Discrimination is a pervasive theme in John Steinbeck's novel, "Of Mice and Men." Set during the Great Depression, the novel follows two ranch hands, George and Lennie, as they travel from job to job in search of a better life. Despite their shared dream of owning their own piece of land and living off the "fatta the lan'," George and Lennie are constantly thwarted by the discrimination and prejudice they encounter.
One of the most obvious forms of discrimination in the novel is racial prejudice. Candy, an old swamper, tells George and Lennie about a black man who was lynched for speaking to a white woman. Candy laments that "them was good times" and "nobody got in no trouble," implying that the lynching was a justifiable act of violence against a black man who dared to defy the racial hierarchy. Candy's casual acceptance of lynching as a normal occurrence highlights the deep-seated racism that pervades the ranch.
In addition to racial prejudice, "Of Mice and Men" also explores discrimination based on disability. Lennie, who has a developmental disability, is treated with contempt and cruelty by many of the other characters. Candy refers to Lennie as a "cuckoo," and Curley's wife mocks Lennie's childlike innocence and simplicity. Even George, who is Lennie's closest companion and protector, becomes frustrated with Lennie's inability to understand social conventions and his tendency to cause trouble. These attitudes towards Lennie's disability reflect the societal biases and stigma surrounding individuals with intellectual disabilities at the time the novel was written.
Another form of discrimination in "Of Mice and Men" is gender discrimination. Curley's wife, the only woman on the ranch, is isolated and mistreated by the male ranch hands. She is referred to as a "tart" and a "tramp," and the men make it clear that they view her as nothing more than a sexual object. When she tries to strike up a conversation with Lennie, he inadvertently kills her, underscoring the dangers and isolation faced by women in a male-dominated society.
In conclusion, discrimination is a central theme in "Of Mice and Men." The novel highlights the various ways in which individuals are marginalized and mistreated due to their race, disability, and gender. Steinbeck's portrayal of these issues serves as a commentary on the destructive and dehumanizing effects of prejudice.
