The Detrimental Impact of Discrimination on Mice and Men Bill Gates describes the negative effects of discrimination on segregated individuals. Discrimination is the cruel treatment of one group of people because of differences that distinguish them from the rest. The majority of segregated individuals are isolated and made to accept subservience. John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men demonstrates the seriousness of the crisis in discrimination. Many characters are affected by their segregation and abandon their hopes and dreams to follow their stereotypes.
Because of their distinctive characteristics, outsiders can manipulate them to make decisions that change 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 segregated environment can lead to an increase in defensive hostility and racial isolate in African Americans. Crooks will often bark at Lennie: “I ain’t needed in the bunkhouse, you ain’t needed in my room’Cause i’m black. They play cards there, but I cannot play because I’m not 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 is unable to accept discrimination, and he pretends to want to be alone. This further isolates him. Crooks’ wife Curley insults him and he morosely calls Candy to ask “Member what i said about hoein” and doing odd jobs?” I wouldn’t go to any place similar'” (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 kills the victim, leaving him with no hope and little to go. 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 have a relationship with men. Curley’s wife complains that she isn’t giving her any trouble because of gender discrimination. You think I don’t like talking to anybody ever’? Think again 77. Curley’s wife is seen as a promiscuous, sexy woman during the Great Depression. She should be kept in their homes to do 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 wanders aimlessly amongst ranchers, seeking company from the men she doesn’t like. Curley’s mistress contemptuously said that Curley was “‘standing here talking’ to a bunch stiffs- a nugger an’ a Dum-dum – and’ liking it because they ain’t anybody else'” (78). It is her loneliness and dissatisfaction at not being able to reach her goals and dreams because of the segregation she experiences in Soledad society. She lists all the stereotypes that the men in question are subject to to hide her anger and protect herself from the shame of being discriminated against. Candy is attacked for her age, Lennie because he lacks intelligence, Crooks for their race and Candy for Candy’s 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 vilified for his mental and physical disabilities, which causes feelings of insecurity and disappointment for George. George, who dejectedly complains to Slim about Lennie’s mind capabilities, says that Slim “used to play tricks on ‘im’cause he wasn’t smart enough to care for himself.” He didn’t even realize he was being joking on him. George’s past harassment and manipulation of Lennie can be seen as discrimination.
Inability to understand the situation clearly leaves the character vulnerable and dependent. George, although he is his companion, demoralizes Lennie by convincing him that his low intelligence makes him trouble-prone and forcing him to submit to his orders. This leaves the man with no control over his actions. 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 prejudice despite being strong. When faced with threatening threats, Lennie feels helpless because of the prejudice that Curley has against his 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 faces prejudice based on race, Curley’s spouse faces gender segregation, Lennie faces discrimination based on both mental and physical abilities. 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 being manipulated or manipulated by 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.
