Reading Response – Of Mice and Men

 

 

Xander LeBlanc

English 11

Ms. Hanson

December 18th, 2017

Of Mice and Men

     In the novella Of Mice and Men, written by John Steinbeck, he tells the tale of two work hungry men, George and Lennie. Due to Lennie’s slowness, George struggles to keep him in check and often leads them to trouble. With one goal in mind, the American Dream, the both of them stay motivated even through the hardest times. In chapters three and four Steinbeck demonstrates discrimination towards Lennie, Candy, and Crooks by leaving them behind while everyone else heads to town for a day trip. Discrimination was shown all throughout the book, but it wasn’t until chapters three and four that you could see the effects it had on some characters. The author shows that being discriminated can make feel lonely but can easily make you open your arms to others in your position.

     When the rest of the crew went to town there were three left behind due to various circumstances. Lennie because of his slowness, Candy because he’s too old, and Crooks because he’s a negro. During the time the book was written, negros or anyone with any sort of problem mentally or physically was basically seen as just an object or useless. At one point in history, they tried to abolish them all. In the book, Curley’s wife walked into crooks room while Crooks, Candy, and Lennie we’re talking and said, “They left all the weak ones here” (Steinbeck 77). She basically mocked them for all their differences and because they got left behind. Although she was a woman, and back then they treated women poorly, she still held more power than them which is why she was able to say that. That was the author’s way of showing how the population back then treated the “weak” ones.

     At the start of the chapter Lennie tries to go into Crook’s room but he’s not having it. Later he learns that Lennie was also left behind and then he becomes a little more welcoming, “ don’t come in a place where you’re not wanted,” later he follows up by saying, “Come on in and set a while,” (Steinbeck 69). Crooks has never let anyone in his room but the boss, but he let Lennie in because he felt included with the people that we’re not being included as well. He has always been a step down on the scale of power, but to finally be on the same spectrum felt connected with Lennie. Later on, that chapter Candy comes in as well for a bit, they all talked about the farm in the American Dream until the rest of the crew came back from town. The conversation ended quickly when George kicked Lennie out of Crooks room. Steinbeck was showing how loneliness due to discrimination brought Crooks, Lennie, Candy together because they felt all on the same level.

     Lennie is one character heavily discriminated. He is constantly being singled out by the other workers at the ranch. He’s only known for his size, ability to work, and slowness. “He ain’t bright. Hell of a good worker, though. Hell of a nice fella, but he ain’t bright,” (Steinbeck 34). If it wasn’t for George, Lennie would be nothing to anyone else. Lennie is continually isolated throughout the book for what people see him as, “Maybe he ain’t bright, but I never seen such a worker,” (Steinbeck 39). Sometimes Lennie gets so lonely he doesn’t have anyone to be with so I think that is why he always loves holding the mouses, the puppies, and also that why he always talked about tending the rabbits. Those were the things that made Lennie feel connected with something. “I jus’ wanted to pet um’ a little,” (Steinbeck 43). The dogs symbolized a companionship for Lennie, it was a friend for Lennie when he was alone.

     In conclusion, this is one way of Steinbeck showing how the disabled, negros, or elders were portrayed as years ago by society. He’s also demonstrating that loneliness can sometimes lead to friendship or meaningful connections. Lastly, what if the way they treated minorities was still something practice in today’s day and age, how would things be different?