, Research Paper
Prejudice in Of Mice and Men
Novel by John Steinbeck
In the past and present there have been many divisions of people
for many reasons. Examples of this prejudice include discrimination
against women who wanted equal rights, including the right to vote. It
also includes discrimination against African Americans and believe it
or not, the Elderly. In John Steinbeck s Novel Of Mice and Men
there is prejudice on many levels including gender, race, and age.
Both in the real world and in Steinbeck s novel, women were
treated as if they are a minute part of society. Curley treats his wife
like she is simply an object. An example of this is when he tells her to
go inside their house very pugnaciously. This shows his lack of respect
for her. In his novel Steinbeck shows that throughout history women
have been discriminated against. Curley s wife is an example of this
prejudice.
Many people throughout the years have discriminated against
individuals because of their race. In Of Mice and Men , Crooks
represents the prejudice against African Americans. In one part of the
book Crooks is Given Hell because George and Lennie were late to
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Crooks is Given Hell for the simple fact that he is black.
He is also called a nigger which is both disrespectful and degrading
to African Americans. Crooks speaks much about being alone and then
he remarks that the only thing to keep him company when it becomes
dark are books. Books ain t no good. A guy needs somebody to
be near him. This statement represents Crook s deep loneliness
because the difference in his skin color from the others.
One Last example of prejudice in this novel are the attitudes of
all the people on the ranch towards Candy. Candy represents the
elderly people in the world. Candy can often be compared to his dog
who is at the end of his life. Carlson wanted to kill the dog, he spoke
about it by saying ain t nothing left for him. Can t eat, can t see,
can t even walk without hurtin . In truth this is sort of how the people
on the ranch felt about Candy because he is so old and he is an
amputee.
In John Steinbeck s novel Of Mice and Men , there is
prejudice on many levels, in gender, race and age. Each character
represents a different aspect of prejudice against a different group.