Essay On The Book Of Mice And Men

636 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Critique of mice and men

According to the American Association John Steinbeck's novel, Of Mice and Men, is one of the top 10 most challenged books in school during the 1990's. The novel focuses on two migrant workers, George and Lennie, who work, dream, and endure the difficulties of being human. As the novel ends the hopes, dreams, and happiness of George and Lennie are crushed beyond the condition in defeat. This novel paints a horrific portrait of the human experience through profanity, inappropriate language, racism, sexism, adult content and murder. John Steinbeck's novel, Of Mice and Men, should be a banned book. The novel Of Mice and Men should be banned because it contains racial insults and the book shows us that the people are harassing Crook just because of his color. For example when Lennie is in Crook's room he asked why he wasn't wanted in the bunkhouse and he says "...because I'm black. They play cards in there but I can't play because I'm black. They said I stink" (68). This quote shows that Crooks isn't allowed to hang out with the other men in the bunkhouse or allowed to do things with them just because he is black. Also when Curley's wife goes in Crook's room they started arguing and Crook says "You got no right coming in a colored man's room, you got no rights messing around in here at all. Now you just get out... listen nigger, you know what I can do to you if you open your trap?" (80) This quote shows us even though Crooks didn't say anything bad or insulted anyone she is technically saying that she could get him killed in an instant. The second reason why I think that the book should be banned is because it is filled with sexism. There is only one woman and the men think that she is weak, helpless, or were put here for a r... ... middle of paper ... ... they are going to kill Lennie he went to get Carlson's gun. When they were at the river, he tells Lennie to look down across the river and picture you can see the place. Then they said "Got him, by God ... right in the back of the head" (107). This quote shows that even though George loved him as a brother he shot Lennie in the back of the head to save him from a more painful death from Curley, this is still considered murder because it wasn't Georges responsibility to kill him. I believe that John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men should be banned because throughout the novel there are offensive and vulgar language, profanity, racism, sexism, loose word of "nigger" and the treatment to the mentally retarded. This is why it should be banned because this probably isn't suited for the young people like Junior High or lower, but probably is okay to read for High School.

Show More
Related

  • Comparing The Banning Of John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

    951 Words  | 2 Pages

    Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck shouldn’t be banned and should be allowed to be read in classrooms that are 8th grade and above. Of Mice and Men is a superb example of what the youth of America should stray away from in the future, so no future generations will have to live like the characters George and Lennie do. Of Mice and Men hooks the reader at every turn and the reader also can learn from it. Although some disagree and believe it should be banned, there are many reasons why it shouldn't be. Of Mice and Men demonstrates the language that many Americans use, the history is realistic and accurate, and it displays the effects of peer pressure.

    Read More

  • Book Report On Of Mice And Men

    1027 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the beginning of the story, two men named George Milton and Lennie Small are trying to make their way to a small ranch in Salinas Valley, California. George is the leader of their two man tribe, despite Lennie’s intimidating size. George is filled with determination and confidence while Lennie is a simple man with a big heart.

    Read More

  • Should Huck Finn Be Banned

    636 Words  | 2 Pages

    To delve into a topic as serious as book censorship, one must first determine the purpose of reading, of literature in general. Blahblahblah (what Ms Buckingham said). Mark Twain’s novel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, has sparked much controversy since its publication in 1884 due to countless racial slurs and stereotypes; in fact it is the most commonly banned book in American history (source). While many argue that The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn should be banned, the literary merit, namely the realistic setting and characterization, outweighs the vulgarity and crude language. Twain’s satirical social commentary provides a moral exploration of racism and a vignette-style plot of contrast between the shore and the land and between Huck Finn and his partner-in-crime, Tom Sawyer.

    Read More

  • Huckleberry Finn in High Schools

    895 Words  | 2 Pages

    High Schools in the United States should not ban The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. This book is one of the most important components of American literature in our libraries today, it throws the reader into a time when slavery was lawful and accepted, and gives the reader a new perspective on slavery in general. Until civil rights groups can come up with a better argument than the word “nigger” creating a “hostile work environment”(Zwick) it should not be taken off the required reading list of any High School in the country.

    Read More

  • Archetypes In Of Mice And Men

    709 Words  | 2 Pages

    Through the ages, archetypes have constantly shown up in all forms of literature. One specific classic, the quest, is most notably known from many literature novels. The character Lennie in the novel Of Mice and Men demonstrates the archetype of the quest by facing trying challenges, and the goal of a peaceful life.

    Read More

  • Why The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Should Not Be Banned

    693 Words  | 2 Pages

    Huckleberry Finn should not be banned or sanitized because it is a part of American history whether it is good or bad, also we have no right to change someone's writing simply because we do not like how it is written, Mark Twain's writing should not be penalized because of the ideals of today. If you find the book offensive, don't read it or buy it. There are countless amounts of offensive books that people find no interest in, however that does not mean we change them or rewrite them.

    Read More

  • Of Mice and Men - 4th chapter

    716 Words  | 2 Pages

    This passage comes from the fourth chapter in Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck. George and the other workers are “gone into town” (69). Lennie, Crooks and Candy are the only men remaining on the ranch. This excerpt characterizes Crooks and promotes the themes of loneliness and dreams. In addition, this passage characterizes Lennie and reinforces the theme of companionship.

    Read More

  • Should The Great Gatsby Be Banned

    1103 Words  | 3 Pages

    With the thought that someone can be hurt by reading a book, people will try to challenge and ban them. To ban a book is to have it restricted from a certain age or audience. Banning and challenging books is trying to keep a certain book away from an audience due to sexual content, going against religious beliefs, language and vulgarity, violence, drugs, self-harm, racism, occult/satanic views, promoting gangs, and going against community standards. An argument from someone who believes books should not be banned is that it is important for the age group to learn about certain content and material as they grow up. Due to controversial content, the novel The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald should be banned.

    Read More

  • To Kill A Mockingbird Should Be Banned In Schools Essay

    604 Words  | 2 Pages

    Why should this novel be banned from use in schools? Students should be able to hear these words and talk about them and not use them offensively. Racial content, tension, and slurs are used in people’s everyday lives. If people can use these words outside of school why would they not be allowed to be talked about in school? It is important for everyone to be informed about these racial tensions. This book also shows the reader what is was like to be growing up in this time period. Although this book uses the n-word, it uses it in a historical way. Using these racist words explains the way of thinking of the south in the 1930s. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee is appropriate to use and read in school.

    Read More

  • What are Banned Books? Fahrenheit 451

    925 Words  | 2 Pages

    Many books have been questioned and challenged. Even as far as to banning them. But what exactly is a banned book and why are they banned? A banned book is a book that has been censored by an authority, a government body, a library, or a even school system. A book that has been banned is actually removed from a library or school system. The actual contextual reasons as to banning them is use of explicit violence, gore, sexuality, explicit language, religion, or dark times in history. On the non-contextual side of the reason why they are banned books are usually because with the best intentions to protect people, frequently children, from difficult philosophies and information. Teachers, or even more common adults, often censor books from children if they feel that the books have maniacal or controversial ideas in them. In some scenarios, those who are censoring books think that a book might be appropriate for a certain, or several groups in society. A book that might be perfectly fine for a ninth grader might easily be horrendous or confusing to a fourth grader. Thus having them exposed and influenced to thinking a certain way and act upon what they have just read. Well at least that’s what people think is going to happen anyways. But honestly, reading books of any genre gives us knowledge, entertainment, and imagination so therefore no books or novels should be banned and is ultimately dependent on the reader’s choice.

    Read More

  • An Age of Ignorance: Obstructing Children from Essential Knowledge

    1301 Words  | 3 Pages

    Maya Angelou’s I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings is oftentimes banned for depicting rape, as well as being “anti-white.” John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men is discriminated against for containing too much profanity. The anonymously-written Go Ask Alice has been shunned for portraying drug use, sexual situations, and profanity. (Kelly) Other than being banned, though, these books all have something more in common; they are classic works that have timeless, moralistic value. They each tell a message. Their messages couldn’t possibly be conveyed in their original, meaningful essences if the contents of the books were to be altered or removed from society all together. Therefore, children and adults alike would miss out on countless opportunities to expand their enlightenment.

    Read More

  • Of Mice And Men: Comparing The Movie And The Book

    418 Words  | 1 Pages

    The movie of Of Mice and Men had many differences while still giving the same message that the book was portrayed to have. One of the major differences was that Candy never came into the room when Lennie and Crooks were talking to each other. This was major because Crooks never found out that the plan was true about the little house. In the book after he heard Candy talk about it he wanted to get in on the deal. Also the movie it never showed Lennie have his illusions of his Aunt Carla and the rabbits when he was waiting by the pond.

    Read More

  • The Catcher In the Rye Should Not be Banned

    793 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Catcher in the Rye Should Not be Banned. & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; Since its publication in 1951, The Catcher In the Rye, written by J.D. Salinger has served as a conflagration for debate and extreme controversy. Although the novel has been the target of scornful criticism, it has also been the topic of wide discussion. The novel portrays the life of sixteen year old, Holden Caufield. Currently in psychiatric care, Holden recalls what happened to him last Christmas.

    Read More

  • Book Review- Of mice and men

    418 Words  | 1 Pages

    Who would you prefer ending up dead: The first main hero or the second main hero? If your choice is the second main hero then John Steinbeck’s short novel, Of mice and men, is the perfect book for you. And if you like reading books with the first main hero ending up dead, then the best book for you will be…Of Mice and men, as well. Because, in a sense, the first main hero dies too. If you kill someone, who play a very important part in your life, with your own hands, won’t you be almost dead too?

    Read More

  • Of Mice And Men Book Report

    1506 Words  | 4 Pages

    5.) Crooks- Crooks, the black stable-hand, gets his name from his crooked back. He is isolated from the other men because of the color of his skin. Soon, Crooks becomes fond of Lennie, and even though he claims to have seen countless men following empty dreams of buying their own land, he asks Lennie if he can go with them, because he wants to hoe in the garden.

    Read More

More about Essay On The Book Of Mice And Men

Open Document