Stereotyping based on ethnic or physical characteristics is typical to the 1930s depression where civil rights for minority groups had not yet been addressed. George threatens to lock Lennie up inside a cage. I was jus foolin, Lennie. "Listen, N*****," she said. As a black man Crooks is used to being at the very bottom of the hierarchy. Achieving The American Dream is a great desire for all but rarely does it ever come true (website). He confesses that he accidentally killed his puppy and that George will be mad. An spose they lock him up an strap him down and put him in a cage. WebCrooks also has some power over Lennie due to his mental disability, but also is defensive out of fear, due to mistreatment from other ranch workers) "His tone was a little more friendly" Section 4 P 101 (Crooks relaxes due him realising he has power over Lennie, and how Lennie isn't as much of a threat to him as other ranch workers. But his anger always fades when he realizes Lennie is handicapped and his compassion for Lennie overtakes him. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. So you forgot that awready, did you? The themes of loneliness, the predatory nature of people, and discrimination are all addressed here. Today, most men have the opportunity to have pretty settle jobs. Tell about that George. Whynt you do it yourself? In the novel Of Mice and Men, author John Steinbeck reflects on the prejudice that even still plagues modern times. He paused in relish of the memory. Books aint no good. I wasnt drunk. After she tells this to Lennie, he tries to tell her that George told him not to talk to her because she was trouble. I want to wake up and enjoy every sunrise with you and vanish into your hand at the sunset of my life. Of Mice and Men is a novella by John Steinbeck in 1937. The novella, Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck , is set in California in the 1930s. Discrimination shapes a way a person acts around other people. Go on, George! lessons in math, English, science, history, and more. Below is a summary of each chapter and the racial aspects. Crooks has his own corner of the stable where he sleeps and puts all his things in because the other men dont want him in the bunkhouse because he is black. Hes jes like a kid, aint he. Sure, hes jes like a kid. How about getting full access immediately? WebLennies foolishness often allows him to speak honestly where others wont, and he sometimes taps into things that "normal" people cant (like the fact that the ranch isnt a good place for him and George to be hanging out). Both were dressed in denim trousers and in denim coats with brass buttons. You drink some, George. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. Spose you couldnt go into the bunk house and play rummy cause you was black. Slim is the only character who shows respect for Crooks. George and Lennie meet the ranch boss and several other workers in this chapter. He accidentally kills Curley's wife, which inevitably causes a lynch mob to run after him. Ranch with a bunch of guys on it aint no place for a girl, specially like her., You go on get outta my room. Slim had not moved. Discrimination have been happening everywhere in the world and as long as anyone can remember. 4 | Summary & Themes, Dreams in Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck | Overview, Quotes & Significance, Conflict in Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck | Types & Analysis, Lennie & George's Relationship in Of Mice and Men, Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck: Ch. They got no family. Curley, Curley's wife, Carlson, Candy, and other men use derogatory language when referring to Crooks. Thats all you can ever remember is them rabbits.. "That ranch we're goin' to is right down there about a quarter mile. Crooks is discriminated for Of Mice and Men, Chapter 4. But because he cant control his own strength, Lennie accidentally kills the pet mice that he hides from George inside his pockets. Thas good, he said. You bindle bums think youre so damn good. Racism and prejudice works two ways. In the end, intolerance leads to tragedy for each one of them. One way more than the other but everyone has to do things and deal with things that they dont want to do. An important additional theme is loneliness and companionship. Although the 1930s seems pretty far back, discrimination still occurs in society today and can either be intentional or nonintentional. They hope to make it big, get rich, and buy some land for themselves. George and Lennie meet an old swamper named Candy, who shows the racial divide when talking about the black stable buck, Crooks. George knew what had happened and understood, but in the end decided to kill him painlessly to protect him. These are all examples from the characters of discrimination both in Of Mice and Men and real life. She is never referred to by name, but merely as Curleys wife. I wisht I could put you in a cage with about a million mice an let you have fun. His anger left him suddenly. First descriptions of George and Lennie. We do not yet have the solutions to these questions, but the awareness that we live in an endangered world is present in more and When the men go into town after a long day of work, Crooks is left alone in his room in the barn. Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support. Cause Im black., I was born right here in Southern California. The guysll be comin in.. The men at the ranch all believe that she tries to seduce them and then the boss would fire them. We're gonna go in an' see the boss. Hes nuts, Slim. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 3. George may have foreshadowed trouble and disallowed Lennie to leave this particular place; this puts George as alpha male. That ranch were goin to is right down there about a quarter mile. Lennie asks George to tell him about their dream farm, as they spend a night in the open air in the woods by the river before starting work at the ranch. Analyze how the following characters are discriminated against in the novel: - Crooks - Lennie - Curley's Wife 2. Lennie asked. Steinbeck shows how easily someone was discriminated against in the 1930s. board with our, See She started to scream, which made Lennie panic. There wasnt another colored family for miles around. This affected the story by making the audience really sad when they killed his dog. Lennie cant fathom racial prejudice. Weve already seen he doesnt have a lot of the societal niceties down (like when to pet girls and when not to pet girls), but its actually pretty interesting that Lennie doesnt think of Crooks as being different from himself. Ya see the stable buck's a n*****. Lennie and George. One can clearly see where sexism comes into play here; he not only called her a brutal name that has deceived her, but assumes that she will get them into trouble because she seems like a, People discriminate because they are insecure of themselves. Discrimination plays a large role to feeling lonely. In the novella, Of Mice and Men, the readers are following the life of Lennie and George, who are migrant workers during the Great Depression. Michael Meyer points out, the hardship for a woman to live on the ranch as presented in the novel should not be ignored. It is a good book with a great hook and ends with an unexpected bang. Factors contributing to their loneliness include ageism, disability discrimination, and racism. | Contact Us WebLennie was just sitting there listening to her and he didnt say anything that couldve made her upset. Crooks has fun teasing Lennie because the men always give him a hard time. Got books in his room." During this time in America people were panning gold, and doing anything for just a little bit of cash. Theyll take ya to the booby hatch. WebA lot of characters are discriminated against in Of Mice and Men but prove it wrong in the end. You could cover your beans with it and I wouldnt touch none of it., If you don want me I can go off in the hills an find a cave. When George finds Lennie first, he accepts the responsibility for Lennie and knows he has gone too far. I wouldnt eat no ketchup if it was right here beside me. If it was here, you could have some. But I wouldnt eat none, George. You have a great life.' While George and Lennie dressed the same, thats where the similarities end. George reminisces about their dream of owning their farm. Discrimination plays a big role in Of Mice and Men, since it takes place during the Great Depression. Carlsons exit is related to the discrimination lawsuit filed by Abby Grossberg, a producer fired by the network last month, the sources said. Dont make no difference who the guy is, longs hes with you. This passage highlights the need for companionship and the oppressive nature of society for Crooks, who faces both loneliness and discrimination. Lennie interrupts their conversation as he comes in from the barn; Slim has given Lennie one of his puppies. WebRT @silksofbohemia: Since people still love & want to support the idea of Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez, Ive compiled quotes of Joan speaking on being discriminated against as a child for her skin color. Candy made a comment to him early in the book saying, Must be nice to have a room all to yourself this way. Thomas Merton, Oh my Valentine! His huge companion dropped his blankets and flung himself down and drank from the surface of the green pool; drank with long gulps, snorting into the water like a horse. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. You can form opinions without having to get the facts. This quote, once said by E. B. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 2. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. If he pinches their heads, they'll survive. Furthermore this shows my point,George lay where he was and whistled softly to himself.There were sounds of splashing down the river in direction Lennie had taken. George threatens Lennie, his mentally disabled friend. One night, when some of the guys were in the barn, they brought up the idea of shooting the old dog, and putting it out of its misery. The names she calls Crook, Candy, and Lennie represent her prejudice towards blacks, the elderly, and people with disabilities. If he coulda used his feet, Smitty says he woulda killed the n*****. Get unlimited access to over 88,000 lessons. Candy feels like his days are numbered. WebAs Crooks explains, his hope of fitting in is not possible, but it remains his greatest hope. (We will point out that he doesn't ever use Crooks' name, however. Candy interrupts their conversation and hesitates to go into Crooks' room even after being invited in. Curley enjoys picking on bigger guys like Lennie because he is much smaller. George threatens to lock Lennie up inside a cage. You know what I can do to you if you open your trap? Crooks stared hopelessly at her, and then he sat down on his bunk and drew into himself. Crooks is angry that Lennie has barged into his room when he cannot go into the bunkhouse. Of Mice and Men echoes the famous lines, 'The best laid plans of mice and men often go astray, and leave us only grief and pain for promised joy!' Curleys wife, Lennie, and Crooks all deal with prejudice against themselves different ways. Crooks uses the racial slurs of the white men to describe himself, to show how he is aware of how little he is respected. ", "Yeah. The novel is set in the rural Salinas valleys of California. Migrant workers, unlike Lennie and George, primarily travel alone, and they go from job to job. Weve already seen he doesnt have a lot of the societal niceties down (like when to pet girls and when not to pet girls), but its actually pretty interesting that Lennie doesnt think of Crooks as being different from himself. I wont have no place to go, an I cant get no more jobs" (60). 60 lessons Lennie tells George about his dream of having rabbits. They were treated like maids, toys, and like a statue. Everbody out doin sompin. (A THREAD). He cant turn to some other guy and ast him if he sees it too. George and Lennie. Like I done in Weed? Oh, so ya forgot that too, did ya? Lennie is asking George to drink plenty of water even after George yelled at him for drinking too fast. Candy is an old man that worked on the ranch until he had his arm cut off and was incapable of doing any heavy work and his dog was too an old, smelly dog who couldnt do any work because of his age. Well, you keep your place then, n*****. That wouldnt have made the audience sad. Steinbecks novel Of Mice and Men takes place during the Great Depression, 1940s era and describes a very realistic situation about characters who are simply trying to get by and chasing the American Dream but struggles with conflict within themselves and the outside world. The readers learn the two men left their last job in a hurry. He reassures him of their special relationship and that they will look after each other no matter what happens. Most of the characters are lonely for the reason of they are working on a ranch with no companionship. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. Not only does, Of Mice And Men Candy Discrimination Quotes, Another common form of discrimination in the book and at the time was against the elderly and overall those who couldn't provide much help. His language reveals the sexist between Curleys wife and the men on the ranch. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 4. If he finds out what a crazy bastard you are, we wont get no job, but if he sees ya work before he hears ya talk, were set., O.K., said George. Curley's wife says her hair is soft and lets Lennie feel. He got nothing to measure by. Unfortunately, Lennie's actions destroy their dream. These authors also demonstrate various kinds of prejudice can make it difficult for many to achieve the American Dream. All the men head into the bunkhouse for the night after a long day of work. Crooks became very bitter and lonely in this story because of his discrimination/segregation from everybody else. They say I stink. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 2. Later on, when Candy and George were talking, Candy says "You seen what they done to my dog tonight? He is used feeling weak and vulnerable himself. Crooks, the black stable buck, is the victim of racial discrimination. I gotta tell you again, do I? George had to take responsibility for Lennie and did not want to see him suffer. Everywhere he goes, he is harassed and made fun of. George and Lennie have been together since they were younger, as Lennie would come along with George while he worked, so they had become inseparable. he asked. Couldn we maybe bring him in an theyll lock him up? Later in the story, Lennies incredible strength causes two deaths, first he kills a puppy and then Curleys wife. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 4. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. Curleys wife is only allowed to talk to Curley and always feels lonely because of it. Wealthier people dont have to worry about money as often, so they experience life a little bit easier. I tell ya I could of went with shows. In John Steinbecks novel Of Mice and Men characters in the novel are segregated by sex, race, age, physical and mental disabilities. Candy and his dog was Quite similar to George and Lennie, thats because Lennie aint much good to George but Lennie has lived with him for a long time and is also his only friend, the same with Candy as said by Carlson He aint no good to you, Candy. The first man was small and quick, dark of face, with restless eyes and sharp, strong features. Curley knows about Lennie's lack of intelligence and decides to start hitting him. Lastly, Lennie is mentally handicap so he discriminated against because of that. copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. Candy is a worker on the farm who is both old and disabled, missing a hand and acknowledges his disadvantage by saying, I aint good with ony one handtheyll can me purty soon. Whatta ya think I am, a kid? Throughout the novel, these three characters face many hardships because they are harshly judged and often misunderstood. When they can me here I wisht somebodyd shoot me. Crooks is made to sleep alone in the barn, with the animals and segregated from everyone else. Although we dont actually get a peek into the mind of Lennie Small till the end of the novel, Steinbeck makes it Lennie, Candy, Candys dog, Curleys wife and Crooks all face social pressure from the other characters on the ranch based on their intelligence, physical disability, age, sex and color. If some guy was with me, he could tell me I was asleep, an then it would be all right. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 4. Lennie is a guy who is often misjudged by his size in Of Mice and Men. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. Crooks is a negro stable buck and represents discrimination of race. Lennie is allowed to enter Crooks' room due to the similarity of their circumstances. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 3. He leaves the barn and runs to the pond where George told him to hide if he gets in trouble. Curley is the boss's son who has a chip on his shoulder about being a smaller guy. She turned her head. Because of disabilities, they are the weakness on which the stronger majority of the other men prey upon. People discriminated against because of their differences and how they dont fit in. Curley's wife implies that all of them are worthless and uses derogatory language toward Crooks. An he aint no good to himself. Candy also plays a big part in the book; when he speaks you would consider him the narrator, this is because he is the source were George and Lennie are getting information about the ranch; The swamper warmed to his gossip for that reason he is the gossiper. Now, one could argue that since this is simply an animal that ageism doesnt really apply here, but this leads to something larger. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 4. Maybe if he sees somethin, he dont know whether its right or not. It's a shame that none of the other charactersexcept maybe Lennieseem to see that. WebLennie dimly understands that something is wrong with him, and that's exactly why he wants rabbits, because "they ain't so little" (1.79). I mean you pull the curtain away, and you see I'm just as insecure and neurotic and scared and vulnerable as anybody, you know. He tells George that he does not have any relatives, so he would be able to give all of his money to him and Lennie. Whatever you say, "it don't mean nothing." WebBy saying this, Lennie is referring to George as his guardian. The story follows two migrant workers, George Milton and Lennie Smalls, during The Great Depression. A mob of men ran after George and Lennie causing them to run and hide. George also contributes to accusing Curleys wife of being a tart, by stating, In this quotation, George is warning Lennie to stay away from her. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. The kind of mental problems Lennie had were not understood at that time. But, Crooks slyly points out, there are some advantages, too: no one holds you responsible for your actions. 1 | Summary & Quotes, 9th Grade English: Homework Help Resource, SAT Subject Test Literature: Tutoring Solution, HiSET Language Arts - Reading: Prep and Practice, Common Core ELA - Literature Grades 11-12: Standards, SAT Subject Test Literature: Practice and Study Guide, Common Core ELA Grade 8 - Language: Standards, 10th Grade English: Homework Help Resource, AP English Literature: Homeschool Curriculum, 9th Grade English Curriculum Resource & Lesson Plans, 12th Grade English Curriculum Resource & Lesson Plans, American Literature Syllabus Resource & Lesson Plans, Common Core ELA Grade 7 - Literature: Standards, Create an account to start this course today. People with a mental disability are often looked For example, when Curley attacked Lennie, Lennie grabbed onto Curleys hand and held on. | Privacy Policy Now, look Ill give him the work tickets, but you aint gonna say a word. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. He accuses Slim of being in the barn with her, though none of them had seen her. 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." Cause Im black. You jus stand there and dont say nothing. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 2. Society treats Curley 's Wife poorly because she is a woman, Crooks because he is black and Lennie because he is disabled. Whatta I care? One of these challenges is discrimination because not everybody in the novella is treated equally. When the ranch workers and Curley find Curley's wife dead in the barn, they gather a lynch mob to find Lennie. She is as discriminated against as Crooks, Candy, and Lennie. Although Curley's wife is just as racist toward Crooks as the other workers, she also experiences a level of discrimination. Listen, N*****, she said. The author shows oppression of the characters through their effect on others, actions, and their dialogue. Lennie is also symbolic of people who are mistreated and discriminated against because of their mental handicaps. Create your account. Enjoy reading and share 5 famous quotes about Lennie Being Discriminated Against with everyone. She has experience teaching in both a private and public education setting, in addition to almost three years experience teaching in a completely digital environment. The three men agree to purchase the place together, hoping for a better life. Each of these characters are migrant workers during the Great Depression who are discriminated against in different ways. Candy tells George how Crooks was allowed to enter the bunkhouse at Christmas time when the boss bought a gallon of whiskey for the men. Curleys wife viciously attacks Crooks and threatens to have him hung, after he tells her she does not belong in his bunk and should leave. But they wont do nothing like that. Maybe you just better go along an roll your hoop. They'll tie ya up with a collar, like a dog." Youre a nice guy. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 2, Candy and George. Even though slavery has been abolished, African Americans dont have equal rights. There he is treated in a very demeaning manner by the ranch hands. | About Us He tells Lennie he cannot play cards or go to the bunkhouse because he is black. The boss pointed a playful finger at Lennie. It also affected the story by putting Candy in a mindset of wanting to get out of there, so he proposes to join George and Lennie in buying the little house. People with a mental disability are often looked down upon in society. He pulled his hat down a little more over his eyes, the way Georges hat was. But he's still pinching their heads, and he's still basically torturing the animals that he's supposed to be looking after. I wasnt kicked in the head with no horse, was I, George? Be a damn good thing if you was, George said viciously. Explain how these examples of discrimination relate to other themes in the novel. There are government programs to help support disabled people and also older people, so they dont have to keep enduring the hard labor that they once had to. Unfortunately, Lennie doesn't know his strength and always kills the mice by petting them too hard. This highlights the lack of understanding people had for those with a mentality disability like Lennie. After quite a bit of pressuring, at last Candy said sotly and hopelessly, Awright--take im (47). Of Mice and Men, Chapter 2, George and Candy talk about Crooks. Slim is another migrant worker who acts as a voice of reason in the surrounding injustice. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 4. Sure you could play horseshoes till it got dark, but then you got to read books. The guys said on account of the n*****s got a crooked back, Smitty cant use his feet. He paused in relish of the memory. It aint the same if I tell it. George often gets angry with Lennie because the physically very strong Lennie cannot control himself. Racial segregation, gender rights, and handicap vulnerability are all problems in Of Mice and Men that reflect the society at the time. She looked at her fingers. She dreamed of being in showbusiness and movies. Crooks is discriminated for being a black man, Lennie is discriminated for being mentally disabled, Candy is discriminated for being old and useless, and Curley's wife is discriminated against because she is a woman. Almost all of the characters who, in. Steinbeck uses the main characters personalities to show how people were affected during the Great Depression. When Lennie accidentally killed Curleys wife, Curley didnt understand Lennie and the circumstances that were in the event. What this means is that people are not truth to themselves so they have to reform in bullying and discriminating each other. There were footsteps behind her, going by. You get another mouse thats fresh and Ill let you keep it a little while., Lennie looked sadly up at him. This shows the relationship between George and Lennie. This is to blame to his mental He is weak because his not a complete man, and if he can't work on the farm, Prejudice creates barriers for people with different backgrounds, which makes it harder for people to communicate with each other. The men on the ranch do not realize the strength that Lennie has until he breaks Curleys hand and ends up killing Curleys wife. This quotation suggests that prejudice is the symbol of ignorance, for men to either recognize or ignore the judgements they hold against others. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. Lennie is asking George to drink plenty of water even after George yelled at him for drinking too fast. But childlike Lennie is so innocent, he doesnt even get mad. He is happy when george takes a drink. Youd drink out of a gutter if you was thirsty. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. Strong as a bull. Lennie smiled to himself. And if that day were to come, you would want it, wouldn't you? Go onGeorge. We aint got nothing to say to you at all. There aint no more harm in him than a kid neither, except hes so strong (Steinbeck 43). To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. I got both of em here. Lennie doesnt understand racial prejudice and why Crooks is not allowed into the bunk house because of segregation. But while Lennie may annoy him sometimes George needs him and doesnt want to be without him. This reveals the racism of the time had Crooks been white, the men would have hailed him as an expert. He tells them he is the swamper, mopping and sweeping around the bunks and farmhouses. Where we goin, George? The little man jerked down the brim of his hat and scowled over at Lennie. Lonely and flirtatious, she is discriminated against by the men, who are contemptuous of her and wont engage in conversation with her for fear of being fired. But since she is married she isnt allowed to talk to anybody but Curley or shell be accused of being a flirt or a tart. Curley's wife is a weak character; the only power she has is threatening those with a disability or a person of color to control the situation. Of Mice and Men Prejudice and Racism Quotes.