Wait a second!
More handpicked essays just for you.
More handpicked essays just for you.
Comment on the theme of george orwell animal farm
Literary analysis of George Orwell animal farm
Literary analysis of George Orwell animal farm
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Social Injustices have been illustrated through literature for many years, these injustices present hidden morals. The time of the Great Depression was a budding of many social injustices- gender inequality, migrant workers, treatment of the elderly, and racism. The most concerning injustice during the time of the Great Depression was the discrimination portrayed against African Americans. This racial injustice was demonstrated through the novel Of Mice and Men. The story characterizes the hardships and struggles of the life of a black man. The novel, Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, focuses on the injustice shown towards the black community, by introducing the character of Crooks with the description of his race. Steinbeck's intention of …show more content…
Since Crooks was a black worker, nobody would accept him into their bunkhouse. “Cause I'm black. They play cards in there, but I can't play because I'm black. They say I stink…”( Steinbeck 68). Due to Crooks isolation from his workers, he had faced many years of isolation and loneliness. Racial injustice applied a great amount of hardship on many African American lives. To depict what African American truly went through during the Great Depression, Steinbeck includes the character of Crooks. Not only did Crooks face exclusion and discrimination, but he also dealt with barbarism. Crooks had endured some sort of racial hatred each time he would even open his mouth to talk. For example, while Crooks was standing up to Curley’s wife, she bluntly countered with, ”Well, you keep your place then, N*****. I could get you strung up on a tree so easy it ain't even funny”( Steinbeck 80). Crooks learned to live carefully and to not think rashly, since if he made one mistake that could result in him losing his job, or worse, he could lose his …show more content…
In the city of Elk Grove they are many acts of racism targeting the black race. An article in the Sacramento Bee by Anita Chabria and Diana Lambert, stated that, “Francois said the N-word is commonly used on campus. She has had it screamed at her from a car filled with white kids while walking home from school. She listed other incidents when the word was used and, in one case, threats were made against African American students”(Chabria and Lambert). As shown in the novel, Crooks was usually not called by his name but he was acknowledged as n*****. “They let the n***** come in that night” (Steinbeck 20). This is not the only case where African Americans were targeted for their race. In the school, U.C Davis, a student shouted racial slurs at an innocent black women. According to Sacramento Bee, Benjy Egel, stated that,“three men reportedly shouted racial epithets at a 21-year-old African American student...”(Egel). This is similarly portrayed in the novella, Crooks’ boss would yell and treat Crooks horribly when the boss was mad. Crooks explained how, “The boss gives him hell when he's mad” (Steinbeck 20). Crooks was treated as an object used for venting out anger. Starting at the Great Depression to this current day (1929-2018), so many black communities have been facing constant racial hatred. As Steinbeck
Crooks, An African American in Of Mice and Men, who is not able to fit in because of his race, symbolizes racial profiling in society today. Steinbeck clearly makes his point in the novella by concluding that Crooks is not important to them because he is African American. This relates to society today through the Trayvon Martin Case. Trayvon was shot and killed because a Latino thought he was harmful because of his race. Trayvon and Crooks are both victims of racial profiling in society.
When Curly’s wife went to Crooks to ask if he has seen Curly around, Curly said that he hasn’t seen him, but still she was standing there and Crooks said, “You got no rights coming in a coloured man’s room. You got no rights messing around in here at all.” Steinbeck’s use of Crook’s dialogue shows that Crooks had enough pride and independence to stand up to Curly’s wife. She turned on him in scorn. “Listen, Nigger,” she said. “You know what I can do to you if you open your trap?” Crooks stared hopelessly at her, and then he sat down on his bunk and drew into himself. Steinbeck uses Curly’s wife’s dialogue to tell the readers that Crooks was always discriminated against. When Lennie was wandering around at the ranch and went into Crook’s room, Crooks said, “You go get outta my rooms. I ain’t wanted in the bunk house and you ain’t wanted in my room.” Steinbeck uses crook’s dialogue, racism and loneliness to demonstrate that Crooks wanted to be left alone, but also from inside he wants to talk to someone. Readers may feel sympathy at Steinbeck’s idea of racism. Crooks was always treated badly and is always discriminated against.
Crooks, the black stable buck, is isolated from the community of migrant workers because of his racial status. When Lennie goes into the barn to see his puppy, he and Crooks have a conversation. “'Why ain't you wanted?' Lennie asked. 'Cause I'm black. They play cards in there, but I can't play because I'm black'” (68). Lennie is too kind-hearted and intellectually slow to visualize the apparent racial boundary that sets Crooks aside from Lennie and the rest of the workers. Crooks is so isolated from the rest of the workers that he says he “can't” play cards, not that he isn't allowed to, which means that the racial boundary is like a wall Crooks cannot cross. Because he is black, Crooks believes that he cannot play cards with the white men. He can't get over the racial boundary, and believes he will be forever separated from the white men. In the beginning of chapter 4, Steinbeck describes Crooks' living space. “Crooks, the Negro stable buck, had his bunk in the harness room; a little shed that leaned off the...
Several characters in the novel Of Mice and Men are presented with additional obstacles throughout the book. Whether because of color, sex, or disabilities, John Steinbeck purposefully did this to illustrate oppression. Of Mice and Men explores the effects of systemic oppression on women, African-Americans, and people with disabilities.
Crooks, the most isolated character, is treated differently by everyone on the ranch. They treat Crooks with less respect than they do each other. They call him names, which might not have caused uproar, but still disrespectful. In fact, when Curley was looking for him, he demanded to know where Crooks was. Curley asked, "'Where the hell is that god damn nigger?'" (Steinbeck 29). Curley's harsh words, are some of the reasons Crooks...
Crooks. loneliness is caused because he is black, at the time the story took place there was racism. Since Crooks is black, he wasn?t able to socialize with the white men. When Steinbeck describes all of Crooks? possessions, it shows that Crooks has been at the ranch a long time and that his possessions are all the he cares about.
Firstly, I am going to talk about Lennie who was known as a man with
Although discrimination is still present during the time period of the book, Crooks still attempts to make friends. Others treat Crooks unjust because he is different from others given that he is black. He does not know how to treat others because of the way others treat him; with disrespect. Furthermore, he does not know how to vent his frustration and as a result, lashes out at others because they are cruel to him. Crooks is not allowed to participate in daily events with white people. He is treated unfairly and therefore acts the same way toward the white people (the ones who offended him.)
Discrimination was one of the issues that caused conflict in the novel “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck. One example of discrimination in the novel comes in the form of racial discrimination against Crooks, as he is an African American. Another example of discrimination is gender discrimination against Curley’s wife. Finally, there is discrimination against mentally disabled people, which is evident in Lennie’s character. The ranch hands' actions and conversations demonstrated the racial discrimination against Crooks for his skin colour, gender discrimination against Curley’s wife for her gender, and prejudice against Lennie, who was mentally disabled individual. This prevented the characters from reaching their full potential and causes tragedy.
The world is universally filled with injustice, therefore, humanity has dealt with the topic of discrimination. Injustice in our society occurs when it showcases several individuals disrespecting one another about their natural identity. In today’s world, discrimination can be categorized into many different groups, such as ageism, racism, and sexism. In our society every individual has been a victim or an oppressor at some point. Therefore, we should be prepared to face the challenges of injustice by standing up for individuals who are victims of discrimination. The novel Of Mice and Men deals with the types of discrimination that involve individuals like Candy who face injustice in different ways. Personally, I have also experienced discrimination. Additionally, a historical Canadian named Viola Desmond had faced discrimination and was determined to confront the issue of discrimination against her race. Therefore, we should be
An example of how the men are discriminative towards Crooks is that he is forced to live in a shack away from the bunkhouse and also Crooks says that "They play cards in there, but I can't play because I'm black. They say "I stink" and "I ain't wanted in the bunkhouse." An example of when Curley's Wife is critical towards Crooks is when she looks into his room to see what Lennie and Crooks are doing and then she states, shaking her head, that they left the weak ones behind. Also, she threatens to have Crooks hanged because a black man should never talk to a white woman the way he just had. As a result of all of these discriminatory acts against him, Crooks feels unwanted and lonely because of his color and placement on the farm.
Racial discrimination has been around for a long time, judging people for the color of their skin. Crooks is affected by this because he is black. Blacks in that time were thought as lesser than the white people. The racial discrimination affects Crooks' life in only negative ways. He is plagued by loneliness because of the color of his skin. His lack of company drives him crazy. Only when Lennie comes in to his room does he feel less lonely. He talked of his loneliness using a hypothetical scenario of George leaving Lennie. Crooks' responds to this discrimination by staying in his barn and being secluded. He doesn't want anyone to be in there but deep down he does so he can have some company. He isn't wanted in the bunk house or to play cards with the others because he is black. This effected the story by letting people walk all over him, letting them think they can do whatever they want, and ultimately making the people think they have a lot of power when really they do not.
Of Mice and Men is a literary classic written by John Steinbeck. Set during the Great Depression in California, the book is a universal story of migrant workers experiencing poverty, loneliness, hardship and broken dreams. Although the book is highly praised for its brilliance, it also contains extremely inappropriate affairs throughout, and is a questionable choice to include in a school curriculum. "Perennially atop the Top 100 Banned Books compiled by the American Library Association, "Of Mice and Men" is often criticized for its racial slurs, profanity, vulgarity and offensive language"(Birkenbuel). Although Of Mice and Men is considered a literary classic, the book should not be included in a secondary curriculum due its many depictions of violence.
The boss often takes out his anger on Crooks, because he is different due to his race, and incapable of leaving or defending himself due to his physical disability. This is shown when George and Lennie arrive late and the boss becomes angry. "He give the stable buck hell too... Ya see the stable buck's a nigger." (Steinbeck, page 19-20) By stating this, the speaker, Candy, is giving validation for the boss' actions. It is implied that Crooks feels pain as a result of being constantly yelled at for the actions of others. Not only is Crooks abused by his boss, but his colleagues recognise the problem and do nothing to prevent it from recurring. The state of this society is so damaged that the mention of an African American being punished for someone else's actions does not convey feelings of remorse or liability in the culpable, but rather a nonchalant attitude. Crooks is also discriminated against and alienated by the other ranch hands,
In this selection, readers get a first look at the main characters of the story. Immediately we can tell that the men are not equal, because Lennie is walking behind George. On the other hand, they're dressed identically. This makes the reader question whether the relationship is one of equality, or if their inequality was the reason for the relationship in the first place.This seems like a relatable event that could happen in the readers’ life, so the response to this quote is great. The inequality in the friendship comes back later in the novel, when Lennie’s mental handicap begins to come through. This forces George to be less of a friend and more of a parent, role model, and idol all wrapped up. However, Lennie may not be able to look out for George, but he does what he can for his friend. This fact alone will prove that Lennie sees the friendship as equal, even when nobody else does. When they are alone, George shows Lennie respect like any good friend. Through everything, no matter how unequal the two might seem, Steinbeck seems to be saying that the loneliness is even worse than the poverty and hardship: like Lennie and George, you can get through more in your life with a close friend that cares about you as much as you care about them.