remind ya, fear ya do it again. A light of understanding broke on Lennies face. WebRT @silksofbohemia: Since people still love & want to support the idea of Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez, Ive compiled quotes of Joan speaking on being discriminated against as a child for her skin color. This speaks to the racial divide then in America. In Depression era, people discriminated African-American people by using derogatory terms, physically assaulting them and limiting their socialization. Jesus Christ, youre a crazy bastard! I forgot, Lennie said softly. She is discriminated against because of her flirtatious personality. So it don't mean nothing, see?" Although she intends to deal with loneliness, George describes her as a tart and rattrap. Throughout the novel, these three characters face many hardships because they are harshly judged and often misunderstood. I dont care what she says and what she does. If he coulda used his feet, Smitty says he woulda killed the n*****. 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!' Tell about that George. Whynt you do it yourself? I tell ya I could of went with shows. But the relationship is a bit like a master and his dog, with George sometimes being very mean to Lennie, and then again very sympathetic. Handicapped by his lack of adult intelligence, Lennie is doomed in the world of a migrant worker (Of Mice and Men 246). We think it might just be good sense. The story begins with the two men getting assigned to work as ranch hands in Soledad, California. 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. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 2, Candy and George. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 5. They also meet other people that have to overcome their own setbacks. Dont make no difference who the guy is, longs hes with you. This chapter provides detailed character descriptions and their backgrounds. Thats all you can ever remember is them rabbits.. Curley's wife says her hair is soft and lets Lennie feel. I was only foolin, George. Discrimination was a common theme of Of Mice and Men and greatly affected the lives of the characters in the novella. Lennie didnt let go of her dress only because the womans screaming frightened him. I could get you strung up on a tree so easy it aint even funny.. 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. The story follows two migrant workers, George Milton and Lennie Smalls, during The Great Depression. They aint so little.. Hes nuts, Slim. WebBy saying this, Lennie is referring to George as his guardian. And just for that reason, he is drawn into George and Lennie?s dream of owning a farm. Steinbeck chooses not to provide a name for Curley's wife to show the little respect given to women. They say I stink. Crooks is discriminated for Although Lennie has a mental disability, he has the strength to do a lot of the ranch work and is a very good worker. succeed. 6 chapters | When George finds Lennie first, he accepts the responsibility for Lennie and knows he has gone too far. Lennie becomes scared and upset but Crooks face is described as lighted with pleasure in his torture. (A THREAD). Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. Steinbeck shows the realities of the time and the struggle characters face through discrimination. Terri Beth holds a PhD in English language and literature from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He sleeps in a makeshift shed alone because he isn't allowed in the bunkhouse, which reflects the racial segregation common during this period. The boss makes Crooks the whipping boy of the ranch and lashes out at him whenever he is angry. Unfortunately, Lennie doesn't know his strength and always kills the mice by petting them too hard. Candy and his dog was Quite similar to George and Lennie, thats because Lennie aint much good to George but Lennie has lived with him for a long time and is also his only friend, the same with Candy as said by Carlson He aint no good to you, Candy. Lenny is discriminated against because he is mentally disabled, Crooks is black, Curley's wife is a woman, and Candy is old. George scowled at him, and Lennie dropped his head in shame at having forgotten. Steinbeck illustrates how the characters respond to discrimination, male friendship, as well as loneliness and companionship. Got books in his room." We see here the kind and considerate side to Lennie and he shows appreciation of his friend George. Throughout the novel, these three characters face many hardships because they are harshly judged and often misunderstood. Because of disabilities, they are the weakness on which the stronger majority of the other men prey upon. Crooks is reluctant to let either of them into his room because he doesn't want his personal space contaminated by their prejudice. Candy leaned against the wall beside the broken collar while he scratched his wrist stump. Ranch with a bunch of guys on it aint no place for a girl, specially like her., You go on get outta my room. When George and Lennie first arrive at the ranch, they meet Candy, who tells them how Crooks was beaten one Christmas by another worker. You leave her be., He dont give nobody else a chance to win., George said, Shes gonna make a mess. George tells Lennie not to speak to the boss. The three men agree to purchase the place together, hoping for a better life. An you aint gonna do no bad things like you done in Weed, neither. Lennie looked puzzled. Nevertheless, she uses her sexuality to gain power over them, allowing her to earn some respect. We run. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. Crooks is made to sleep alone in the barn, with the animals and segregated from everyone else. The men at the ranch all believe that she tries to seduce them and then the boss would fire them. I was jus foolin, Lennie. One of these challenges is discrimination because not everybody in the novella is treated equally. Of Mice and Men is a novella by John Steinbeck in 1937. As the story progresses, a theme of isolation, discrimination, and loneliness on Candy, Lennie, and Crooks is revealed. Lennies eyes moved down over her body, and though she didnt seem to be looking at Lennie she bridled a little. When George washes his face, Lennie mimics him exactly. (p. 68) Discrimination is the treatment of a person based on the group, class, or category to which that person belongs. He stumbles upon light and sees it is in Crooks' room. Candy refuses, but Carlson persists. And now there aint a colored man on this ranch an theres jus one family in Soledad., Want me to tell ya whatll happen? Remember, Lennie is more in touch with the natural side of things than the "civilized" side of things, so he doesnt accept the "institution" of racism. My ol man didnt like that. 60 lessons He tells them he is the swamper, mopping and sweeping around the bunks and farmhouses. He keeps his distance from the others and expects them to do the same. Sure. Read an analysis of racism and discrimination, and read quotes involving Crooks, Curley's wife, and others. Curleys wife is only allowed to talk to Curley and always feels lonely because of it. George often gets angry with Lennie because the physically very strong Lennie cannot control himself. But Curley's wife doesn't feel any solidarity with Crooks: she just sees him as the one guy she can pick on instead of try to pick up. Jesus, he said. He tried to get her to be quiet and he shook her; and her body flopped like a fish. - Description & Quotes, Working Scholars Bringing Tuition-Free College to the Community. You never had none, you crazy bastard. You bindle bums think youre so damn good. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. I could live so easy and maybe have a girl. For a moment Lennie lay quiet, and then he said hopefully, We gonna work on a ranch, George., Georges hand remained outstretched imperiously. This shows just how bad Candy wants to get out of that ranch and that he will do anything to not be lonely. In the end, intolerance leads to tragedy for each one of them. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. If we can get jus a few dollars in the poke well shove off and go up the American River and pan gold. WebDiscrimination plays a large role to feeling lonely. Lennie copes by petting mice or soft material. This is hard to read, butto be fair to Candyhe seems to be "relishing" the fight as a fight, and not just because it involves a crippled black man. The victim of gender discrimination is Curley's wife because she is a woman. Lennie and George. Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. Crooks and Candy give her a hard time and ask her to leave. An spose they lock him up an strap him down and put him in a cage. real name and given the name Crooks because of his handicap. No one has time to read them all, but its important to go over them at least briefly. I wisht wed get the rabbits pretty soon, George. Satiday night. Below are some quotes from Crooks about his experience with discrimination. Shes a jail bait all set on the trigger. They was so little, he said apologetically. Many people just misunderstand Lennie and judge him right away. Everbody out doin sompin. I dont want no ketchup. Muriel Rukeyser, I am satisfied that all politicians were meant to be journalists and all journalists meant to be politicians." Another major theme is male friendship. As the only black man on the ranch, he is shown extreme discrimination. Little skinner name of Smitty took after the n*****. But since she is married she isnt allowed to talk to anybody but Curley or shell be accused of being a flirt or a tart. They dressed identically and had much in common because of their close friendship. When Candy and Lennie begin discussing their hopes of buying a farm together, Crooks realizes he may also have some hope for a better life. It is a good book with a great hook and ends with an unexpected bang. WebCharacters, settings, and key themes. In the novella Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, characters endure attempts by society to make them invisible. These include Steinbeck shows how easily someone was discriminated against in the 1930s. Curley is the boss's son who has a chip on his shoulder about being a smaller guy. This is to blame to his mental You have a great life.' George loses patience with and verbally abuses Lennie for asking the same question over and over again. I wouldnt eat no ketchup if it was right here beside me. If it was here, you could have some. But I wouldnt eat none, George. 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.

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