Paper Examples on Social Issues

Detrimental Effect Of Discrimination In Of Mice And Men

The Detrimental Impact of Discrimination on Mice and Men Bill Gates describes the negative effects of discrimination on segregated individuals. Discrimination is when a group of people are treated badly because they have different views from the majority. People who are segregated are often made to conform to the demands of subservience and are often left alone. John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men demonstrates the seriousness of discrimination. Many characters are affected by segregation and have to give up their dreams and hope in order to conform to their stereotypes.

Because of their unique characteristics, these outsiders can be manipulated by others to make certain decisions that affect the plot. Crooks and Lennie, Curley’s spouse, are three characters most adversely affected by discrimination. Crooks is a victim of racial discrimination because he is treated badly and insulted with racial threats and physical abuse. This causes loneliness and makes it impossible to achieve his goals and dreams. A segregation creates a hostile environment in which the African American is unable to express his feelings of superiority. They play cards there, but they can’t play with me because I am black. They call me a scumbag. Crook’s behaviour is explained by his inability to enter the bunkhouse and interact with ranch workers. They believe he has inferior skin. Crooks is left alone and isolated, feeling very depressed. He just wants to be loved and accepted by his coworkers. Crooks also calls Candy, morosely, “Member what you said about hoein’ and doin’ odd jobs?” “I wouldn’t go to any place similar to that,”(68). Crooks makes a decision to stop living on the dream-farm and he is racially attacked and threatened with lynching. Crooks can’t defend himself. Society massacres the victim, leaving him with no hope and no dreams. Crook’s belongings and dreams are destroyed as he gets relegated into the wrong class. Curley’s woman is also subjected to gender discrimination. While she is perceived by society as a troublemaker, Curley believes that her wife is too feminine to enjoy interacting with other women and sharing her feelings. Curley’s spouse, Curley, complains that her husband is not being fair because she believes gender discrimination can cause her to act out. You think I don’t like talking to anybody ever’? Think again ?'”(77. Curley’s wife, who is also viewed as a promiscuous tart during the Great Depression period, should be restricted to her house to perform chores. Her name is not used to refer to her, but she is simply called “Curley’s Wife” throughout Curley’s novella. This shows that men only considered her a Curley possession. She is dejectedly wandering the farm looking for companionship amongst ranchers who are full of men. Curley’s mistress contemptuously claims she is “standin’ here talking to a bunch stiffs- a nugger an’ a Dum-dum – and’ likin’ it because they aren’t anybody else'” (78). Due to her isolation and dissatisfaction, she acts in a discourteous manner. She aggressively lists the stereotypical characteristics of the men she is unable to accept. Candy complains about Crooks’ race, Lennie about his intelligence, and Candy about her age. Curley’s wife, however, is influenced by society’s view of a normal woman. This leads to a dependence on flirtatious behavior, insults, and a pathetic and pointless life. Lennie is criticized for his mental and physical disabilities, which causes him to feel defenseless and disappoint George. George, dejectedly complaining to Slim about Lennie’s mental capacities, recounts that he “used play jokes upon ‘im’cause he wasn’t smart enough to care for ‘imself. But he wasn’t even aware that he had been joking on him. “”(40). George’s past harassment against Lennie is considered discrimination because he is cleverly manipulated for his incompetence.

Inability to understand the situation clearly leaves the character vulnerable and dependent. George is a friend and companion. However, he demoralizes him by telling him that his inability to comprehend the situation leads to trouble-prone intelligence. He then orders him to follow his instructions. The man, who has no personal opinion, is left with no choice but his own. Candy gossips of Lennie jumping on Curley and licking him. Everyone knows Curley to be a very good guy. Curley is a game guy, I suppose. Curley doesn’t give anybody a chance. Lennie is still a part of society in the Great Depression. This was when many people lost their jobs. Because of their size, big men were often subject to oppression. Curley and his friends harass Lennie and force them to follow their prejudices despite their strength. Lennie is left feeling hopeless by the negative effects of Curley’s mental and physical abilities. Discrimination is a key factor in the destruction of the uniqueness and crushing the hopes and dreams of many victims.

John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men shows that prejudice is the root cause of many characters being killed. Crooks, Curley’s wife, faces gender segregation. Lennie is both subject to mental and physical discrimination. They are often unable to express their feelings of outsiders because they feel isolated. Crooks, Curley’s wife, are so affected and isolated that they use intimidation to subdue their desolation. The apparent differences between the characters leads to them manipulating or manipulating each other, which suddenly changes the story’s ending. The story demonstrates how the bad guys of a global crisis can be applied to societies during times of great struggle.

Author

  • freyamccarthy

    Freya McCarthy is an educational blogger and volunteer who helps improve education in developing countries. She has worked in education for over 10 years, most recently as a teacher in a primary school in India. Freya has a degree in education from the University of Wales and has worked in a number of different educational settings. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her family.

freyamccarthy

Freya McCarthy is an educational blogger and volunteer who helps improve education in developing countries. She has worked in education for over 10 years, most recently as a teacher in a primary school in India. Freya has a degree in education from the University of Wales and has worked in a number of different educational settings. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her family.