Of Mice And Men Discrimination Analysis | ipl.org Lennie Small Quotes from Of Mice and Men Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. They dressed identically and had much in common because of their close friendship. He doesnt even remember the wrong he did in Weed, where he was accused of raping a girl after feeling her dress and not letting go. Sure you could play horseshoes till it got dark, but then you got to read books. We think it might just be good sense. He confesses that he accidentally killed his puppy and that George will be mad. 4 | Summary & Themes, Dreams in Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck | Overview, Quotes & Significance, Conflict in Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck | Types & Analysis, Lennie & George's Relationship in Of Mice and Men, Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck: Ch. She doesnt like Curley and doesnt enjoy being married to him. 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? 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. George threatens to lock Lennie up inside a cage. You get another mouse thats fresh and Ill let you keep it a little while., Lennie looked sadly up at him. Chapter 4- All the ranch workers have gone into town, and Lennie is left in the barn with his puppy. If some guy was with me, he could tell me I was asleep, an then it would be all right. However, they encounter some challenges that could possibly be a roadblock to their dreams. By continuing well assume you Curley mistreats her, and she dreams of becoming a movie star. WebBy saying this, Lennie is referring to George as his guardian. Lennis has no concept of consequences. Although we dont actually get a peek into the mind of Lennie Small till the end of the novel, Steinbeck makes it He said gently, GeorgeI aint got mine. 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., George patted a wrinkle out of his bed, and sat down. Maybe you guys better go. People discriminated against because of their differences and how they dont fit in. Crooks became very bitter and lonely in this story because of his discrimination/segregation from everybody else. If he pinches their heads, they'll survive. With the conditions old people faced it meant it was much tougher for them people to get jobs. But his anger always fades when he realizes Lennie is handicapped and his compassion for Lennie overtakes him. Later on, when Candy and George were talking, Candy says "You seen what they done to my dog tonight? Of Mice and Men, Chapter 4. George has taken responsibility for Lennie because he knew Lennie's Aunt Clara. The story is about two men, Lennie and George, trying to find work in a troubling economic time while also trying to overcome Lennies mental handicap. We're gonna go in an' see the boss. WebOf Mice and Men, Chapter 1. Now, one could argue that since this is simply an animal that ageism doesnt really apply here, but this leads to something larger. Well, you keep your place then, n*****. Too much of a stretch? he asked. George is wondering what he should do about Lennie after Curleys wifes body is discovered. In John Steinbeck's novel, Of Mice and Men, there are many example of prejudice. Curley's wife is a lonely woman, constantly wandering around the ranch looking for a good conversation. An he was dead (Steinbeck 87). Lennie didnt wanna hurt him but he is just too strong (Steinbeck 64). Lennie's Discrimination - 1840 Words | Bartleby Candy is a worker on the farm who is both old and disabled, missing a hand and acknowledges his disadvantage by saying, I aint good with ony one handtheyll can me purty soon. So it dont mean nothing, see?, Spose you didnt have nobody. This quote clearly shows how Candy knows that he will soon be of no use to anyone, and that because of his age he will not ever be able to get a job anywhere else, and it almost seems like getting show would be a preferable alternative to wandering, like Candy. Author: Owen Arthur. Muriel Rukeyser, I am satisfied that all politicians were meant to be journalists and all journalists meant to be politicians." Discrimination is a major theme in Of Mice and Men. She started to scream, which made Lennie panic. Theyll take ya to the booby hatch. But, Crooks slyly points out, there are some advantages, too: no one holds you responsible for your actions. He leaves the barn and runs to the pond where George told him to hide if he gets in trouble. That ranch were goin to is right down there about a quarter mile. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 3. Dont make no difference who the guy is, longs hes with you. 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. The two men develop relationships with the other ranch workers while battling the arrogant attitude of Curley. The issues in the novel illustrates the routine and frustrations in the lifestyle of a nomadic migrant worker. They dont belong no placeWith us it aint like that. Michael Meyer points out, the hardship for a woman to live on the ranch as presented in the novel should not be ignored. Crooks lives in the barn away from the rest of the ranch workers and sleeps in a makeshift shed on a bed of straw under a window, with a pile of manure outside. How about getting full access immediately? John Stamos, A world is to be fought for, sung, and built: Love must imagine the world. He is disrupted first by Lennie and then Candy and doesn't want to let them in because he believes their prejudice will contaminate his space. Couldn we maybe bring him in an theyll lock him up? Lennie The first man was small and quick, dark of face, with restless eyes and sharp, strong features. So it don't mean nothing, see?" Of Mice and Men, Chapter 5. Lennie watched them go. George treats Lennie like a child. You could cover your beans with it and I wouldnt touch none of it., If you don want me I can go off in the hills an find a cave. Well, I aint gonna remind ya, fear ya do it again. A light of understanding broke on Lennies face. Slim appears to be encouraging George to carry out a mercy killing of Lennie. Lennie is asking George to drink plenty of water even after George yelled at him for drinking too fast. But the stable buck dont give a damn about that.. He reads a lot. I dont want no ketchup. Michele L. Rivera, How crazy it is to be "yourself" by trying to live up to an image of yourself you have unconsciously created in the minds of others. In the end, intolerance leads to tragedy for each one of them. Why aint you wanted? Lennie asked. Ranch with a bunch of guys on it aint no place for a girl, specially like her., You go on get outta my room. George speaks in a sexist way about Curleys wife, saying she has no place on the ranch which should be for men only. However, Crooks quickly realizes Lennie has a mental disability and allows Lennie to enter his room. What this means is that people are not truth to themselves so they have to reform in bullying and discriminating each other. 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. Lennie doesnt do anything back until George tells him to fight back. Theyll tie ya up with a collar, like a dog (Steinbeck 72). The social gap between blacks and white is still very apparent. Top 5 Lennie Being Discriminated Against Quotes & Sayings Candy interrupts their conversation and hesitates to go into Crooks' room even after being invited in. 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. Of Mice and Men is a profound novel that has many things to teach society. Cause Im black. I seen em poison before, but I never seen no piece of jail bait worse than her. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. I was jus foolin, Lennie. (We will point out that he doesn't ever use Crooks' name, however. He is used feeling weak and vulnerable himself. Each one of these characters experience discrimination in the book and it can be related to our lives today. Finally, Lennie is discriminated against in Of Mice and Men because he is mentally If he coulda used his feet, Smitty says he woulda killed the n*****. Below are some quotes from Crooks about his experience with discrimination. Interpretations of quotes are very simplistic as this course is not designed to teach interpretations, it is simply a memory tool. Ya see the stable bucks a n****r. N****r, huh? Yeah. Slowly, like a terrier who doesnt want to bring a ball to its master, Lennie approached, drew back, approached again. WebLennie was just sitting there listening to her and he didnt say anything that couldve made her upset. The victim of gender discrimination is Curley's wife because she is a woman. Although she intends to deal with loneliness, George describes her as a tart and rattrap. Jesus Christ! An Crooks been here a long time. Just like Candys dog can be replaced by a new, young pup, Candy can be replaced by a younger, stronger, and more capable worker. I could get you strung up on a tree so easy it aint even funny (Steinbeck 81). We run. An spose they lock him up an strap him down and put him in a cage. 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." Lennie interrupts their conversation as he comes in from the barn; Slim has given Lennie one of his puppies. It is a good book with a great hook and ends with an unexpected bang. Jesus Christ, youre a crazy bastard! I forgot, Lennie said softly. This quotation suggests that prejudice is the symbol of ignorance, for men to either recognize or ignore the judgements they hold against others. But I jus dont know., Candy leaned against the wall beside the broken collar while he scratched his wrist stump. Lennie, Candy, Candys dog, Curleys wife and Crooks all face social pressure from the other characters on the ranch based on their intelligence, physical disability, age, sex and color. Many people just misunderstand Lennie and judge him right away. In the novella, Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, the diverse set of characters individually handle oppression on a daily basis. freebooksummary.com 2016 2022 All Rights Reserved, We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. This highlights the lack of understanding people had for those with a mentality disability like Lennie. Les go, George. "An' Crooks been here a long time. It mirrors many of the characteristics that every human possesses. If he hadnt been seen as a vulnerable person then Candy could have stopped them from killing his dog. Whatta ya think I am, a kid? Where we goin, George? The little man jerked down the brim of his hat and scowled over at Lennie. He pulled his hat down a little more over his eyes, the way Georges hat was. 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. And if that day were to come, you would want it, wouldn't you? Lennie breaks Curley's hand, but the men make up a fake story, so George and Lennie do not get fired. 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. Curleys still mad about his hand. 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 was only foolin, George. There he is treated in a very demeaning manner by the ranch hands. So you forgot that awready, did you? "That ranch we're goin' to is right down there about a quarter mile. They play cards in there, but I can't play because I'm black. Every part of him was defined: small, strong hands, slender arms, a thin and bony nose. All rights reserved. Societies that discriminate against the weak are unjust. This is to blame to his mental (A THREAD). For he knows that if the boss learns of Lennies disability, neither of them will get jobs. 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. The victims of these types of discrimination are Curleys wife, who is unhappy and bitter about her life, Candy, the old, disabled swamper and Crooks, the black stable buck. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. I seen things out here. Because of this, he was more likely to lose his job. Prejudice is a great time saver. WebLennies foolishness often allows him to speak honestly where others wont, and he sometimes taps into things that "normal" people cant (like the fact that the ranch isnt a good place for him and George to be hanging out). Discrimination was a common theme of Of Mice and Men and greatly affected the lives of the characters in the novella. I wisht I could put you in a cage with about a million mice an let you have fun. His anger left him suddenly. Factors contributing to their loneliness include ageism, disability discrimination, and racism. 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. Theme Of Discrimination In Of Mice And Men | ipl.org Just remember, someday you might be asking for forgiveness. I could get you strung up on a tree so easy it aint even funny.. Create your account. White, excellently states what the novel, Of Mice and Men, is trying to clearly state. He also senses trouble ahead, as she is the only woman there. In Depression era, people discriminated African-American people by using derogatory terms, physically assaulting them and limiting their socialization. He was considered a swamper, the man who cleans the bunkhouse. Achieving The American Dream is a great desire for all but rarely does it ever come true (website). George says with disdain after first meeting Curley?s wife, the newly married young woman living on the ranch. But while Lennie may annoy him sometimes George needs him and doesnt want to be without him. 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. 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. 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. When she is in the barn with Lennie she said to him, Whas the matter with me? Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. But he doesnt know his own strength and when he pets mice usually ends up killing them. Like I done in Weed? Oh, so ya forgot that too, did ya? Tucker Carlson departs Fox News, pushed out by Rupert Murdoch Where we goin, George? The little man jerked down the brim of his hat and scowled over at Lennie. Shes a jail bait all set on the trigger. This shows just how bad Candy wants to get out of that ranch and that he will do anything to not be lonely. He was an older man that lived in the bunk house, who lost his hand in a work accident. 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. Think Id let you carry your own work card? Lennie grinned with relief. They play cards in there, but I cant play because Im black. If he coulda used his feet, Smitty says he woulda killed the n*****. A guy needs somebody to be near him. Shut up now. Although Lennie has a mental disability, he has the strength to do a lot of the ranch work and is a very good worker. The woman misunderstood this action and accused him of rape. In the novel, we are able to see the strength that Lennie has and how he is not able to control it when Steinbeck talks about how Lennie killed the mouse, the puppy, Curleys wife and crushed Curleys hand. And if that day were to come, you would want it, wouldn't you? (1.44). ", "Yeah. Were gonna go in an see the boss. An error occurred trying to load this video. Slim and George see Lennie as a child. George always knew that Lennie never did anything bad out of meanness and that is why he Most of the ranch workers display their feelings of racism against the only black worker, Crooks. Chapter 4 | Analysis of Discrimination and Theme Activity There wasnt another colored family for miles around. Much like a child would refer back to their parents forbidding them from doing something. Because of disabilities, they are the weakness on which the stronger majority of the other men prey upon. Throughout the novel, these three characters face many hardships because they are harshly judged and often misunderstood. The two begin talking, and she tells Lennie that Curley is not a good husband. George has to take care of his big, special friend Lennie, he keeps his bus ticket and work card, because he knows Lennie would lose them. Even though slavery has been abolished, African Americans dont have equal rights. Go on, George! I aint wanted in the bunk house, and you aint wanted in my room. Why aint you wanted? Lennie asked. That aint no good, George.. So you forgot that awready, did you? Chapter 5- While a horseshoe tournament is going on, Lennie is in the barn with his puppy when Curley's lonely wife walks in. Lennie is often excluded from nights out or things the other men are doing. Discrimination Of Women In Steinbeck Crooks has fun teasing Lennie because the men always give him a hard time. During this time in America people were panning gold, and doing anything for just a little bit of cash. Get unlimited access to over 88,000 lessons. Jesus, he said. Steinbeck uses this example to show how something useless should be destroyed, metaphorically showing the discrimination of Candy, Crooks, and Lennie. Everbody! (A THREAD). He was so frightened he could not let go, busting every bone in Curleys hand. The main types of prejudice shown in this novel are racial, sexual and social prejudice. Now, look Ill give him the work tickets, but you aint gonna say a word. After she tells this to Lennie, he tries to tell her that George told him not to talk to her because she was trouble. Racial segregation, gender rights, and handicap vulnerability are all problems in Of Mice and Men that reflect the society at the time. Lennie and George. For example, when George and Lennie were kicked out of Weed, it was because Lennie had grabbed a womans dress, just to feel. As stated in the book, (Steinbeck 28) Candy is one of the many men who have judged her based on what they think they have seen. 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. All Rights Reserved. He accuses Slim of being in the barn with her, though none of them had seen her. In the novella Steinbeck romanticizes and idealizes male friendships. An a guy tol me he could put me in pitchers She was breathless with indignation. One of the central themes in Of Mice and Men is racism. Throughout the novel, these three characters face many hardships because they are harshly judged and often misunderstood. WebDefines theme and details the difference between theme topic and theme statement. (And, we have to ask: do you think Steinbeck is making a point by having the black man speak "darkly"? Discrimination Of Mice and Men Discrimination - PHDessay.com Crooks was a victim of the most common part of discrimination; racism. The novella, Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck , is set in California in the 1930s. I musta lost it. He looked down at the ground in despair. And if that day were to come, you would want it, wouldn't you? No one has time to read them all, but its important to go over them at least briefly. Whatta they think I am, anyways? Go onGeorge. However, when Candy and Lennie start discussing their plans for buying a farm, Crooks thinks he may have an opportunity for a better life. I aint doin no harm to you. Jesus Christ, youre a crazy bastard! I forgot, Lennie said softly. You got it in your hand. 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. Crooks "This is just a n***** talkin', an' a busted-back n*****. 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). How I get to tend the rabbits., Lennie if you jus happen to get in trouble like you always done before, I want you to come right here an hide in the brushHide in the brush till I come for you.. Steinbeck provides a glimpse of the racial elements during the 1930s through character descriptions, actions, and dialogue. WebLennie is discriminated against in this way because of how he is misunderstood. Lennies eyes moved down over her body, and though she didnt seem to be looking at Lennie she bridled a little. They may be friends, but we know they are not equal, as one walks behind the other, like a follower behind a leader. In Of Mice and Men, the narrarator implied that "The old man came slowly into the room. Lennie explains to George about the killing of the mice. He would be confined to a psychiatric hospital, where he would suffer cruel and degrading treatments. He tells Lennie he cannot play cards or go to the bunkhouse because he is black. Candy overhears the conversation and promises to give them all his earnings if they let him join them. Many creatures do not survive Lennies grasp. Curley is a small man who constantly tries to show off and act tough. copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. Unfortunately, Lennie's actions destroy their dream. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 4. 6. And a manure pile under the window. George reminisces about their dream of owning their farm. George knew what had happened and understood, but in the end decided to kill him painlessly to protect him. The kind of mental problems Lennie had were not understood at that time. Candy tells the two men about others living on the ranch, one of whom is a black stable buck named Crooks. The names she calls Crook, Candy, and Lennie represent her prejudice towards blacks, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Though Terri Beth loves books and writing of all kinds, her heart lies especially with British Victorian and Modernist literature, as well as the novels of Virginia Woolf, George Eliot, the Bronte sisters, and, to mix things up a bit, Salman Rushdie! The famous lines written by the Scottish poet is about a mouse who carefully constructs a winter nest in a field of wheat. 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 Lennie is the perfect target of discrimination throughout the entire book.

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