Of Mice And Men Discrimination Analysis

“Defeating racism, tribalism, intolerance, and all forms of discrimination will liberate us all, victim and perpetrator alike” (Ban Ki-Moon). This famous quote from Ban Ki-Moon described different types of discrimination and how they can be overpowered. In the book Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, many forms of discrimination are shown through different characters in their own ways. Discrimination affects characters in Of Mice and Men through Lennie being overprotected by George, Crooks living alone in anger, and Curley’s wife flirting with everyone and being judged for her gender.
Firstly, the metal disability Lennie has affects him by doing bad things without knowing the consequences and always being protected by George because of it.

Lennie is much like a little kid. He is innocent and always means no harm, but does not always remember what to do or if it is the right decision. For example, George says, “You jus’ stand there and don’t say nothing. If he finds out what a crazy bastard you are, we won’t get no job, but if he sees ya at work before he hears ya talk, we’re set” (Steinbeck 6). In this quote, George is explaining how he wants Lennie to stay quiet at the new ranch they will be working at so Lennie will not ruin the opportunity to get another job. Lennie ruined their last job by rubbing a girls dress because he simply wanted to feel the soft fabric. However, when the girl started panicking, so did Lennie. His disability led him to holding onto the dress which only made things worse. George is protecting both of them because he does not want Lennie to ruin another job opportunity. Lennie did not know the consequences of his actions which led to discrimination against his mental capacity. Another way discrimination towards Lennie is shown is when George realizes what Lennie’s disability is capable of. “ ‘I should of knew’ George said hopelessly. ‘I guess maybe way back in my head I did’ ” (Steinbeck 94). George is talking about how Lennie accidentally killed Curley’s wife by holding onto her too strongly. George explains how he should have known Lennie would do something like this because of Lennie’s disability. Even though George is showing discrimination against Lennie by saying he should have known, Lennie still knows that George will still protect him and find him in the brush because that is where George told him to go if he did a ‘bad thing’. This piece of evidence shows how George knows what Lennie’s mental capacity is capable of, but still will do what he can to protect Lennie. By Lennie not realizing his consequences and through George having to protect him, discrimination has affected him.
Secondly, the discrimination against the color of Crook’s skin affects him through having to live alone in anger.

Crooks is a black male who works as a slave worker in the bunkhouse. He expresses his anger when he says, “‘Cause i'm black. They play cards in there, but I cannot play because i’m black” (Steinbeck 68). The other workers on the ranch do not let Crooks do anything with them because he is a different race. He lives by himself alone and is constantly angry about the discrimination against his skin color. Since he is black, he is often ignored and never socializes with anyone because they won’t listen to him. The other men don’t let him play cards with them and makes him live alone. Through this, the quote shows his anger and how other men discriminate against his skin color because he is black. Furthermore, Crooks explains, “If I say anything, why it's just a nigger sayin’ it” (Steinbeck 70). Crooks is telling Lennie that everyone ignores him because of the color of his skin. People discriminate against him and continue to nark on Crooks with harmful language for being black. The quote is displaying his sadness and anger about how the other men treat him. They simply do not care what he has to say just because his skin is a different color. As a result of being constantly ignored and discriminated against, Crooks is affected by living alone in

anger.
Lastly, being a woman during this time has affected Curly’s wife through flirting with other men while being lonely and tied down to Curly. Curly’s wife has had many episodes with other men on the ranch. One example of discrimination towards her is when George realizes her personality and explains, “That Curly got his work cut out for him. Ranch with a bunch of guys ain’t no place for a girl, ‘specially like her” (Steinbeck 51). This quote by George is an example of how women were discriminated against during this time period. Curly’s wife often gets lonely because the other men on the ranch will not allow her to socialize with any other men besides her husband. This piece of evidence is displaying how women were not usually allowed on ranches with other men. George goes on to explain the fact that Curly’s wife is a flirt and discriminates against her, Another piece of evidence that shows discrimination against Curly’s wife is when the swamper says, “well I think Curly married… a tart” (Steinbeck 28). The swamper uses the term tart to describe Curley’s wife as a flirt who uses her body to get attention. This quote is showing the language they used towards women during this time period. Calling Curly’s wife a tart is discriminating against her for being a woman, especially because she rebels from being discriminated against. Married women like Curly’s wife were always tied down to their husband and were discriminated against for talking with other men. This only makes Curly’s wife rebel more. Through being called names and ignored because of her gender, Curly’s wife continues to rebel and flirt with other men to feel better.
In conclusion, discrimination affects the characters through Lennie being clingy with George and not being aware of his actions, Crooks living alone in anger, and Curly’s wife flirting, rebelling, and being lonely. Lennie’s disability causes him to cling to george for protection and causes George to constantly watch over Lennie. Crooks, being a black man, was not allowed to socialize with the other white men and this caused him to be very angry and alone. Curly’s wife was simply discriminated against because she was a woman on the ranch and rebelled because of her small rights. Somehow, these characters connect individually throughout the book and explain their feelings about how they are discriminated against. This all is a great example of how people need to look past skin color, gender, and mental capacity to be able to get along in society and work together to end discrimination.