Social Injustice In Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

Charles Darwin’s physical evolution theories have applied to humans for thousands of years. Branched off of this belief, Hebert Spenser formulated theories about social natural selection in human societies that correspond with the physical survival of the fittest. When people have physical disadvantages, the way they are treated is altered and their chances of surviving in their societies lessen. In his novel Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck uses the characters of Candy, Crooks, and Curley’s wife to demonstrate that individuals are often victims of social injustice due to their age, gender, or race.
For instance, Steinbeck uses the character of Candy to demonstrate that individuals are often victims of social injustice because of their age. Particularly, when Candy is conversing with George on the ranch, Candy expresses, “They’ll can me purty soon. Jus’ as soon as I can’t swamp out no bunkhouses they’ll put me on the county… I won’t have no place to go, an’ I can’t get no more jobs” (60). Due to Candy’s old age and the physical disabilities that his age brings, he anticipates his being fired by the people he already works for. He also believes that he will be rejected by ranch bosses that he has not yet encountered. Furthermore, if Candy is left without an occupation or a ranch to live on, he cannot …show more content…
Notably, Candy lacks the job and housing opportunities that are necessary for his survival because of his old age. Subsequently, because of his race, Crooks is looked down upon by society and is not treated fairly by other individuals. Similarly, Curley’s wife is immediately judged by those she meets because she is a woman. Although people cannot control their physical disadvantages, they can only survive their surroundings when all people are treated