Marxist Theory Applied to Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck The struggle between socio-economical classes is what pushes the future forward. Classism proves that discrimination between the oppressed and the oppressing causes division of people. Karl Marx developed a theory that explained these situations, the Marxist theory. This theory can be applied to nearly every point in history and to every culture. Through a Marxist lens everything can be explained including the discrimination between classes of all types of people. The novel Of Mice and Men shows multiple examples of this theory throughout the story. The novel works with two men that are trying to make their way in the world. Along the way they meet a lot of people that are restricted
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Marxist theory also explains how gender plays a role is success. Throughout history females have been seen as a minority and it took a long time for females to get respect. But in the novel women are still seen as second to men. There is only one speaking female character and she is not even given a name. She is just referred to as Curley’s wife; this shows the oppression of women in this time period. “I’m glad you bust up Curley a little bit. He got it coming to him. Sometimes id like to bust him myself.” In this point in the story Curley’s wife is discussing with Lennie the fight he had with her husband. (Steinbeck 81). She explains how she wishes she can do the same and it is clear she is trapped in an abusive relationship. Curley’s wife has also been robbed of her future. Women during the great depression were pressured to become housewives to help raise a family. Curley’s wife’s dreams had to be put aside; “I tell you I ain 't used to livin ' like this. I coulda made somethin ' of myself.” (Steinbeck 88). This quotes signifies how if it were not for her being in a confining marriage she could have done so much more. She had big plans for her life, she wanted to be a Hollywood star but now she is stuck being a housewife. Curley’s wife also experiences a lot of naming calling, George and the other workers do not treat her as a person but as an …show more content…
Marxist theory applies to the ranch’s owner and his son and how he requests dominance over their workers. Curley’s wife and Crooks both do not get respect because of their gender and race. Lennie’s disabilities also are cause for people’s ignorance towards him. So a Marxist theory clearly is evident throughout the entirely of the novel. Karl Marx’s theory explains how classicism due to discrimination is clearly seen in every character in the novel. Socio-economical status causes people to be identified in to different classes and therefore creates conflict between them. But without this, history would not be driven because if there was not a goal to reach all work ethic of people will be
Marxist theory also explains how gender plays a role is success. Throughout history females have been seen as a minority and it took a long time for females to get respect. But in the novel women are still seen as second to men. There is only one speaking female character and she is not even given a name. She is just referred to as Curley’s wife; this shows the oppression of women in this time period. “I’m glad you bust up Curley a little bit. He got it coming to him. Sometimes id like to bust him myself.” In this point in the story Curley’s wife is discussing with Lennie the fight he had with her husband. (Steinbeck 81). She explains how she wishes she can do the same and it is clear she is trapped in an abusive relationship. Curley’s wife has also been robbed of her future. Women during the great depression were pressured to become housewives to help raise a family. Curley’s wife’s dreams had to be put aside; “I tell you I ain 't used to livin ' like this. I coulda made somethin ' of myself.” (Steinbeck 88). This quotes signifies how if it were not for her being in a confining marriage she could have done so much more. She had big plans for her life, she wanted to be a Hollywood star but now she is stuck being a housewife. Curley’s wife also experiences a lot of naming calling, George and the other workers do not treat her as a person but as an …show more content…
Marxist theory applies to the ranch’s owner and his son and how he requests dominance over their workers. Curley’s wife and Crooks both do not get respect because of their gender and race. Lennie’s disabilities also are cause for people’s ignorance towards him. So a Marxist theory clearly is evident throughout the entirely of the novel. Karl Marx’s theory explains how classicism due to discrimination is clearly seen in every character in the novel. Socio-economical status causes people to be identified in to different classes and therefore creates conflict between them. But without this, history would not be driven because if there was not a goal to reach all work ethic of people will be