Mice And Men Discrimination

The novella, Of Mice and Men wrote by John Steinbeck, was first published in 1937. This novella is about two men who are travelling around California in search of a job during the Great Depression, in the United States. George Milton and Lennie Small are ranch workers who travel together. The novella ends tragically, as Lennie 's intellectual disability causes George to take up Lennie 's life. To a large extent, the novella 's ending is inevitable. In order for Steinbeck to convey his message that, The American Dream is an impossible visionary of the future, discrimination can lead to inhumane behaviours and that, people with mental or physical disability can be marginalised from the society, and, therefore, the novella must end in a tragic …show more content…
People create artificial barriers between people regarding their race, culture, religion, family backgrounds and capabilities. These barriers create discrimination and exclusions. There is only one thing that is much worse than being a woman on a ranch, and that is being a black man. Steinbeck 's message is evident when Lennie wondered off into Crooks ' room, "... You go on and get outta my room. I ain 't wanted in the bunkhouse, and you ain 't wanted in my room." This is relevant to the idea that discrimination can lead people into developing inhumane behaviours. Crook is not allowed in the bunkhouse because he is black and men staying at the bunkhouse are all white. Men on the ranch all avoid and exclude him as his race is different to theirs. The artificial barrier which is built between Crooks and the men on the ranch leads them to treat Crooks inhumanely. " Why ain 't you wanted?, because I 'm black." Crooks is only allowed in the bunkhouse during Christmas Day otherwise, he sits in his shed reading alone. He is treated very badly and scolded at, but Crooks just have to take everything in and is not allowed to speak up for himself. This is evident when Curley 's wife shows her authority and scolds Crooks, " Listen, Nigger, ... You know what I can do to you if you open your trap." Crooks was not able to help himself, instead, he stared helplessly at Curleys ' wife and drew into himself. This relates to the message that discrimination can lead to inhumane behaviour. Crooks wanted to speak up for himself but he is afraid, as white people on the ranch had authority over him. This demonstrates that discrimination can lure people into inhumane behaviour and is emphasised by the ending, with Lennie 's death which is a result of such