Discrimination In John Steinbeck's 'Of Mice And Men'

1127 Words3 Pages

Jessica Buckley
Lutrell
English
31 January 2018
Dreams Cease To Exist Past the Sound of A Gunshot
Steinbeck’s novella, “Of Mice and Men,” exhibits the different types of discrimination within society during The Great Depression. This novella is centered around two characters, George and Lennie. These men, as well as several other men, have the natural desire in life to accomplish the American Dream. However, all of the characters in this novella have his/her dreams crushed due to a certain disability or handicap. There are characters in this book that have lived just to live. The oldest character in this book, Candy, has his dreams shattered when another man in the bunkhouse (Carlson) disposes of Candy’s dog because he thinks he is too …show more content…

People throughout time have always wanted to replace the old with the new. This is just how society handles change. Steinbeck includes a scene that Carlson is talking to Candy about how wretched his dog is. Carlson thinks Candy should get rid of his old dog because he is ‘no good’. Carlson says, “Whyn’t you get Candy to shoot his old dog and give him one of the pups to raise up?” (36.) As a society, people do not value the things that are older, in this case it is Candy’s dog. People are always wanting the latest and greatest thing. Not cherishing what they have until it's gone, society shows its inadequacy. Steinbeck uses Carlson as a great example to represent how society views the elderly to be, useless. When something ages, people scrutinize it. Older people specifically in this novella get thrown to the side and forgotten about. Replacing the old dog with a new pup just proves that people perceive the elderly as nothing. Candy is often left out of the American Dream and excluded from other people in the bunkhouse, which leads to a lack of companionship. Depression takes over Candy’s …show more content…

Candy feels excited for once when he hears the men talking about moving to a ranch and living their dreams. However, his dreams are quickly shot down when the men don’t include Candy in their dreams. Candy says, “S’pose I went in with you guys. Tha’s three hunderd an’ fifty bucks I’d put in. A ain’t much good, but I could and tend the chicken and hoe the garden some.” (59) George responds, “I gotta think about it..” (59) Candy feels overwhelmed with depression at this point because he feels left out and now knows that no one cares about him. There is no hope for a recovery or a need for life anymore. He has lived a life of loneliness and it takes a toll on him. After Candy’s dog is shot and killed, his spirit is killed. The effects of loneliness on Candy cause great pain and suffering. His only hope is to begin a new life on a dream ranch. He desires to achieve his American Dream. He has every right to ache for this desire and deserves respect for what he has been through. The blatant disrespect that occurs throughout this novella creates an intense need to acquire respect. Respect is the most important thing that Candy deserves. First, his dog is taken away against his better judgement. The lack of reverence in Candy’s life takes a toll on him. Although every character in this novella is disrespected in some form, Candy

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