I been here a long time, he said. Lennie has a dead mouse in his pocket because he likes to pet soft things but doesnt know his own strength and accidentally killed the mouse when he pet it too hard. George loses patience with and verbally abuses Lennie for asking the same question over and over again. If he coulda used his feet, Smitty says he woulda killed the n*****. Seems like Curley is cockiern ever since he got married. George grunted. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 2. George loses patience with and verbally abuses Lennie for asking the same question over and over again. Steinbeck shows the realities of the time and the struggle characters face through discrimination. This is shown when Curleys wife shuts him down in a conversation, Listen nigger. This quote clearly shows how Candy knows that he will soon be of no use to anyone, and that because of his age he will not ever be able to get a job anywhere else, and it almost seems like getting show would be a preferable alternative to wandering, like Candy. For he knows that if the boss learns of Lennies disability, neither of them will get jobs. He cant tell. Prejudice is a great time saver. You drink some, George. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 3. Look what I done.. In the novella, Of Mice and Men, the readers are following the life of Lennie and George, who are migrant workers during the Great Depression. Crooks is a knowledgeable and well-read man, but he is not treated with respect. A big guy like you! Lennies lip quivered and tears started in his eyes. She got the eye goin all the time on everybody I dont know what the hell she wants (Steinbeck 51). Lennie was worried after he killed the puppy because he thought George wasnt going to let him tend to the rabbits when they bought the farm. I wasnt doin nothing bad with it, George. I could get you strung up on a tree so easy it aint even funny.. Lennie doesnt understand racial prejudice and why Crooks is not allowed into the bunk house because of segregation. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. Lennie asked. This aint no good place. I could get you strung up on a tree so easy it aint even funny (Steinbeck 81). So you forgot that awready, did you? Some of the most clearly shown examples in John Steinbecks novel Of Mice and Men are gender, age and racial discrimination. Lastly, Lennie is mentally handicap so he discriminated against because of that. In Of Mice and Men, the narrarator implied that "The old man came slowly into the room. Lennie is asking George to drink plenty of water even after George yelled at him for drinking too fast. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 3. He confesses that he accidentally killed his puppy and that George will be mad. Satiday night. Maybe if he sees somethin, he dont know whether its right or not. If he finds out what a crazy bastard you are, we wont get no job, but if he sees ya work before he hears ya talk, were set., O.K., said George. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 4. Theyll take ya to the booby hatch. George also contributes to accusing Curleys wife of being a tart, by stating, In this quotation, George is warning Lennie to stay away from her. He stumbles upon light and sees it is in Crooks' room. George knows that once the men find Lennie, they will make him suffer for what he did; they will not understand Lennie's mental disability. Each of these characters are migrant workers during the Great Depression who are discriminated against in different ways. I tell ya, I tell ya a guy gets too lonely an he gets sick., A guy sets alone out here at night, maybe readin books or thinkin or stuff like that. I gotta tell you again, do I? The two men travel together throughout the Salinas Valley of California to find steady work. In the novella Steinbeck romanticizes and idealizes male friendships. Id leave it all for you. He paused in relish of the memory. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 4. Lennie becomes scared and upset but Crooks face is described as lighted with pleasure in his torture. You take a good big drink. He smiled happily. One can infer from reading the story that she is not looking for attention from another man, she is simply looking for someone to talk to. Terri Beth holds a PhD in English language and literature from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Maybe you just better go along an roll your hoop. I want to wake up and enjoy every sunrise with you and vanish into your hand at the sunset of my life. No one has time to read them all, but its important to go over them at least briefly. Theys gonna be a bad mess about her. Jesus, he said. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 4. Youre a nice guy. Some characters include: Crooks, Curleys wife, and Candy. George repeatedly rants about how his life would be better without Lennie, he might even have a girl. (A THREAD). John Stamos, A world is to be fought for, sung, and built: Love must imagine the world. Lennie cant fathom racial prejudice. Weve already seen he doesnt have a lot of the societal niceties down (like when to pet girls and when not to pet girls), but its actually pretty interesting that Lennie doesnt think of Crooks as being different from himself. America just had protests dealing with Black Lives Matter and African Americans feel they are still discriminated against and treated differently. We see here the kind and considerate side to Lennie and he shows appreciation of his friend George. We're gonna go in an' see the boss. She started to scream, which made Lennie panic. His huge companion dropped his blankets and flung himself down and drank from the surface of the green pool; drank with long gulps, snorting into the water like a horse. Run us out, hell, said George disgustedly. An you aint gonna do no bad things like you done in Weed, neither. Lennie looked puzzled. WebTop Lennie Being Discriminated Quotes. Lennie didnt wanna hurt him but he is just too strong (Steinbeck 64). They dont belong no placeWith us it aint like that. George has taken on the role of father to the simple, childlike Lennie who likes to catch mice and pet them. Crooks is discriminated for "That ranch we're goin' to is right down there about a quarter mile. The characters face discrimination in many different ways including racial, age, gender, and disability. Done pretty good, too. You jus stand there and dont say nothing. They also meet other people that have to overcome their own setbacks. Got a crooked back where a horse kicked him. If we could keep Curley in, we might, But Curleys gonna want to shoot im. Tell about that George. Whynt you do it yourself? When Curley's wife enters and threatens to accuse Crooks of rape, his hope quickly dwindles. As stated in the book, (Steinbeck 28) Candy is one of the many men who have judged her based on what they think they have seen. What you want of a dead mouse, anyways? I could pet it with my thumb while we walked along, said Lennie. Like I done in Weed? Oh, so ya forgot that too, did ya? George often gets angry with Lennie because the physically very strong Lennie cannot control People with a mental disability are often looked down upon in society. For Example Lennie lumbered to his feet and disappeared in the brush. real name and given the name Crooks because of his handicap. The two begin talking, and she tells Lennie that Curley is not a good husband. A guy needs somebody to be near him. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. In the novel Of Mice and Men, author John Steinbeck reflects on the prejudice that even still plagues modern times. Author: Owen Arthur. Give the stable buck hell? he asked. You have a great life.' You know what I can do if you open your trap? There is also Curleys wife who represents discrimination of gender. Discrimination is a major theme in Of Mice and Men. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. Candy and his dog are a symbol of how the old, disabled, or infirmed are not valued in society nor are they wanted. Lenny is discriminated against because he is mentally disabled, Crooks is black, Curley's wife is a woman, and Candy is old. 6. When she is in the barn with Lennie she said to him, Whas the matter with me? Even though slavery has been abolished, African Americans dont have equal rights. She turned on him in 2023 Shmoop University Inc | All Rights Reserved | Privacy | Legal. Now, lookI'll give him the work tickets, but you ain't gonna say a word. Crooks is the only black man working on the ranch. George threatens to lock Lennie up inside a cage. Yes sir. George is like a parental figure to Lennie, who acts like a child playing hide and seek games. But not us. Lennie broke in. She has a Bachelors of Science from Indiana Universitys Kelley School of Business, completed a transition to teaching program in Secondary English Education from Indiana Wesleyan University receiving Indiana state teaching certifications, and has a Masters of Arts in Secondary Education from Ball State University. She doesnt like Curley and doesnt enjoy being married to him. WebLennie is discriminated against in this way because of how he is misunderstood. If some guy was with me, he could tell me I was asleep, an then it would be all right. Youd drink out of a gutter if you was thirsty., Lennie dabbled his big paw in the water and wiggled his fingers so the water arose in little splashes; rings widened across the pool o the other side and came back again. They got no family. It's not true. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. Chapter 2 - George and Lennie arrive at the ranch and are greeted by an older man with only one hand, Candy. Spose you had to sit out here an read books. We dont have to sit in no bar room blowin in our jack jus because we got no place else to go. After he. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 2. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. ", Crooks said darkly, "Guys don't come into a colored man's room very much." He gives the men power over him by being overly careful in what he does and says, because if he gets thrown out from the ranch, no one would take him. Ranch with a bunch of guys on it aint no place for a girl, specially like her., You go on get outta my room. They play cards in there, but I can't play because I'm black. Carlson, another ranch worker, tells Candy he should get rid of his dog because it's old and smells. Crooks on human rights. Lennie asked. He keeps his distance from the others and expects them to do the same. When George and Lennie first arrive at the ranch, they meet Candy, who tells them how Crooks was beaten one Christmas by another worker. Curley is the boss's son who has a chip on his shoulder about being a smaller guy. He would never actually leave him, but his rants about wanting a life of his own symbolize his feelings of isolation. An Crooks been here a long time. She is just lonely, however, she chose to live like that to try to get away from her problems The last example of discrimination is from Crooks. Behind him walked his opposite, a huge man, shapeless of face, with large, pale eyes, with wide, sloping shoulders; and he walked heavily, dragging his feet a little, the way a bear drags his paws. The men at the ranch all believe that she tries to seduce them and then the boss would fire them. You get another mouse thats fresh and Ill let you keep it a little while., Lennie looked sadly up at him. WebTop Lennie Being Discriminated Against Quotes Just remember, someday you might be asking for forgiveness. Below is a summary of each chapter and the racial aspects. Steinbeck shows how easily someone was discriminated against in the 1930s. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 2, George and Candy talk about Crooks. Entire Document, See He is happy when george takes a drink. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 4. Candy, the one handed housekeeper, is only allowed to live at the ranch as a compensation, because the loss of his hand occurred there. (4.39). Lennie watched them go. White, excellently states what the novel, Of Mice and Men, is trying to clearly state. The famous lines written by the Scottish poet is about a mouse who carefully constructs a winter nest in a field of wheat. He loves to hold mice in his big hands and pet them as they travel. That aint no good, George.. In the novella Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, characters endure attempts by society to make them invisible. These include racism, ageism, sexism, and isolation. He would be confined to a psychiatric hospital, where he would suffer cruel and degrading treatments. The final type of discrimination shown in the novel is discrimination against the physically and mentally disabled, in this case, Candy, Lennie, and once again Crooks. 6 | Summary, Analysis & Quotes, Foreshadowing in Of Mice and Men: Examples & Quotes, Slim from Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck | Quotes & Character Qualities, Candy in Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck | Quotes & Personality Traits, Of Mice & Men by John Steinbeck: Ch. Lennie didnt let go of her dress only because the womans screaming frightened him. Curley's wife makes her way into the bunkhouse, and George quickly realizes she could be trouble for Lennie. While Crooks is isolated because he is black, white people like Candy are also alienated from black people. Lennie watched her, fascinated. We can make maybe a couple of dollars a day there, and we might hit a pocket. Lennie leaned eagerly toward him. Shortly after Lennie killed the puppy, he killed Curleys wife. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. He tells them he is the swamper, mopping and sweeping around the bunks and farmhouses. Though Terri Beth loves books and writing of all kinds, her heart lies especially with British Victorian and Modernist literature, as well as the novels of Virginia Woolf, George Eliot, the Bronte sisters, and, to mix things up a bit, Salman Rushdie! Every part of him was defined: small, strong hands, slender arms, a thin and bony nose. Well, I tell you, all of you stink to me.(68) White people have power over him so if he makes any mistake he can be easily cut off and canned. His problem is, he does not know of his own strength and does not know how to control it in certain cases, especially when he is frightened. The story is about two men, Lennie and George, trying to find work in a troubling economic time while also trying to overcome Lennies mental handicap. I aint takin it away jus for meanness. Although we dont actually get a peek into the mind of Lennie Small till the end of the novel, Steinbeck makes it Curley, Curley's wife, Carlson, Candy, and other men use derogatory language when referring to Crooks. An error occurred trying to load this video. The guys said on account of the n*****'s got a crooked back, Smitty can't use his feet." For example, when Curley attacked Lennie, Lennie grabbed onto Curleys hand and held on. Curley is a small man who tends to pick fights with the bigger men to show his strength. You know what I could do? Crooks seemed to grow smaller, and he pressed himself against the wall. Many creatures do not survive Lennies grasp. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 2. | About Us If he hadnt been seen as a vulnerable person then Candy could have stopped them from killing his dog. Carlson says his gun is missing and that Lennie must have it. Candy tells the two men about others living on the ranch, one of whom is a black stable buck named Crooks. Below are some quotes on how Curley's wife is described reflecting the sexist discrimination. Create your account. Even though George cares about Lennie, he expresses how frustrating it is to look after someone so dumb. Yes, maam. Well, you keep your place then, N*****. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. An important additional theme is loneliness and companionship. Whatta ya think I am, a kid? Analyze how the following characters are discriminated against in the novel: - Crooks - Lennie - Curley's Wife 2. Intolerance is many forms in the book, such as Crooks being beaten up at the Christmas party due to his skin color or Crooks being separated as if he has the plague unlike now which it is not socially acceptable we celebrate this form of equality with things like February being Black History Month. Curleys still mad about his hand. He is disrupted first by Lennie and then Candy and doesn't want to let them in because he believes their prejudice will contaminate his space. Prejudice creates barriers for people with different backgrounds, which makes it harder for people to communicate with each other. Candy interrupts their conversation and hesitates to go into Crooks' room even after being invited in. George said brusquely, Well he aint now. If he aint, I guess I better look someplace else, she said playfully. An he aint no good to himself. Candy also plays a big part in the book; when he speaks you would consider him the narrator, this is because he is the source were George and Lennie are getting information about the ranch; The swamper warmed to his gossip for that reason he is the gossiper. Howd you like that? Lennie cant fathom racial prejudice. Her desire to converse is perceived as flirtatious. These authors also demonstrate various kinds of prejudice can make it difficult for many to achieve the American Dream. I never knew till long later why he didnt like that. Throughout the novel, these three characters face many hardships because they are harshly judged and often misunderstood. George is already concerned that Curley's wife will be an issue. Marguerite Gardiner once stated Prejudices are the chains forged by ignorance to keep men apart (Gardiner). But I jus dont know., Candy leaned against the wall beside the broken collar while he scratched his wrist stump. Lennie explains to George about the killing of the mice. They play cards in there, but I cant play because Im black. Well, I aint gonna remind ya, fear ya do it again. A light of understanding broke on Lennies face. To add on to this, Candy is also fairly isolated whether from his age or not it causes him to be an outcast, this is seen when he talks with George, "I gotta think about. | 2 JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. A colored man got to have some rights even if he dont like em. That wouldnt have made the audience sad. Discrimination if often based on many qualities and abilities. In the 1930s, men were in search for jobs on the ranches and women were generally working inside the house. I mean you pull the curtain away, and you see I'm just as insecure and neurotic and scared and vulnerable as anybody, you know. They are also introduced to Curley, the boss's son and Curley's wife. Many people just misunderstand Lennie and judge him right away. We got a future. Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you Each one of these characters experience discrimination in the book and it can be related to our lives today. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. WebBy saying this, Lennie is referring to George as his guardian. We might, he said. A guy goes nuts if he aint got nobody. The white kids come to play at our place, an sometimes I went to play with them, and some of them was pretty nice. In, Almost all the characters symbolize a certain type of discrimination but the strongest characters that portray discrimination in society is Candy and Candys dog, Crooks, and Curleys wife. This novel, written by John Steinbeck, reflects many flaws in the world today. He got nothing to measure by. He pulled his hat down a little more over his eyes, the way Georges hat was. Couldn we maybe bring him in an theyll lock him up? Almost all of the characters who, in. Crooks lives in the barn away from the rest of the ranch workers and sleeps in a makeshift shed on a bed of straw under a window, with a pile of manure outside. How I get to tend the rabbits., Lennie if you jus happen to get in trouble like you always done before, I want you to come right here an hide in the brushHide in the brush till I come for you.. The three men agree to purchase the place together, hoping for a better life. The novel titled, Of Mice and Men, written by John Steinbeck, derives from the poem, To a Mouse, written by Robert Burns in the 18th century. Segregation was used throughout the country as a racial divide, which is why Crooks lives alone in the barn. When they can me here I wisht somebodyd shoot me. You have girls. He reassures him of their special relationship and that they will look after each other no matter what happens. The first man was small and quick, dark of face, with restless eyes and sharp, strong features. If he pinches their heads, they'll survive. Lennie interrupts their conversation as he comes in from the barn; Slim has given Lennie one of his puppies. Nice fella tooThe boss gives him hell when hes mad. Standin here talkin to a bunch of bindle stiffs a n***** an a dum-dum and a lousy ol sheep an likin it because they aint nobody else., Candys face had grown redder and redder, but before she was done speaking, he had control of himself. George threatens Lennie, his mentally disabled friend. If we can get jus a few dollars in the poke well shove off and go up the American River and pan gold. Although the 1930s seems pretty far back, discrimination still occurs in society today and can either be intentional or nonintentional. Though a big man, Lennie is like a child. And Crooks said, Sure. As the story progresses, a theme of isolation, discrimination, and loneliness on Candy, Lennie, and Crooks is revealed. Candy is a worker on the farm who is both old and disabled, missing a hand and acknowledges his disadvantage by saying, I aint good with ony one handtheyll can me purty soon. Nice fella too. Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. Jesus Christ, youre a crazy bastard! I forgot, Lennie said softly. Candy was seen as old and disabled and not capable of performing certain jobs. "Cause Im black" (4.10-11). I dont care what she says and what she does. For he knows that if the boss learns of Lennies disability, neither of them will get jobs. Lonely and flirtatious, she is discriminated against by the men, who are contemptuous of her and wont engage in conversation with her for fear of being fired.