Cadence Lee
Kasey Lutrell
English 11:B
5 February 2018
Literary Analysis: A World of Pure Discrimination
Set in the 1930s, the classic novella Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck follows the actions of two men, George Milton and Lennie Smalls, as they yearn for and work toward their American Dream. They meet many characters that have been unable to achieve this dream for various reasons. Candy, a poor, old, one-handed swamper gives the two men hope, when he offers to pay a large portion of the cost for their dream farm in return for a job. Steinbeck crafts Candy’s character to develop the realities of discrimination for physical disabilities, old age, poor financial status, and low social standing; he uses these traits to establish how people …show more content…
The author’s direct comment of Candy being old, establishes that he is only identified by his age and not even his qualities. Steinbeck does not even identify Candy’s name until 18 pages after he is introduced, and it occurs through one character speaking of Candy’s dog when he uses his name, not even referring to Candy himself. This dog of his was an old, stinky, and weak (handicapped) dog that drove the other men insane with his smell and lack of usefulness. The other men shot and killed the dog to get him out of the way and relieve the burden it held on itself and Candy. To them, the dog was just taking up space. This reflects how the weak and elderly, like Candy and his dog, could easily be disposed of without a second thought. Even Candy, the only man who cared about the dog, refused to say anything to stop them until after the dog was dead. He does not bring it up until George talks about his dream farm with Lennie, and Candy mentions how he would like to join them as he will not last long on the current farm. “‘You seen what they done to my dog tonight? They say he wasn’t no good to himself nor nobody else. When they can me here, I wisht
Kasey Lutrell
English 11:B
5 February 2018
Literary Analysis: A World of Pure Discrimination
Set in the 1930s, the classic novella Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck follows the actions of two men, George Milton and Lennie Smalls, as they yearn for and work toward their American Dream. They meet many characters that have been unable to achieve this dream for various reasons. Candy, a poor, old, one-handed swamper gives the two men hope, when he offers to pay a large portion of the cost for their dream farm in return for a job. Steinbeck crafts Candy’s character to develop the realities of discrimination for physical disabilities, old age, poor financial status, and low social standing; he uses these traits to establish how people …show more content…
The author’s direct comment of Candy being old, establishes that he is only identified by his age and not even his qualities. Steinbeck does not even identify Candy’s name until 18 pages after he is introduced, and it occurs through one character speaking of Candy’s dog when he uses his name, not even referring to Candy himself. This dog of his was an old, stinky, and weak (handicapped) dog that drove the other men insane with his smell and lack of usefulness. The other men shot and killed the dog to get him out of the way and relieve the burden it held on itself and Candy. To them, the dog was just taking up space. This reflects how the weak and elderly, like Candy and his dog, could easily be disposed of without a second thought. Even Candy, the only man who cared about the dog, refused to say anything to stop them until after the dog was dead. He does not bring it up until George talks about his dream farm with Lennie, and Candy mentions how he would like to join them as he will not last long on the current farm. “‘You seen what they done to my dog tonight? They say he wasn’t no good to himself nor nobody else. When they can me here, I wisht