George Orwell's, Of Mice and Men: Power as Self-Belief and Self-Worth
“Power is a kind of self-belief, a feeling of self worth”
Write an essay in which you discuss this statement in relation to Of Mice and Men.
The novel “Of Mice and Men”, portrays many characters that have no power within society. Various elements contribute to this sense of powerlessness, such as race, poverty and gender. However, all the characters employ different methods to empower themselves within society and create a sense of self-worth. Having a dream can help you escape from reality, make you feel empowered and also give you a sense of self-worth. Furthermore, companionship can give you security and a sense of self-belief. Steinbeck presents us with a broad understanding of powerlessness particularly in the Great Depression.
Inequality because of racism can create unfair situations in which people feel they have no self worth. Steinbeck explores this notion in the novel through the character of Crooks. The way Crooks is treated by other characters in this novel portrayed how white people in that society treated coloured people. Crooks empowers himself by educating himself and being able to read. “S’pose you couldn’t go into the bunk house and play rummy ‘cause you was black. How’d you like that? S’pose you had to sit out here an’ read books. Sure you could play horseshoes till it got dark, but then you got to read books. Books ain’t no good. A guy needs somebody—to be near him.” This is significant because it explains to the reader that Crooks has in fact taught himself to read and owns books. It tells us that sooner or later Crooks is going to go crazy because he has nobody to talk to or to be near. The quote indicates repetition, which helps us understand the pain Crooks feels when he is treated the way he is.
Discrimination because of gender can create difficult circumstances and make people feel powerless and not self-worth. The novel discuss’ gender through the character Curley’s Wife. Curley’s Wife is portrayed as property,
Write an essay in which you discuss this statement in relation to Of Mice and Men.
The novel “Of Mice and Men”, portrays many characters that have no power within society. Various elements contribute to this sense of powerlessness, such as race, poverty and gender. However, all the characters employ different methods to empower themselves within society and create a sense of self-worth. Having a dream can help you escape from reality, make you feel empowered and also give you a sense of self-worth. Furthermore, companionship can give you security and a sense of self-belief. Steinbeck presents us with a broad understanding of powerlessness particularly in the Great Depression.
Inequality because of racism can create unfair situations in which people feel they have no self worth. Steinbeck explores this notion in the novel through the character of Crooks. The way Crooks is treated by other characters in this novel portrayed how white people in that society treated coloured people. Crooks empowers himself by educating himself and being able to read. “S’pose you couldn’t go into the bunk house and play rummy ‘cause you was black. How’d you like that? S’pose you had to sit out here an’ read books. Sure you could play horseshoes till it got dark, but then you got to read books. Books ain’t no good. A guy needs somebody—to be near him.” This is significant because it explains to the reader that Crooks has in fact taught himself to read and owns books. It tells us that sooner or later Crooks is going to go crazy because he has nobody to talk to or to be near. The quote indicates repetition, which helps us understand the pain Crooks feels when he is treated the way he is.
Discrimination because of gender can create difficult circumstances and make people feel powerless and not self-worth. The novel discuss’ gender through the character Curley’s Wife. Curley’s Wife is portrayed as property,