The Great Depression: when taken literally, it appears to be referring to a terrible, widespread sadness. In a twisted way, its name actually does reflect the general mood of the people at this time, for it was a period of extreme economic downturn from 1929-1939. Families were left homeless and penniless, moving hundreds of miles in search of better opportunities.Young migrant workers wished for as much cold, hard cash as they could possibly earn in the hopes of being independent and self-sufficient. Society had a set of terms and conditions for people, and those that did not fit into these were ridiculed and looked down upon. An observer by the name of John Steinbeck wished to bring about reform in this cruel world through his historical-fiction
…show more content…
Social norms dictated that migrant workers were expected to be hard-working and self-sufficient. This is apparent through George and Lennie’s desire to have a farm to themselves where they can live off of the crops and livestock they raise; “ ‘O.K. Someday- we’re gonna get the jack together and we’re gonna have a little house and a couple of acres an’ a cow and some pigs and-’ ‘An’ live off the fatta the lan’,’ Lennie shouted” (Steinbeck 14). Independence and freedom have always been greatly valued in the U.S., especially during a time of difficulty like this, so owning a farm is seen as the greatest achievement one possibly earn in life. While men may have been pressured to hold up to such high standards and expectations, women dealt with a far greater issue: misogyny. In patriarchal societies like these, women are seen as worthless and repeatedly slut-shamed. Men were seen as the superior beings, which allowed them to exert their power over the females present in their lives. Take Curley’s wife as an example. She remains unnamed throughout the entire novelette, showing that she was viewed as an insignificant being on the ranch. She is repeatedly called derogatory terms like “tart” and “looloo” simply because she talks to men in search of company. She justifies her actions to Lennie, “ ‘I get lonely,’ she said. ‘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). She has felt trapped by these double standards and simply seeks comfort, but she is judged for doing so. Is tis not hypocrisy? She is nearly powerless, except over one individual: Crooks, the one who falls victim to racism daily. Crooks is a black worker who stays in a separate room near the smelly horse stables. He is not allowed in the rooms of his
Social norms dictated that migrant workers were expected to be hard-working and self-sufficient. This is apparent through George and Lennie’s desire to have a farm to themselves where they can live off of the crops and livestock they raise; “ ‘O.K. Someday- we’re gonna get the jack together and we’re gonna have a little house and a couple of acres an’ a cow and some pigs and-’ ‘An’ live off the fatta the lan’,’ Lennie shouted” (Steinbeck 14). Independence and freedom have always been greatly valued in the U.S., especially during a time of difficulty like this, so owning a farm is seen as the greatest achievement one possibly earn in life. While men may have been pressured to hold up to such high standards and expectations, women dealt with a far greater issue: misogyny. In patriarchal societies like these, women are seen as worthless and repeatedly slut-shamed. Men were seen as the superior beings, which allowed them to exert their power over the females present in their lives. Take Curley’s wife as an example. She remains unnamed throughout the entire novelette, showing that she was viewed as an insignificant being on the ranch. She is repeatedly called derogatory terms like “tart” and “looloo” simply because she talks to men in search of company. She justifies her actions to Lennie, “ ‘I get lonely,’ she said. ‘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). She has felt trapped by these double standards and simply seeks comfort, but she is judged for doing so. Is tis not hypocrisy? She is nearly powerless, except over one individual: Crooks, the one who falls victim to racism daily. Crooks is a black worker who stays in a separate room near the smelly horse stables. He is not allowed in the rooms of his