From the Weak to the Strong: The Social Hierarchy of Mice and Men
From the Weak to the Strong: The Social Hierarchy of Mice and Men
Since the beginning of society men have always followed a social hierarchy; a concept Charles Darwin studied intensely. Through this ideal, the strong prey on the weak and the weak are isolated, taken advantage of, and often humiliated. In the novel Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck recreates a social hierarchy between his supporting characters to prove that those who are weak and vulnerable are subject to ostracism and ridicule. At the bottom of the hierarchical chain, Lennie becomes the epitome of what Steinbeck believes is the weakest, most “unfit” member of society. Darwin’s classifies “fitness”, in a social manner, as the ability a person to adapt and integrate themselves functionally within a community; the complete opposite of Lennie. Steinbeck creates a juxtaposition within the protagonist Lennie through his “so God damn dumb” (Steinbeck 41) mentality and his “strong as a bull” (22) physical appearance and strength. He transforms from a person who would have, originally, been viewed by Darwin as one of the prime candidates of “fitness” to one of the worst since he could not function properly in society or take advantage of his assets. Lennie’s lack of ability to communicate socially according to the society’s standards led him into situations where he became a dangerous threat due to his lack of intelligence. In order to protect Lennie from potentially harming people, George, his caretaker, resorts to keeping him isolated from other by drilling him not to socialize with other farmhands. “Only Lennie was in the barn”, ostracized from the farmhands who went into town on their day off since he wasn’t mentally fit enough to partake in the actions that normal working men did during that time (84). Lennie position at the bottom of the ladder is reaffirmed when Crooks, a crippled black man who is only one notch above him, calls him as “crazy as a wedge” and agrees with George “for keeping [him]
Since the beginning of society men have always followed a social hierarchy; a concept Charles Darwin studied intensely. Through this ideal, the strong prey on the weak and the weak are isolated, taken advantage of, and often humiliated. In the novel Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck recreates a social hierarchy between his supporting characters to prove that those who are weak and vulnerable are subject to ostracism and ridicule. At the bottom of the hierarchical chain, Lennie becomes the epitome of what Steinbeck believes is the weakest, most “unfit” member of society. Darwin’s classifies “fitness”, in a social manner, as the ability a person to adapt and integrate themselves functionally within a community; the complete opposite of Lennie. Steinbeck creates a juxtaposition within the protagonist Lennie through his “so God damn dumb” (Steinbeck 41) mentality and his “strong as a bull” (22) physical appearance and strength. He transforms from a person who would have, originally, been viewed by Darwin as one of the prime candidates of “fitness” to one of the worst since he could not function properly in society or take advantage of his assets. Lennie’s lack of ability to communicate socially according to the society’s standards led him into situations where he became a dangerous threat due to his lack of intelligence. In order to protect Lennie from potentially harming people, George, his caretaker, resorts to keeping him isolated from other by drilling him not to socialize with other farmhands. “Only Lennie was in the barn”, ostracized from the farmhands who went into town on their day off since he wasn’t mentally fit enough to partake in the actions that normal working men did during that time (84). Lennie position at the bottom of the ladder is reaffirmed when Crooks, a crippled black man who is only one notch above him, calls him as “crazy as a wedge” and agrees with George “for keeping [him]