Prejudice essay

Prejudice is explored, and run throughout John Steinbeck’s novel “Of Mice and Men.” Steinbeck reflects this by executing The Great Depression and 1930’s as a backdrop. He indicates the natural flaws of human nature; one has within himself. No matter what their status in society is considered as. Steinbeck also explores our options when we meet differences in people. He expresses prejudice profusely through the characters, Crooks, Curley’s wife, and finally George and Lennie. By revealing how it can cause a person to feel worthless, insignificant, as well as lonely. Crooks, the black stable hand is a key example of how racial prejudice can increase loneliness, and make one feel as if they are minimized to nothing. The different intensities of prejudice can be perceived during this novel. An example includes why the workers, fear any interaction with Crooks. One night Crooks explains to Lennie why he does not interact with the others. “Cause I’m black. They play cards in there but I can’t play because I’m black. They say I stink. Well I tell you, you all stink to me’” This lack of social contact has caused him to grow into an isolated and bitter individual. Crooks’ loneliness was not conducted by him upon himself. The reason as to why he is unable to interact with the others specifically is due to the prejudice on the ranch. Nevertheless, when all the rest of the workers have gone into town, leaving behind those of the farm’s inhabitants who are unfit to accompany them: Crooks, because he is black, Lennie, because he is mentally challenged, Candy, because he is handicapped and old, and Curley’s wife, because she is a woman. Here Crooks takes advantage of Lennie’s presence, by taking a moment to pick on someone more inferior. “Suppose George never comes back for you...Then what are you guna do?”
The above quote indicates that it is natural to implement our superiority complex. Here the reader discovers the mean side of Crooks which develops