Racial Discrimination In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

Words: 444
Pages: 2
Open Document
Racism is the notion that one race is essentially above to another. In the 1930s, life for black people was difficult due to racism. Racial discrimination was not illegal in 1930s America, therefore racism was still rampant at the time. Whites and blacks were segregated in 1930s. Blacks were considered as 2nd class citizens. In John Steinbeck’s novel, Of Mice and Men, racism is expressed through the character Crooks. The way the other workers and society treats Crooks in the novel shows the racism of the characters and how the different races act with one another. In John Steinbeck's inconceivable novel, he aims to demonstrate the affliction that is racial discrimination and its bind to migrant workers in the 1930s. The overall social changes …show more content…
Through the character of Crooks, Steinbeck relieves the polluting racism of America in the 1930s. Crooks takes care of the horses and does other work around the California ranch however Crooks is literally segregated from the others only because of the color of his skin. Racial discrimination is revealed at the end of chapter 4, when Curley’s wife invites herself into Crook’s room. Crooks does not want her in the room. As Curley’s wife enters Crook’s room she yells "Listen, nigger you know what I can do to you if you open your trap?" (4.116-117). Curley's wife doesn't feel anything for Crooks, she just sees Crooks as the one guy she can pick on. She vocally shows the dominance she has over Crooks and threatens to have him lynched. By being segregated from everyone, people on the ranch look and treat him differently. As stated in chapter 2 by the George, "Sure. Ya see the stable buck's a nigger." Nigger, huh? Yeah. Nice fella too. Got a crooked back where a horse kicked him. The boss gives him hell when he's mad. But the stable buck don't give a damn about that. He reads a lot. Got books in his room." (2.15-17). Steinbeck informs the reader that Crooks reads much more than the others. This shows there is more to Crooks, no one on the ranch notices that beside Lennie. John Steinbeck’s analysis of crooks’ powerlessness gives the reader an a explicit vision of the fear that is inflicted with
Show More

Related Documents: Racial Discrimination In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

Discrimination In Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

To Kill a Mockingbird and John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men encompass a time when outright discrimination was prominent. These award-winning novels depict the many forms of oppression/discrimination prevalent in society. Both authors emphasize the inherent prejudice against various minorities to bring about change in the reader. Lee and Steinbeck illustrate the pervasive nature of racial discrimination in society. Tom Robinson of Lee’s novel and Crooks of Steinbeck’s novella are victims of segregation…

Words 392 - Pages 2

Lennie And Crooks Discrimination

Individuals Coping with Racial/Disability Discrimination “You’re a retard!” Did that surprise you there? For most people, it did not really hurt as it is thought of more as lame insult. However for others, it is a whole different story. In John Steinbeck's novel Of Mice and Men, Lennie and Crooks are different from the rest of the characters.The story takes place in the 1930’s, during the Great Depression. During that time, the colored had no rights and the disabled were not respected.…

Words 897 - Pages 4

Differences In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

“It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.” The short story, “Of Mice and Men,” written by John Steinbeck, takes place in the late 1930’s while discrimination of almost everything besides the healthy white male existed. In this story, two complete opposites embark on a journey to achieve their American dream of owning a small farm with plenty of crops and animals. Along the way, they observe various forms of prejudice, some…

Words 1184 - Pages 5

FINAL English Essay Of Mice And Men

Solitude is a significant theme in the novel Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. Debate how this theme is developed in the lives of at least three different characters. In the novella, Steinbeck creates different types of segregation restricting from contradictory origins that lead to various, although still disappointing outcomes such as; the discrimination of Curley’s wife, racism & class prejudice towards Crooks and George’s separation even though he has Lennie. The author portrays Curley’s…

Words 964 - Pages 4

Of Mice and Men Essay

How does Steinbeck portray the victims in ‘Of Mice and Men’, with reference to Curley’s wife, Candy & Crooks On October 29 1929, millions of dollars were wiped out in an event that became to be known as the Wall Street Crash. This led to the Depression in America which crippled the country. People lost their life savings when firms and banks went bust. Shares became worthless and many people had all of their money in them. 12-15 million men and women went unemployed. Food was short and the unemployed…

Words 1585 - Pages 7