Discrimination Exposed In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men
When John Steinbeck was attending Stanford, he took time off to go work on a ranch at Salinas Valley. This is where he encountered the models for many of his characters for his stories. One of them included one of his most popular and touching novellas, Of Mice and Men. With this book, he tried to show the hardships of the discriminated. During the period of the Great Depression, many individuals were forced into poverty and away from their families. Many began to flee to the West in search of work. However, when they reached their destination, they were not received kindly. In the novella, Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck thoroughly depicts, by the presence of many discriminated and oppressed individuals, that life in this time period was beyond arduous for most people because of the Great
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Depression and the way others perceived them.
The Great Depression was an economic downturn coming before World War II. The depression occurred at different times in different countries, but in the United States, it happened during the 1930s. Historians blame the crash of the US stock market, on October 29, 1989, for igniting the Great Depression. Then, the depression quickly expanded across the world. The Great Depression not only affected the poor, but the rich as well. Industrial production, foreign trade, and wholesale prices diminished. The loss of money from these happenings developed a state of unemployment, caused foreclosures and homes to be lost, families to separate, and extreme deflation. Unemployment rates soared through the roof. In the US, twenty- five percent of the population was out of work. Even in some countries, the rates were as high as thirty- three percent (Zainaldin). Hope still lingered in the air for some and the Great Depression was later used as an example as to how bad the economy could get. Rural regions suffered the most when crop prices fell drastically. The huge drought, which occurred during the 1930s, contributed to
this. In many plains, dust was everywhere. It was so that it was impossible to keep a house clean and chickens would sleep earlier than usual because the darkness caused by the dust storms made them think it was night. More and more storms began to hit and many farmers lost their good farmland to the high winds. By 1934, almost 100 million acres of farmland were completely destroyed (Zainaldin). Many economies began to rejuvenate in the mid- 1930s, but in many other nations, the detrimental impact of the Great Depression lasted until the end of World War II. This tragedy was one of the most widespread, long-lasting, and deepest depression of this era.
The effects of the Great Depression disturbed every race of people in America.
However, African Americans were always most affected. Most African Americans were out of work and whites demanded that they be fired if a white person was unemployed. Racial violence became common and lynchings increased (Sustar). In Steinbeck 's novella, Crooks is a stable buck on the Salinas Valley ranch. During this time, a stable buck was a common occupancy for a dark skinned American (Sustar). He was separated from the rest of the white farmhands on the ranch. Crooks states, "I ain 't wanted in the bunkhouse, and you ain 't wanted in my room" (Steinbeck 68). This shows how African Americans were treated like animals and isolated from others because of discrimination. After being neglected, Crooks proclaims, "If I say something, why it 's just a n****** saying it" (Steinbeck 70). Crooks has accustomed to the inequality he receives from others and turns on himself, saying negative things. However, on a brighter note, no one would hold him responsible for anything because his words "don 't mean nothing" and are ignored. The author show how African Americans ' lives were hard because of
racism.
Steinbeck shows the hardships of a disabled man during this period of time in his novella Of Mice and Men. One would think they received special care but the worst time period a
disabled person could live through is the 1930s. Others didn 't care for them because chances were that they already had someone to take care of, whether it was themselves or a family (Barrett). They were abused and people would blame them for their problems. Some mentally handicapped people were institutionalized. The government gave little to no protection for the disabled (Philipkoski). This is similar to how a character in the story is treated. Lennie Smalls is George 's friend and they are both traveling to the West in search of work, because they had to flee their hometown in the result of Lennie 's incident with petting a girl 's mouse dress (he likes soft things). Lennie says, "George says I gotta stay here an ' not get in no trouble" (Steinbeck 68). In this moment, George demanded Lennie stay at the ranch while they go out to the whorehouse. To George Milton and other workers, he is seen as a dim- wit that can only work. Lennie should be able to have some fun too. "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" (Steinbeck 6). There is no doubt Lennie is a great worker, but perhaps George is a little too hard on him. At their arrival at the ranch, the boss gets suspicious because George does all the talking. Lennie says four words and George throws a tirade at him for doing so.
Even though sexism was around forever, this type of discrimination was most evident during the 1930s. The typical women had an employed husband, and if they lost their job, they usually had enough resources to survive (Ware).Steinbeck depicts that with Of Mice and Men. Curley 's wife is a victim of unfairness because of her gender. She is the wife of the boss 's son, Curley. They live with no worries, but Curley 's wife 's actions are constricted and she has limited rights, like every other female in America at the time. She is the only woman on the ranch and is unnamed by the author which shows her unimportance - which shows sexism. "Don 't you even
take a look at that b****. I don 't care what she says and what she does. I seen em ' poison before, but I never seen no piece of jailbait worse than her." (Steinbeck 54). George is calling Curley 's wife a derogatory term for a woman, which is sexist. George, and every other farmhand on the ranch, thinks she is flirty and has "an eye for all the men on the ranch". "Why 'n 't you tell her to stay the hell home, where she belongs?" (Steinbeck 90). During this time, it was often that women stayed home with kids and chores to do around the house, while men would go out and work, wherever it was (Ware). Here Candy implies that the ranch is no place for a flirtatious woman like Curley 's wife, which is a sexist stereotype.
Throughout the novella, the people on the ranch tend to look down on Candy, a person of an older age. This is a form of ageism, a prominent but a not- so- noticeable form of discrimination exuded by Steinbeck in Of Mice and Men. Candy is the oldest farmhand and has only one arm. "All but old Candy." (Steinbeck 69). While everyone is out having fun, Candy is at home, alone while the other men exclude him because of his age. Candy is a great person but is a victim of bias and loneliness. "And at his heels walked a dragfooted sheepdog, gray of muzzle, and with pale, blind eyes." (Steinbeck 24). Candy 's dog can symbolize ageism as well. The pup is aged, fragile, and smelly. The dog also portrays Candy in a way because he is also old and weak. The pup is hated by the other farmhands and is later killed by Carlson, which leaves Candy in a state of depression.
Throughout the story, many characters would turn to each other, either in need for help by talking to them or insulting them to make themselves feel better. For example, how people would blame the mentally handicapped for their own problems (Philipkoski). The reader sees the same type of actions in the novella. "Well you keep your place then, n*****. I could get you
strung up on a tree so fast, it ain 't even funny." (Steinbeck 81). In result of discrimination towards Curley 's wife, she would turn to Crooks and insult him to make herself feel better. However, the only person on the ranch that didn 't feel it was necessary to discriminate Crooks was Lennie. ""Why ain 't you wanted?" Lennie asked. " 'Cause Im ' black..."" (Steinbeck 68). Lennie doesn 't care if Crooks is black and doesn 't see anything different in him than anyone else. Lennie only sees what is inside. John Steinbeck felt the urge to express the reality of how some individuals were treated. If it wasn 't for your race, it was for your gender or age. With this interaction between Lennie and Crooks, "A guy needs somebody to be near him. A guy goes nuts if he ain 't got nobody.", Steinbeck shows that one could go insane in the result of being discriminated against and being left out (Steinbeck 72). A person needs a friend to "talk to and give a damn about them." (Steinbeck 14) John Steinbeck knew that mankind would cease if the ways of discrimination continued. Had mankind been enlightened of our ways today, perhaps the characters in the novella could have had better lives.
Works Cited
Barrett, John . "History of Discrimination Against Disabled Persons-Part Four." History of Discrimination. Web. 16 Dec 2009. . Phasmatis. "Ageism The Racism Of Age." HubPages. 11 Sept. 2010. Phasmatis. 29 Apr. 2013 .
Philipkoski, Kristen. "Blaming the 'Defective ' People." Wired. 26/03/2001. Web. 17 Dec 2009. . "Race During the Great Depression - American Memory Timeline- Classroom Presentation | Teacher Resources - Library of Congress." Race During the Great Depression - American Memory Timeline- Classroom Presentation | Teacher Resources - Library of Congress. Library of Congress. 29 Apr. 2013 .
"Rights of the People...Equal Protection of the Law." Rights of the People: Individual Freedom and the Bill of Rights. 2003: 81-87. SIRS Government Reporter. Web. 29 Apr 2013. Steinbeck, John. Of Mice and Men. New York: Penguin, 1993. Print.
Sustar, Lee. "Blacks and the Great Depression." Daily News and Opinion from the Left. International Socialist Organization, 17 June 2013. Web. 17 June 2013.Urofsky, Melvin. Ware, Susan. "Women and the Great Depression." The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 June 2013. Zainaldin, Jamil S. "New Georgia Encyclopedia: Great Depression." New Georgia Encyclopedia: Great Depression. Georgia Humanities Council, 3 Oct. 2011. Web. 17 June 2013.
Depression and the way others perceived them.
The Great Depression was an economic downturn coming before World War II. The depression occurred at different times in different countries, but in the United States, it happened during the 1930s. Historians blame the crash of the US stock market, on October 29, 1989, for igniting the Great Depression. Then, the depression quickly expanded across the world. The Great Depression not only affected the poor, but the rich as well. Industrial production, foreign trade, and wholesale prices diminished. The loss of money from these happenings developed a state of unemployment, caused foreclosures and homes to be lost, families to separate, and extreme deflation. Unemployment rates soared through the roof. In the US, twenty- five percent of the population was out of work. Even in some countries, the rates were as high as thirty- three percent (Zainaldin). Hope still lingered in the air for some and the Great Depression was later used as an example as to how bad the economy could get. Rural regions suffered the most when crop prices fell drastically. The huge drought, which occurred during the 1930s, contributed to
this. In many plains, dust was everywhere. It was so that it was impossible to keep a house clean and chickens would sleep earlier than usual because the darkness caused by the dust storms made them think it was night. More and more storms began to hit and many farmers lost their good farmland to the high winds. By 1934, almost 100 million acres of farmland were completely destroyed (Zainaldin). Many economies began to rejuvenate in the mid- 1930s, but in many other nations, the detrimental impact of the Great Depression lasted until the end of World War II. This tragedy was one of the most widespread, long-lasting, and deepest depression of this era.
The effects of the Great Depression disturbed every race of people in America.
However, African Americans were always most affected. Most African Americans were out of work and whites demanded that they be fired if a white person was unemployed. Racial violence became common and lynchings increased (Sustar). In Steinbeck 's novella, Crooks is a stable buck on the Salinas Valley ranch. During this time, a stable buck was a common occupancy for a dark skinned American (Sustar). He was separated from the rest of the white farmhands on the ranch. Crooks states, "I ain 't wanted in the bunkhouse, and you ain 't wanted in my room" (Steinbeck 68). This shows how African Americans were treated like animals and isolated from others because of discrimination. After being neglected, Crooks proclaims, "If I say something, why it 's just a n****** saying it" (Steinbeck 70). Crooks has accustomed to the inequality he receives from others and turns on himself, saying negative things. However, on a brighter note, no one would hold him responsible for anything because his words "don 't mean nothing" and are ignored. The author show how African Americans ' lives were hard because of
racism.
Steinbeck shows the hardships of a disabled man during this period of time in his novella Of Mice and Men. One would think they received special care but the worst time period a
disabled person could live through is the 1930s. Others didn 't care for them because chances were that they already had someone to take care of, whether it was themselves or a family (Barrett). They were abused and people would blame them for their problems. Some mentally handicapped people were institutionalized. The government gave little to no protection for the disabled (Philipkoski). This is similar to how a character in the story is treated. Lennie Smalls is George 's friend and they are both traveling to the West in search of work, because they had to flee their hometown in the result of Lennie 's incident with petting a girl 's mouse dress (he likes soft things). Lennie says, "George says I gotta stay here an ' not get in no trouble" (Steinbeck 68). In this moment, George demanded Lennie stay at the ranch while they go out to the whorehouse. To George Milton and other workers, he is seen as a dim- wit that can only work. Lennie should be able to have some fun too. "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" (Steinbeck 6). There is no doubt Lennie is a great worker, but perhaps George is a little too hard on him. At their arrival at the ranch, the boss gets suspicious because George does all the talking. Lennie says four words and George throws a tirade at him for doing so.
Even though sexism was around forever, this type of discrimination was most evident during the 1930s. The typical women had an employed husband, and if they lost their job, they usually had enough resources to survive (Ware).Steinbeck depicts that with Of Mice and Men. Curley 's wife is a victim of unfairness because of her gender. She is the wife of the boss 's son, Curley. They live with no worries, but Curley 's wife 's actions are constricted and she has limited rights, like every other female in America at the time. She is the only woman on the ranch and is unnamed by the author which shows her unimportance - which shows sexism. "Don 't you even
take a look at that b****. I don 't care what she says and what she does. I seen em ' poison before, but I never seen no piece of jailbait worse than her." (Steinbeck 54). George is calling Curley 's wife a derogatory term for a woman, which is sexist. George, and every other farmhand on the ranch, thinks she is flirty and has "an eye for all the men on the ranch". "Why 'n 't you tell her to stay the hell home, where she belongs?" (Steinbeck 90). During this time, it was often that women stayed home with kids and chores to do around the house, while men would go out and work, wherever it was (Ware). Here Candy implies that the ranch is no place for a flirtatious woman like Curley 's wife, which is a sexist stereotype.
Throughout the novella, the people on the ranch tend to look down on Candy, a person of an older age. This is a form of ageism, a prominent but a not- so- noticeable form of discrimination exuded by Steinbeck in Of Mice and Men. Candy is the oldest farmhand and has only one arm. "All but old Candy." (Steinbeck 69). While everyone is out having fun, Candy is at home, alone while the other men exclude him because of his age. Candy is a great person but is a victim of bias and loneliness. "And at his heels walked a dragfooted sheepdog, gray of muzzle, and with pale, blind eyes." (Steinbeck 24). Candy 's dog can symbolize ageism as well. The pup is aged, fragile, and smelly. The dog also portrays Candy in a way because he is also old and weak. The pup is hated by the other farmhands and is later killed by Carlson, which leaves Candy in a state of depression.
Throughout the story, many characters would turn to each other, either in need for help by talking to them or insulting them to make themselves feel better. For example, how people would blame the mentally handicapped for their own problems (Philipkoski). The reader sees the same type of actions in the novella. "Well you keep your place then, n*****. I could get you
strung up on a tree so fast, it ain 't even funny." (Steinbeck 81). In result of discrimination towards Curley 's wife, she would turn to Crooks and insult him to make herself feel better. However, the only person on the ranch that didn 't feel it was necessary to discriminate Crooks was Lennie. ""Why ain 't you wanted?" Lennie asked. " 'Cause Im ' black..."" (Steinbeck 68). Lennie doesn 't care if Crooks is black and doesn 't see anything different in him than anyone else. Lennie only sees what is inside. John Steinbeck felt the urge to express the reality of how some individuals were treated. If it wasn 't for your race, it was for your gender or age. With this interaction between Lennie and Crooks, "A guy needs somebody to be near him. A guy goes nuts if he ain 't got nobody.", Steinbeck shows that one could go insane in the result of being discriminated against and being left out (Steinbeck 72). A person needs a friend to "talk to and give a damn about them." (Steinbeck 14) John Steinbeck knew that mankind would cease if the ways of discrimination continued. Had mankind been enlightened of our ways today, perhaps the characters in the novella could have had better lives.
Works Cited
Barrett, John . "History of Discrimination Against Disabled Persons-Part Four." History of Discrimination. Web. 16 Dec 2009. . Phasmatis. "Ageism The Racism Of Age." HubPages. 11 Sept. 2010. Phasmatis. 29 Apr. 2013 .
Philipkoski, Kristen. "Blaming the 'Defective ' People." Wired. 26/03/2001. Web. 17 Dec 2009. . "Race During the Great Depression - American Memory Timeline- Classroom Presentation | Teacher Resources - Library of Congress." Race During the Great Depression - American Memory Timeline- Classroom Presentation | Teacher Resources - Library of Congress. Library of Congress. 29 Apr. 2013 .
"Rights of the People...Equal Protection of the Law." Rights of the People: Individual Freedom and the Bill of Rights. 2003: 81-87. SIRS Government Reporter. Web. 29 Apr 2013. Steinbeck, John. Of Mice and Men. New York: Penguin, 1993. Print.
Sustar, Lee. "Blacks and the Great Depression." Daily News and Opinion from the Left. International Socialist Organization, 17 June 2013. Web. 17 June 2013.Urofsky, Melvin. Ware, Susan. "Women and the Great Depression." The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 June 2013. Zainaldin, Jamil S. "New Georgia Encyclopedia: Great Depression." New Georgia Encyclopedia: Great Depression. Georgia Humanities Council, 3 Oct. 2011. Web. 17 June 2013.