The novel, Of Mice and Men, written by John Steinbeck is a potent piece of literature despite its short 107 page length. This book tells the truth of early 20th century history while instilling crucial life lessons in the reader. Some of these teachings include: racial discrimination, sexism, segregation, and prejudice. During the course of the story, George cares for the mentally disabled Lennie as they travel throughout California in search of work and fulfilling their American Dream. In the end George must make a life changing decision that affects everyone. Throughout this text all the characters are faced with decisions they would otherwise not want to make. One of the main things Steinbeck focuses on is the characterization of the people
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person, and person vs. society. These aspects all successfully advance the theme throughout the novel Of Mice and Men. When Curley’s wife and Lennie are in the barn talking, she expresses her feelings about her husband and what she could have done if she followed through with her American Dream. She exclaims, “‘I get lonely’[...] ‘you can talk to people, but I can't talk to nobody but Curley, else he gets mad. How’d you like not to talk to nobody’” (Steinbeck 87). This internal struggle that Curley's wife faces, reveals how because of her gender, she is considered her husband's property, and isn't allowed to fraternize with anyone but her husband or she'll get in trouble. Additionally, Curley's wife, in the novel, does not get recognized by her name, she is thought as “Curley's wife”, this just shows how she is thought to “belong” to her husband. Overall, this reveals how when a person is discriminated against they become lonely, similar to how Curley’s wife felt stranded in her own little world. With this use of person vs. self conflict, the novel proceeds to divulge the plot and theme. Thereafter, the characters Lennie and George talk about how they are bindlestiffs so they have no one and continue to feel lonesome. As this is happening George declares, “‘Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world’[...] ‘They don't belong no place’” (Steinbeck 13). This quote shows that because Lennie and George are migrant workers also known as bindlestiffs, society perceives them as less important and they don't associate with them. This leads bindlestiffs that don't have a constant place to live at to be lonely. This is presented through person vs. society in Of Mice and Men. Overall, the use of conflicts throughout the novel develop the theme that discrimination leads to
person, and person vs. society. These aspects all successfully advance the theme throughout the novel Of Mice and Men. When Curley’s wife and Lennie are in the barn talking, she expresses her feelings about her husband and what she could have done if she followed through with her American Dream. She exclaims, “‘I get lonely’[...] ‘you can talk to people, but I can't talk to nobody but Curley, else he gets mad. How’d you like not to talk to nobody’” (Steinbeck 87). This internal struggle that Curley's wife faces, reveals how because of her gender, she is considered her husband's property, and isn't allowed to fraternize with anyone but her husband or she'll get in trouble. Additionally, Curley's wife, in the novel, does not get recognized by her name, she is thought as “Curley's wife”, this just shows how she is thought to “belong” to her husband. Overall, this reveals how when a person is discriminated against they become lonely, similar to how Curley’s wife felt stranded in her own little world. With this use of person vs. self conflict, the novel proceeds to divulge the plot and theme. Thereafter, the characters Lennie and George talk about how they are bindlestiffs so they have no one and continue to feel lonesome. As this is happening George declares, “‘Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world’[...] ‘They don't belong no place’” (Steinbeck 13). This quote shows that because Lennie and George are migrant workers also known as bindlestiffs, society perceives them as less important and they don't associate with them. This leads bindlestiffs that don't have a constant place to live at to be lonely. This is presented through person vs. society in Of Mice and Men. Overall, the use of conflicts throughout the novel develop the theme that discrimination leads to