He gives the men power over him by being overly careful in what he does and says, because if he gets thrown out from the ranch, no one would take him. It's not true. Cause Im black. | Contact Us An you aint gonna do no bad things like you done in Weed, neither. Lennie looked puzzled. 2023 Shmoop University Inc | All Rights Reserved | Privacy | Legal. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. In this novella, Crooks is the symbol of 1930s racism and prejudice. 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. When George and Lennie first arrive at the ranch, they meet Candy, who tells them how Crooks was beaten one Christmas by another worker. More specifically, three of these characters experience loneliness from acts of discrimination. 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). George tells Lennie not to speak to the boss. He looked across the fire at Lennies anguished face, and then he looked ashamedly at the flames. Strong as a bull, he repeated. 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. An he was dead (Steinbeck 87). I wisht wed get the rabbits pretty soon, George. Got a crooked back where a horse kicked him. What are two examples showing how Lennie is discriminated against because of his disability in the book Of Mice and Men? One example of Lennie being discriminated against because of his mental disability takes place when Curley views him as an easy target and vents his rage by punching Lennie in the face. Crooks is discriminated because of his skin color. During this time in America people were panning gold, and doing anything for just a little bit of cash. You got it in your hand. Some of the most clearly shown examples in John Steinbecks novel Of Mice and Men are gender, age and racial discrimination. Society treats Curley 's Wife poorly because she is a woman, Crooks because he is black and Lennie because he is disabled. He also incorporates the idea of the American Dream, and how every character has their own vision of it. After he. These are all examples from the characters of discrimination both in Of Mice and Men and real life. He also senses trouble ahead, as she is the only woman there. Sure you could play horseshoes till it got dark, but then you got to read books. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. When Lennie accidentally killed Curleys wife, Curley didnt understand Lennie and the circumstances that were in the event. Life of the victims is hard because of the things they have to go through. Where we goin, George? The little man jerked down the brim of his hat and scowled over at Lennie. flashcard sets. "I been here a long time," he said. 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. The guys wouldnt let him use his feet, so the n***** got him. Shes a jail bait all set on the trigger. You leave her be., He dont give nobody else a chance to win., George said, Shes gonna make a mess. You have a great life.' Poor Lennie offers to go and find a cave if George doesnt want him anymore. The men on the ranch ignore her and never want anything to do with her because she is Curleys wife and Curley gets angry quickly, especially when it involves his wife. George shoots Lennie so he does not have to suffer at the hands of the lynch mob. Carlson, another ranch worker, tells Candy he should get rid of his dog because it's old and smells. How about getting full access immediately? The small man stepped nervously beside him. Since 2005, she has taught literature, writing, and philosophy courses at the university and graduate levels. But because he cant control his own strength, Lennie accidentally kills the pet mice that he hides from George inside his pockets. 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. He would be confined to a psychiatric hospital, where he would suffer cruel and degrading treatments. Lennie may be a good worker, but is it really discrimination not to want to hire a "crazy bastard," or is it just good sense? Lennie doesnt have hands, he has paws, as Steinbeck compares him to an animal. Eventually, he gives the dog to Carlson. In Of Mice and Men, intolerance is a important topic, because during that time period it this discrimination of minorities was socially acceptable as opposed to currently where we believe that intolerance has no place in our society. He [Curley] stood crying, his fist lost is Lennies paw Go onGeorge. Curley treats his wife like a possession. I dont know why I cant talk to you. Crooks was a victim of the most common part of discrimination; racism. Curleys wife, on the other hand, is not insecure, but suffers from ostracism and isolation because she is a married woman. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. But Slim understands Lennies fate and that there will be no trial or mercy or for Lennie. They were treated like maids, toys, and like a statue. Lennie is often excluded from nights out or things the other men are doing. They say I stink. Jus strokin it., He heard Lennies whimpering cry and wheeled about. But not us. Lennie broke in. Curley's wife makes her way into the bunkhouse, and George quickly realizes she could be trouble for Lennie. All rights reserved. Shut up now. They let the n***** come in that night. You drink some, George. You never had none, you crazy bastard. Most of the characters are lonely for the reason of they are working on a ranch with no companionship. We see here the kind and considerate side to Lennie and he shows appreciation of his friend George. But the stable buck don't give a damn about that. One of these challenges is discrimination because not everybody in the novella is treated equally. When the men go into town after a long day of work, Crooks is left alone in his room in the barn. As the story progresses, a theme of isolation, discrimination, and loneliness on Candy, Lennie, and Crooks is revealed. As stated in the book, (Steinbeck 28) Candy is one of the many men who have judged her based on what they think they have seen. But should George, who keeps dragging Lennie around with him, have taken some action before the big guy wound up killing someone? 60 lessons Read an analysis of racism and discrimination, and read quotes involving Crooks, Curley's wife, and others. WebTop Lennie Being Discriminated Against Quotes Just remember, someday you might be asking for forgiveness. George said brusquely, Well he aint now. If he aint, I guess I better look someplace else, she said playfully. Candy to Curleys wife, who enters the stable bucks room looking for Curley. She dreamed of being in showbusiness and movies. I seen em poison before, but I never seen no piece of jail bait worse than her. The names she calls Crook, Candy, and Lennie represent her prejudice towards blacks, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Crooks is made to sleep alone in the barn, with the animals and segregated from everyone else. All the men head into the bunkhouse for the night after a long day of work. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. He reassures him of their special relationship and that they will look after each other no matter what happens. However, when Candy and Lennie start discussing their plans for buying a farm, Crooks thinks he may have an opportunity for a better life. They aint so little.. | Privacy Policy He confesses that he accidentally killed his puppy and that George will be mad. George stopped whistling and listened.Poor bastard, he said softly, and then went on whistling again.(Steinbeck 's 8) George in this quote brings down Lennie, because he is not as smart as him or he is slow compared to other people to George and you can say he is not normal. George has taken on the role of father to the simple, childlike Lennie who likes to catch mice and pet them. This is to blame to his mental 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. They play cards in there, but I can't play because I'm black. Crooks suggests to Lennie that if George doesnt come back from town life would be catastrophic for Lennie. Candy laughs about the situation and uses derogatory language about Crooks. Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you Lennie got them kicked out of many jobs, but they landed a spot as a ranch hand bucking barley. Lennie is allowed to enter Crooks' room due to the similarity of their circumstances. Although the 1930s seems pretty far back, discrimination still occurs in society today and can either be intentional or nonintentional. Whatta they think I am, anyways? An error occurred trying to load this video. She is often described as a tart or far worse to emphasize the little respect women received during this time. Carlson is another ranch hand with a tough attitude. George loses patience with and verbally abuses Lennie for asking the same question over and over again. Sometimes Curleys in here, she explained. Jesus Christ! The author shows oppression of the characters through their effect on others, actions, and their dialogue. If we can get jus a few dollars in the poke well shove off and go up the American River and pan gold. After hearing the gunshot, the men find him and head back to the ranch. George scowled at him, and Lennie dropped his head in shame at having forgotten. George and Lennie. My ol man didnt like that. The guys wouldn't let him use his feet, so the n***** got him. Both were dressed in denim trousers and in denim coats with brass buttons. Yes sir. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. An important additional theme is loneliness and companionship. In the novel, we are able to see the strength that Lennie has and how he is not able to control it when Steinbeck talks about how Lennie killed the mouse, the puppy, Curleys wife and crushed Curleys hand. Lennie interrupts their conversation as he comes in from the barn; Slim has given Lennie one of his puppies. Discrimination affects the characters of Of Mice and Men through crooks being called the N word, Curleys wife being portrayed as a slut/tramp, and Lennie being treated and seen as a dumb oaf. | 2 In chapter one, Steinbeck shows how those with disabilities are misunderstood, mistreated, and discriminated against. Thas good, he said. Thomas Merton, Oh my Valentine! You jus stand there and dont say nothing. George is already concerned that Curley's wife will be an issue. This quotation suggests that prejudice is the symbol of ignorance, for men to either recognize or ignore the judgements they hold against others. Crooks, the black stable buck, is the victim of racial discrimination. The white kids come to play at our place, an sometimes I went to play with them, and some of them was pretty nice. Too much of a stretch? There he is treated in a very demeaning manner by the ranch hands. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 4. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 4. Steinbeck uses this example to show how something useless should be destroyed, metaphorically showing the discrimination of Candy, Crooks, and Lennie. One way more than the other but everyone has to do things and deal with things that they dont want to do. WebLennie's lack of understanding allows Crooks to wield power over him, which he is evidently enjoying. George speaks in a sexist way about Curleys wife, saying she has no place on the ranch which should be for men only. He loves to hold mice in his big hands and pet them as they travel. Instead of letting Candy enjoy his dogs company, the guys instead shot it because it didnt have much use. (2.22), Yikes. You know what I could do? Crooks seemed to grow smaller, and he pressed himself against the wall. He feels he can tell her what to do. Everbody! Theys gonna be a bad mess about her. "That ranch we're goin' to is right down there about a quarter mile. We aint got nothing to say to you at all. Becausebecause I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you, and thats why., An live off the fatta the lan, Lennie shouted. He is disrupted first by Lennie and then Candy and doesn't want to let them in because he believes their prejudice will contaminate his space. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. He knows Lennie lacks self-control and understanding of his actions. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 2. As the only black man on the ranch, he is shown extreme discrimination. I can go away any time. No look! George often gets angry with Lennie because the physically very strong Lennie cannot control himself. George reminisces about their dream of owning their farm. Curleys wife only wants someone to talk with her, but the men on the ranch mistake her trying to start conversations as sexual advances: I never seen nobody like her. The guysll be comin in.. It aint the same if I tell it. Maybe you guys better go. George threatens Lennie, his mentally disabled friend. Crooks is discriminated for But the relationship is a bit like a master and his dog, with George sometimes being very mean to Lennie, and then again very sympathetic. I was jus foolin, Lennie. Loneliness is shown through Candy because he feels like he does not belong and because he has no other friends except his dog, so he feels secluded from the others. George may have foreshadowed trouble and disallowed Lennie to leave this particular place; this puts George as alpha male. That aint no good, George.. So you forgot that awready, did you? So you forgot that awready, did you? George and Lennie meet the ranch boss and several other workers in this chapter. You know all of it. Noyou tell it. Michele L. Rivera How crazy it is to be "yourself" by trying to live up to an image of yourself you have unconsciously created in the minds of others. Throughout the novel, these three characters face many hardships because they are harshly judged and often misunderstood. Chapter 4- All the ranch workers have gone into town, and Lennie is left in the barn with his puppy. George threatens to lock Lennie up inside a cage. One evening, George and Lennie discuss plans to buy their ranch. I would definitely recommend Study.com to my colleagues. Lennie watched her, fascinated. freebooksummary.com 2016 2022 All Rights Reserved, We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. If them other guys gets in jail they can rot for all anybody gives a damn. Its dreams to be sheltered and comfortable through the winter is eventually destroyed by a ploughman, leaving the mouse nothing but 'grief and pain'. But, Crooks slyly points out, there are some advantages, too: no one holds you responsible for your actions. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 2. He said gently, GeorgeI aint got mine. Chapter 6 - As the lynch mob is searching the grounds of the ranch and surrounding area, George finds Lennie by the pond. I wasnt doin nothing bad with it, George. Discrimination is a major theme in Of Mice and Men. 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. No one has time to read them all, but its important to go over them at least briefly. Slim is another migrant worker who acts as a voice of reason in the surrounding injustice. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 2, George and Candy talk about Crooks. Designed for GCSE English Literature Examinations Prejudice and Discrimination. You bindle bums think youre so damn good. Discrimination if often based on many qualities and abilities. The average student has to read dozens of books per year. John Stamos, A world is to be fought for, sung, and built: Love must imagine the world. After becoming sad the audience would start to see how bad Candy is treated because of his age and understand how the discrimination was. Candy, the old swamper, is a victim of the age discrimination. WebGeorge says to Lennie at the beginning of the story, 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. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Racial segregation, gender rights, and handicap vulnerability are all problems in Of Mice and Men that reflect the society at the time. George extols the virtues of friendship to Lenny, explaining that they are not like everyone else that work in their profession because they travel together. George looked sharply at him. If he hadnt been seen as a vulnerable person then Candy could have stopped them from killing his dog. Youd drink out of a gutter if you was thirsty., Lennie dabbled his big paw in the water and wiggled his fingers so the water arose in little splashes; rings widened across the pool o the other side and came back again. He doesnt even remember the wrong he did in Weed, where he was accused of raping a girl after feeling her dress and not letting go. Well, I aint gonna remind ya, fear ya do it again. A light of understanding broke on Lennies face. WebLonely 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. George is tasked with looking after Lennie, a large man with a mental disability. The two men develop relationships with the other ranch workers while battling the arrogant attitude of Curley. The woman misunderstood this action and accused him of rape. This is shown when Curleys wife shuts him down in a conversation, Listen nigger. After they killed Candys dog for the reason that it was old, candy felt lonely especially since it was his only friend for a long period of time, he also hated the fact that he had no power to stop it, candy looked helplessly at him for Slims opinions were law. He was depressed when his dog is shot, he rolled slowly over and faced the wall and lay silent. It reflected on the position candy was himself, filthy old, disabled, no use, features which candy and his best friend withhold. Steinbeck provides a glimpse of the racial elements during the 1930s through character descriptions, actions, and dialogue. Tell about that George. Whynt you do it yourself? Slim is the only character who shows respect for Crooks. Much like a child would refer back to their parents forbidding them from doing something. Lennie has a mental disability and likes to feel soft things between his hands as a coping mechanism. Satiday night. Cause Im black., I was born right here in Southern California. Candy looks upon Curleys wife as inferior to him because she is a woman, and a young woman at that. There are several different forms of, Lennie is rejected by everyone at the ranch, except George, because of his mental disability (Of Mice and Men 248). Crooks on human rights. He sleeps in a makeshift shed alone because he isn't allowed in the bunkhouse, which reflects the racial segregation common during this period. She sees Lennie alone and acting a bit strange. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 2. After the mens game of horseshoes, Carlson complains about how good Crooks plays. Later on, when Candy and George were talking, Candy says "You seen what they done to my dog tonight? I dont want no ketchup. Candy overhears the conversation and promises to give them all his earnings if they let him join them. Curleys wife, Crooks, and Candy are discriminated against on the ranch just like they would be in society. 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. Books aint no good. He is happy when george takes a drink. The conversation makes him momentarily forget his separateness. That is if they let him in on their dream to buy their own house. 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). Prejudice is a great time saver. 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. WebBy saying this, Lennie is referring to George as his guardian. Below is a summary of each chapter and the racial aspects. Many people just misunderstand Lennie and judge him right away. I want to wake up and enjoy every sunrise with you and vanish into your hand at the sunset of my life. Crooks is a negro stable buck and represents discrimination of race. This shows Georges influence on Lennie. Sure. 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!' The two men travel together throughout the Salinas Valley of California to find steady work. (We will point out that he doesn't ever use Crooks' name, however. The novel titled, Of Mice and Men, written by John Steinbeck, derives from the poem, To a Mouse, written by Robert Burns in the 18th century. But Curley's wife doesn't feel any solidarity with Crooks: she just sees him as the one guy she can pick on instead of try to pick up. Now, look Ill give him the work tickets, but you aint gonna say a word. There wasnt another colored family for miles around. Id pet em, and pretty soon they bit my fingers and I pinched their heads a little and then they was dead because they was so little. One night when all the men go into town, Lennie and Candy enter the barn. Were gonna go in an see the boss. "They'll take ya to the booby hatch. So it dont mean nothing, see?, Spose you didnt have nobody. Shortly after Lennie killed the puppy, he killed Curleys wife. Segregation was prominent in the 1930s, which meant he could not live, sleep, or eat with the white ranch workers. Crooks to Lennie. In conclusion, Steinbeck is trying to show us that women werent treated fairly either. I been here a long time, he said. A guy goes nuts if he aint got nobody. This is hard to read, butto be fair to Candyhe seems to be "relishing" the fight as a fight, and not just because it involves a crippled black man. I tell ya, I tell ya a guy gets too lonely an he gets sick., A guy sets alone out here at night, maybe readin books or thinkin or stuff like that. When she is in the barn with Lennie she said to him, Whas the matter with me? Strong as a bull. Lennie smiled to himself. Curly just wanted to shoot him in the stomach and make him suffer. That ranch were goin to is right down there about a quarter mile. Hes jes like a kid, aint he. Sure, hes jes like a kid. His language reveals the sexist between Curleys wife and the men on the ranch. After she tells this to Lennie, he tries to tell her that George told him not to talk to her because she was trouble. An have rabbits. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. Her desire to converse is perceived as flirtatious. Of Mice and Men Prejudice and Racism Quotes. I aint sure I want you in here no more. We think it might just be good sense. Since he was never taken to a doctor, his back was permanently crooked, therefore the name crooks. Lennie is mentally handicapped and because of this, the men on the ranch often refer to him as a crazy bastard. If some guy was with me, he could tell me I was asleep, an then it would be all right. We got somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us. real name and given the name Crooks because of his handicap. WebLennie is discriminated against in this way because of how he is misunderstood. 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. We can make maybe a couple of dollars a day there, and we might hit a pocket. Lennie leaned eagerly toward him. This shows just how bad Candy wants to get out of that ranch and that he will do anything to not be lonely. Dont make no difference who the guy is, longs hes with you. 6 | Summary, Analysis & Quotes, Foreshadowing in Of Mice and Men: Examples & Quotes, Slim from Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck | Quotes & Character Qualities, Candy in Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck | Quotes & Personality Traits, Of Mice & Men by John Steinbeck: Ch. "Listen, N*****," she said. I could get along so easy and so nice if I didnt have you on my tail. If he coulda used his feet, Smitty says he woulda killed the n*****. In the 1930s, men were in search for jobs on the ranches and women were generally working inside the house. Lennie asked. I might of knew, he said gently. Entire Document, Discrimination in Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, Crooks: A Black Stable Buck with the American Dream Book Analysis, Of Mice And Men: Alienation & Discrimination, Discrimination in Of Mice and Men Chapter 3 summary, A Major Difference Between the Movie Of Mice and Men and the Book Analysis, Of Mice and Men- How Does Steinbeck Show Loneliness in of Mice and Men. Crooks uses the racial slurs of the white men to describe himself, to show how he is aware of how little he is respected. People discriminated against because of their differences and how they dont fit in. This foreshadows what will eventually happen to Curleys wife. For he knows that if the boss learns of Lennies disability, neither of them will get jobs. He wants the security of knowing that he has somewhere to stay for the rest of his life, and that he will not be discarded. The victims of these types of discrimination are Curleys wife, who is unhappy and bitter about her life, Candy, the old, disabled swamper and Crooks, the black stable buck. 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. This affected the story by making the audience really sad when they killed his dog. "(Steinbeck 24). WebCharacters, settings, and key themes. One can infer from reading the story that she is not looking for attention from another man, she is simply looking for someone to talk to. (4.39). 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.
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