Social Injustice In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

During the Great Depression, almost every person you can imagine was affected in some way by the food, work, and opportunity decline. Along with that, discrimination played a major game changer for many races, religions, and genders during that time as well. In John Steinbeck's novel Of Mice and Men, single characterization, unfair actions, and discrimination is used to show the effect on Social Injustice.

Crook’s characteristics go hand in hand with the portrayal of Social Injustice relating back to the fear of loneliness. He continuously faces countless hardships mainly because of the way the workers of the ranch treat him, unethically and selfishly. For example Crook's stated, "A man will go insane without anyone, without companionship; …show more content…
As one may notice through the reading, Lennie is known to be an overall awkward person with relationship and social companionship issues. George stated at the beginning of their new jobs, "He sure ain’t bright but he’s a good worker, will do anything you ask" (Steinbeck 28). As a result, the workers of the ranch automatically begin to lose respect for Lennie, thinking of him as more of a child rather than a man. Now, he has generally been forgetful with almost anything and everything, causing George’s responsibilities for him to be additionally difficult. George frantically said to Lennie, “Remember this spot Lennie, if anything happens…come back to this spot” (Steinbeck 19). As the quote exhibited, Lennie is completely and utterly irresponsible, creating massive hiccups in their future plans all because he does not know his own strength. Along with that, George in fact is use to his subdued adolescent behavior, but for some they may be taken aback by how dimwitted Lennie can truly be. Lennie attempted to fool George by saying, “I don’t have the puppy, George, I don’t have it” (Steinbeck 46). This quote demonstrates how Lennie immaturely will lie to George occasionally when he doesn’t get what he wants, creating a huge epidemic that will play a large role in the book later on. It is crucial to know that Lennie indeed does have a mental disability, but the way …show more content…
Overall, Curley's wife feels more alone than anything; but being constantly denied of affection by your own husband will do that sort of thing. She complains to George, "I just want someone to talk to that's all, Curley never listens to me anyways" (Steinbeck 83). This quote points out how she cannot seem to find happiness on her own, in fact she attempts to woo other men with the same exact story each time. A word could be used to describe her, in which known as desperate. George explained to Lennie, "You stay away from her, Lennie, nothing but trouble she is" (Steinbeck 23). As a result, most of the men seem to pity her almost, knowing better than to mess with the woman that could very well be a negative aspect in their future. This continues in a way where she is unable to make new companions because of the lack of respect the workers of the ranch have for her, sort of relating to Lennie's situation as well. She had mourned to Lennie, "You are the nicest one of them all, none of them even care about me" (Steinbeck 91) . In this quotation, Curley's wife pleads with Lennie by her side, crying almost, causing him of course to feel sympathy for her. Her lack of ability to be independent stretches throughout most of the novel, growing at best towards the end, conceiving her worst