In The Rest Of The Novel, How Does Steinbeck Show That Some People On The Ranch Are Considered More Important Than Others? How Does This Reflect T...

Steinbeck uses hierarchy in the novel ‘Of Mice and Men’ to show that all the characters in the novella hold different statuses. Steinbeck then shows in the novella how this links with the 1930s depression and how in his novella he conformed and also challenged stereotypes.

Firstly, in the rest of the novel, Steinbeck shows the hierarchy and importance of certain characters within the ranch by the ranch workers. Steinbeck shows that although ranch workers were generally to have low statuses, Slim seems to be in charge of the ranch workers and have a similar status to that of Curley. This is evident through the speech Steinbeck gives Slim to say. The authority that Slim has is clearly seen in the end of chapter three when Slim orders Curley to stick to a certain story and when he says that ‘Well, then listen” it immediately shows how he has asserted authority over Curley that he shouldn’t have as Slim is just the ranch worker and Curley is the boss’ son. Through this Steinbeck explores hierarchy and how in 1930s America Slim was meant to stay in line as he was the ranch worker and Curley should’ve been the one who got the respect and well respect. From this it is easily shown how Steinbeck challenged stereotypes and went against what was then in society. Although the word, ‘well’ is used as a filler it also places emphasis on what is about to come next. When Slim is seen as top within the ranchers Steinbeck uses him to help show how this is a contrast to society. Not only is the part in the novel when Slim holds power but also when Candy’s dog is shot. Slim is the one within the ranch workers who makes the overall decision.

Steinbeck also uses Curley’s wife to show importance and power within the hierarchy of the novella. Steinbec...

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...ted differently by the boss, “An he gave the stable buck hell, too.” Crooks is also hardly ever referred to by his name but either as ‘stable buck’ or words such as ‘nigger.’ This shows that although Crooks has a low status he can do nothing about this as he is a black man. The stereotypes show him to be treated differently. He is also seen to get lots of racial discrimination and even disability discrimination because of his physical disability, his crooked back.

To conclude, Steinbeck uses many characters as a microcosm of 1930s American society and what each character was treated like and what their status and position was in the hierarchy. Steinbeck conformed to these stereotypes but also challenged some of the stereotypes to put his view points across. The showing of hierarchy is important in the novella as it represents what society was like and mirrored this.