Prejudice In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

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John Steinbeck’s novel, Of Mice and Men, shows the harmful effects of prejudice. Set on the California ranch during the Great Depression, the novel depicts characters who are discriminated against because of features that set them apart from other ranch workers. In particular, Crooks, Candy, and Curley’s wife are negatively affected by prejudice. First, Crooks, a negro stable buck, is a lonesome man who is isolated from others because of racist views. For example, when Crooks is unexpectedly visited by Lennie, he angrily rants at him, “they play cards in there, but I can’t play because I’m black. They say I stink” (68). Crooks is purposely excluded from everyday activities--including cards--because he is black. He is not allowed to participate …show more content…

In particular, during Whit and George’s conversation about Curley’s wife, George assumes that “she’s gonna make a mess . . . [and that] she’s a jailbait all set on the trigger” (51). After a brief conversation, George makes her out to be a troublemaker for speaking to other men. As the only female on the camp and the wife of the boss’s son, she is plagued by sexist comments such as “tart.” Every man on the ranch steers clear of her in fear that she will cause trouble for them. They believe she is someone who is no good because of the way she constantly finds reasons to speak to the men on the ranch. Contrary to what they believe, she only chats with them as a way for her to satisfy her need for company. Unfortunately, the ranchmen shun her everytime she comes near them which is a root source of why she is lonely. It also does not help that her husband has no care for her feelings and consistently makes trips to cathouses. This results in her being willing to talk to anyone who gives her attention, including “the weak ones” of the ranch. Furthermore, when Candy questions her commitment towards her husband, she bursts out into a wave of anger crying out that she does not want to be trapped in her house all the time. Obviously, Curley’s wife is deeply hurt by the the treatment she receives from the men who presume her to be a

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