Theme Of Discrimination In Of Mice And Men

Despite the numerous laws put into place to try and avoid racism, sexism, and ageism, several men and women are still victims of discrimination. These prejudicial judgements are made everyday towards people who were born that way. Many of these unfair judgements are also seen in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men. In this compelling novel, Curley’s wife was discriminated against because she was a woman, and men saw her as a worthless person. Also, Crooks is treated unfairly because of his race, and the ranchers believe they are superior because they are white. Another character faced with discriminated is Candy. He is singled out for being an elder, and society therefore views him as being a waste of space. These specific types of men and women

When Curley’s wife was seductively strolling around the barn and disturbing the men, Candy started telling her, “‘You gotta husban’. You got no call fooling aroun’ with other guys, causin’ trouble’” (77). He continued to express his frustration by spouting, “‘You ain’t wanted here. We told you you ain’t. An’ I tell ya, you got floozy ideas about what us guys amounts to’” (79). The men were being disrespectful because they just wanted her out of there and out of their hair. They did not care what she had to say, especially when it was her opinion of them. Her thoughts and comments were irrelevant to them. Crooks also piped in and said, “‘Maybe you better go along to your own house now: We don’t want no trouble,’” (77). These men could not even remotely pretend to appreciate her company because they thought of her as a useless female. Nobody called her by name because they literally did not care what it was. Her husband clearly acquired no respect for her because he never properly introduced her to his colleagues to tell them what her name was. Once they found out she had been killed, none of these men mourned her death. Her own husband did not show great remorse following her departure. Curley’s wife was dismissed as a person simply because she was a woman, and many of the men determined they were above her on their social

All of the men were have a discussion when one of them said,“‘This is just a nigger talkin’, an’ a busted-back nigger. So it don’t mean nothin,’” (71). The ranchers call him derogatory names and neglect what he says. These men have again ranked themselves to be higher than someone because of their race. One of the ranchers spouts, “‘Where the hell is that God damn nigger?’” (29). Again, these ranchers have no tolerance. They don’t have enough respect to call Crooks by his name. When the men are in Crooks’ house for the first time Candy says, “‘I been here a long time, an’ Crooks been here a long time. This’s the first time I ever been in his room.’ Crooks said darkly, ‘Guys don’t come into a colored man’s room very much. Nobody 's been here but Slim. Slim an’ the boss,’” (75). This reveals that none of these men have ever put forth an effort to talk with Crooks except their boss and Slim. Crooks is therefore isolated and feels detached from the other men. They all have had plenty of time to get to know each other, but instead have chosen to disregard Crooks because of his race. These men should feel guilty for segregating Crooks from them because it is