ktmeng/mec huggingface dataset:
Topic: of-mice-and-men

George promised chickens, rabbits, and everything else that Lennie would ever want. He proposed to Lennie and to himself a great life with an amazing companionship. Lennie, only in the end realized how great their friendship was. He realized he took many things for granted and one of them was George. Lennie realized how much George had done for him and was soon relieved that George didn’t hate him. It’s too bad that it took Lennie that long to realize how good of a guy that George was and how much that he meant to George. I think that the most important part of this novel wasn’t who died, or the dream that they wanted.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

The most important thing was the closeness of the two main characters because it doesn’t happen often that a great mutual alliance is found. Usually a temporary friendship is established, like the one that almost everyone has at school. You don’t often find two students who are such great friends that they know each other until they die. Everyone is so obsessed with how expensive someone’s clothes or jewelry is that they don’t have time to look deeper into a person and find what’s inside them.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

In John Steinbeck’s novel Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck uses the character Candy as a representation of the American society’s views of outliving one’s usefulness and its consequence of being deemed valueless. In the book we are told that Candy’s dog used to be the best sheepdog there ever was, but although the dog continues to hold emotional value to Candy, with age the dog has been depicted as just another old smelly dog to the other members of the farm, resulting in Carlson to demand that it be shot, which the innocent dog eventually is.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

Through Candy’s disability, age, and name the novel continuously paints Candy’s life as an awaiting tragedy. Candy’s missing hand symbolizes his helplessness, implying how his life is not in his control. Similarly Candy’s age symbolizes how his future cannot be avoided, for aging is unavoidable. To that end, one can interpret the name ‘Candy’ literally, which would suggest that he has a shelf life, alluding that he will become unwanted; since expired food is often viewed as disposable because it will no longer be serving a purpose.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

Throughout this novel, Lennie and George display a friendship unlike any other. It is so dysfunctional and rare it makes the reader wonder why these two are friends. For example, the boss says “Well, I never seen one guy take so much trouble for another guy.” “I just like to know your interest.” In this quote found on page 25, the boss is trying to make sense of their friendship. Even though this quote highlights the rarity of George and Lennie’s bond, this causes the boss to suspect wrong- doing on George’s part.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

This perfectly displays the dysfunctional and rare qualities in their friendship. There are many ups and downs in Lennie and George’s friendship in addition to it being dysfunctional and rare. Lennie is mentally ill. There is absolutely no rhyme or reason behind his actions. For instance, without Lennie, George could “Go get a job an’ work an’ no trouble. No mess at all and at the end of the month I could take my fifty bucks into town and get whatever I want.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

” This shows Lennie and George’s Relationship being down. Even though Lennie is a huge burden, George ultimately chooses to not be without him. Even though it seems like George is being held down by Lennie, George stays with Lennie because they both want the migrant dream. “Someday – we’re gonna get the Jack together, have a little house and a couple of acres an’ a cow and some pigs and we’ll have a big vegetable patch.”
Topic: of-mice-and-men

Thus, these two cannot live without each other. Lennie and George have a genuine relationship too. George takes really good care of Lennie, almost like in a maternal way. George says, “Lennie, for God’ sakes don’t drink so much, you gonna be sick like you was last night.” This shows he cares about Lennie. In the beginning, Lennie assaults a lady by tearing the front side of her dress off in their old town Weeds. George could’ve easily left Lennie to fend for himself but he realized that wasn’t the right thing to do. Lennie hears his dead aunt Clara telling him “When he got a piece of pie you always got half or more’n half.” “An’ if there was any ketchup, why he’d give it all to you.” As the novel progresses, Lennie’s past catches up with him and the authorities start looking for him. George knows that if it is caught, the officers would throw him in jail and he wouldn’t survive.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

So George shoots Lennie to basically put him out of his misery. Clearly, they have a genuine friendship. With every friendship, there are many adventures along the way. The novel starts off in a scenic woodsy area by a lake. Lennie and George run away together from their home town of Weed to run from the authorities and start a new life as migrant workers. When they’ve finally reached the barn, they meet new people and build relationships with them. The boss, Curley, Curley’s wife, Slim, Crooks, and Carlson. Lennie is always getting into trouble and George is always looking to get him out of it. Lennie kills a mouse, strangles Curley’s wife and also kills the dog. Although this book had many twist and turns, it was a heart- warming thriller that illustrated what life was like back in the 1930s. it surely wasn’t easy but having a dream meant a lot to the characters and made them strive to live their dream.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

Of Mice and Men is a Novella written By: John Steinbeck. This book is about two friends who face the challenges of humanity and the world around them. In the novella of Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck uses foreshadowing to give the reader hints or clues about other events in the story. John Steinbeck uses foreshadowing with the event of the Killing of Candy’s dog, Curley’s wife is a “rat trap”, and Curley harassing Lennie throughout the novella.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

One example of foreshadowing is when Carlson kills Candy’s dog. And this foreshadows that George will kill Lennie, because they were both put out of their misery, and that when Candy said “I ought of shot that dog myself” (61). And when George kills Lennie at the end of the book they both wanted to kill them by their selves even though George did do it himself. If George didn’t kill Lennie himself he would hav ended up getting tortured and killed by someone else he just felt better if he had did it himself
Topic: of-mice-and-men

Finally, foreshadowing can be seen when Curley harasses Lennie for not talking and because he is bigger than him. That foreshadows that they might get into a disagreement or an argument possibly a fight. So when George was talking for Lennie, Curley said “let the big guy talk “. But earlier that day George told Candy ,”well he better watch out for Lennie, he aint no fighter but he is strong as a bull” (27). Because Lennie is very strong. Curley doesn’t like bigger guys which Lennie is. So I drew a conclusion that they will most likely fight which they do and Curley was beating Lennie until George told Lennie “GET HIM!” Lennie crushed his hand because of his uncontrollable strength he has.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

John Steinbeck uses many examples of Foreshadowing in Of Mice And Men. Foreshadowing gives the readers hints or clues throughout the story. John Steinbeck uses foreshadowing mostly with George and Lennie. All these examples of foreshadowing lead to the death of Lennie and the failure of a dream. John Steinbeck uses foreshadowing with the event of the Killing of Candy’s dog, Curley’s wife is a “rat trap”, and Curley harassing Lennie throughout the novella.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

The term American dream may not be used too often any more, but especially in the 1930’s it was a very motivating term for the working class. Whether their dream was to own their own company, support their family or even just own a piece of land to call their own, the thought of having a dream that they could fulfil if only they worked hard enough was keeping them moving forward. George and Lennie’s dream was the latter, they longed to own a piece of land, to have animals, and live so no one would have control over them.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

But throughout the course of the novel, some of their choices adjust the final outcome of their dream. By the end of Of Mice and Men Lennie and George’s dream has been altered in many ways. Although Lennie was killed in the end of the novel, a version of his dream still came true. The basis of Lennie’s dream was that he would be safe from harm and people running after him and that he would be stopped from hurting anyone accidentally.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

George knew what he had to do but he didn’t want Lennie to feel any pain in the process. “Shoot him right in the back of the head…he wouldn’t feel nothing” (Steinbeck 45). The way Carlson shot Candy’s old dog was the same way that George shot Lennie. Right in the back of the head he said softly” (Steinbeck 107).
Topic: of-mice-and-men

The method he used to end Lennie’s life was much more merciful and humane than Curley’s plan. George also wanted Lennie to be at peace, thinking about their dream, their ranch, before he died. Killing Lennie was George’s only option. If Curley had gotten to him he would have had a painful death and even in the possibility of Lennie’s escape, he would eventually be tracked down and killed or sent to an asylum because of his mental disabilities.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

Because of George’s death and the circumstances they put themselves in, Lennie did not get to see the day that they owned a ranch, but he did ultimately get his dream. We never find out for sure if George fulfills his dream and gets a ranch, but even thought Lennie died, he still has an opportunity to achieve this dream. Lennie is now not driving George out of his jobs and on the run. “You can’t keep a job and you lose me ever’ job I get. Jus’ keep me shovin’ all over the country all the time” (Steinbeck 11).
Topic: of-mice-and-men

Since George could keep a job without Lennie, he would be able to get the full stake of pay each month for his ranch and raise the money quicker. He also still has the support of Candy. “S’pose I went in with you guys. Tha’s three hundred fifty bucks I’d put in. I ain’t much good, but I could cook and tend the chickens” (Steinbeck 59). Not only could George keep a job but he could also have a much more leisurely life. “I could get along so easy and so nice if I didn’t have you on my tail. I could live so easy and maybe have a girl” (Steinbeck 7).
Topic: of-mice-and-men

Without having to care for Lennie, George would be able to relax and live a more normal life as a worker. Because of Lennie’s death George may even be able to get the ranch faster and by doing so still achieve a version of the American dream. The American dream is a motivation for many characters in Of Mice and Men but through a series of events, not all their dreams remain the same by the end of the novel. George and Lennie’s dream was their ambition, their reason to keep persevering. They always had it as their ideal, their goal to strive for.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

If they could just own a ranch they would be happy. But throughout the novel, Lennie is killed and his dream is fulfilled by not having life at all. George’s dream is now altered because Lennie would not be a part of it. Even Crooks had a dream, to go in on the ranch with George, Lennie and Candy, but because of his race, he had to realize that his dream could not be that lofty and his dream was forgotten. All during the novel, the message that is portrayed is that the American dream that is fulfilled is not the same as the dream they originally began with.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

Throughout the duration of Of Mice and Men, many versions of the American dream demonstrated motivational objectives for the characters. Lennie longed for peace and safety. George wished to have a leisurely life and Crooks hoped for a world where he was not discriminated against. Throughout the novel, these dreams were changed and sometimes even forgotten. Because of this, Steinbeck gives the impression that the American dream can never truly be fulfilled to the dreamer’s original standards.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

C works in the stables and tends to the horses; he also lives alone because he is the only black man who works on the ranch. “S’pose you didn’t have nobody. S’pose you couldn’t go into the bunkhouse and play rummy ’cause you was black. How’d you like that (p.80.) Third, the one of the last people at the bottom of the pyramid is Curly’s wife. She is at the bottom because she is a female.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

The “middle” tier of the pyramid consists of George, Carlson and Slim. First, George is L’s only friend. G is a very hard worker, and has the chance to move up higher in society but L hampers him. G cares a lot about L, but knows that if L is still around he is not going to move up in society. “I could get along so easy and so nice if I didn’t have you on my tail”(p.24.) The following character is one step above G in the social hierarchy pyramid, and that character is Carlson, he is one step above G bcuz he is not hampered like G.C is always listened too. He took charge and shot Candy’s dog when no one else dared too, which shows how much dominance he has. C also has a descent job compared to the others below him. Lastly, one step above C, lies Slim. Slim is known to be the “prince” of the ranch; he is one of the most impressive workers.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

And that reason is because they have money. First, Curley has a lot of money. Curley is disliked among the workers because the only reason he is superior is because of nepotism, since his dad is the boss he is favored and gets “special treatment.” Curley has a very big head, which doesn’t match his small physical appearance. This causes him to pick up fights just to prove himself on the ranch, Lastly; the boss is at the top because he has money. In many circumstances money makes people powerful. Hence the boss being at the top of the social hierarchy pyramid.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

In the novel ‘Of Mice and Men’, the relationship between Curley and Curley’s wife is very unstable lacking communication, love and respect. Additionally neither one showed attention for one enough, Curley liked to believe his wife was a possession this is shown by the quote ‘’you seen a girl around here? He demanded angrily’’ also ‘’ Go back home’’. These quotes implies that Curley is an extremely restless and always looking for her, furthermore he is an aggressive man, ordering people and getting away with it being the Boss’s son.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

In the relationship neither one is happy, Curley’s wife is flirtatious by ‘putting her self-out there’ and ‘kicking her legs about’ which shows that she is lonely and lacking the attention needed. But, this must have been expected being the only women on the ranch. She also likes to manipulate and intimidate Curley which drives him crazy, but she enjoyed it, because it provided her power. Even though Curley’s wife despised Curley she could never leave him.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

In the 1930’s, the year this novel was set, once married the women became the man’s belonging, and the women’s belongings also became his such as; money, clothes etc. Curley does care about his wife but is shown in an unexpected way, for example when Curley is trying to find her and being restless till he succeeds to do so. Even Whit tells him this by saying ‘’yella-jackets in his drawers’’ this means that Whit’s implying that Curley has ants in his pants.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

Curley’s wife married Curley the day they meet, which can be seen as love at first sight or on the other hand a way to escape from her mum. Which was shown for by his wife; she had only married him because she didn’t get a letter from a guy to get her into Hollywood to gain her a step closer to becoming an actress there. She believed her ‘’o’l’lady stole it’’ which made Curley’s wife resentful. Moreover a lot of people from the 1930’s would have gone to see movies in Hollywood as w way to escape the reality of the depression if it could be afforded. And mass entertainment also a multi-million dollar industry additionally huge cinemas were built which could seat more people. Hollywood became a major film-making centre.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

The theme of hardship is presented in the novel Of Mice and Men _by John Steinbeck._ Hardship is a theme most people can relate to, as there are many types of hardships in people’s lives. For example, George and Lennie have trouble keeping a job, don’t own anything, get into unwanted trouble, and have personal hardships in the novel. The writer uses the conventions of setting, conflict and characterisation to get the theme across to the readers.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

The novel Of Mice and Men is set in the countryside of California, during the 1930’s. During this time there was long-term unemployment which leads George and Lennie to travel in search of more work, as it was difficult for the two to keep a steady job. Most men travel alone but George stays with Lennie even though it means work would be harder to keep. “You can’t keep a job and you lose me ever’ job I get.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

There are many conflicts George and Lennie face together in the novel such as Lennie against Curley, Lennie against Curley’s wife and Lennie against George. All of the conflicts evolve Lennie but impacts both Lennie and George. Even though these two characters don’t want any trouble, trouble finds them. When George and Lennie were first introduced to Curley tension rose. Curley forces Lennie to speak when George instructed him earlier to leave the talking to him. Lennie acted nervously when he and Curley first met which Curley ignored and continued to intimidate Lennie. Curley only attacks Lennie because of a personal grudge against bigger men.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

Curley starts a physical fight between him and Lennie which resulted in Lennie breaking Curley’s hand. After that Lennie says to George “I didn’t want to hurt him.” Lennie was just frightened and doesn’t realize his own strength. The reader becomes a little scared or concerned for Lennie especially when Lennie accidentally killed Curley’s wife. Lennie was so frightened about George being mad at him that he took his frustration on Curley’s wife. He kept saying “Don’t you go yellin'” and “I don’t want you to yell”. In this moment the reader is frightened from Lennie is also upset because if it hadn’t been for George threatening Lennie, he would get so worried or paranoid about what he does. Just because of whom Lennie is George acts so harshly towards him.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

Prejudice of lots of groups of people prevailed in America throughout the Great Anxiety period. In the 1930s when the book occurred, there was a severe amount of racism and sexism, little to no understanding of psychological impairment, and assumedly a good deal of ageism. In _ Of Mice and Guy, _ John Steinbeck utilizes bias to highlight the style of alienation through ageism, bigotry, sexism, and ableism.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

The cattle ranch hands continuously tortured Sweet by telling him that his dog was too old for his own good, which he would be much better off dead. Sweet takes this personally, presuming that they were insinuating that he was also worthless to the cattle ranch, and too old for his own good. The old guy recognizes that this is the only task he’ll ever have, considering he only has just had one hand and is too old to do hard labor and stated, “‘When they can me here I wisht somebody ‘d shoot me … I will not have no place to go, an’ I can’t get say goodbye to jobs'” (60 ).
Topic: of-mice-and-men

Although often in the book it seems that Crooks isolates himself, it is clear towards the end of the book that the other guys avoid associating with him due to the fact that of the color of his skin. A lot of the other cattle ranch hands describe Crooks as “nigger”, an incredibly offending term, instead of his real name. Crooks avoids getting into problem by remaining in his space (which remains in the barn with the animals) and avoiding of the method of the rest of the guys.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

At one point, Crooks aggravates Curley’s wife, and as a response she threatened, “‘Well you keep your place then, nigger. I could get you strung up on a tree so fast it ain’t even funny'” (87). When Crooks is talking to Lennie and Candy, he confides in them about his loneliness, admitting, “A guy sets alone here at night, maybe readin’ books or thinkin’ or stuff like that. Sometimes he gets thinkin’, an’ he got nothin’ to tell him what’s so an’ what ain’t so” (73).
Topic: of-mice-and-men

Sexism is another major part of the novel, and it is shown through the character of Curley’s wife. Curley’s wife, is who she sounds like she is, because she’s married to Curley, the son of the head of the ranch. She is never given a name, which was probably to show the reader that the only relevance she had was that she was Curley’s possession in a way, because she was his wife and was not allowed to talk to anyone but him. Curley’s wife constantly cries for attention because she, like many of the other characters in this novel, feels lonely most of the time. The men do not understand why she does, and take it as thought she is just being “slutty” in a sense because she didn’t like Curley.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

George is talking to Candy when he says his first impression of Curley’s wife. George said, “‘Well, seems Curley’s married… a tart,'” because he didn’t empathize Curley’s wife’s loneliness (28). In turn, Curley’s wife is alienated for her gender, and admits to Crooks, Lennie, and Candy that she wishes she had people to talk to and have conversation with. While talking to the three other “outcasts” on the farm she admitted, “‘I can’t talk to nobody but Curley. Else he gets mad'” (87). It is more and more apparent throughout the book that the other ranch hands don’t want to make Curley upset by talking to his wife, but in the end she is still alienated because she is a woman.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

The most recognizable prejudice in this novel was the ablelism toward Lennie. Lennie, the main character of the book, had some type of mental disorder that prevented him from remembering things and also from controlling the motor function and decision making concerning his hands, but of course in this time period there was no knowledge of such diseases. Lennie was the most kind-hearted, innocent character in this book because he doesn’t understand superficial alienation or prejudice toward someone because of their sex, race, age, etc. He can’t take care of himself, so his best friend George tells him what to do. During one part of the book when George is talking to Slim, George talks about how he used to treat Lennie: “‘I used to have a hell of a lot of fun with him.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

Used to play jokes on ‘im ’cause he was too dumb to take care of ‘imself'” (40). Soon after, George told Slim that he stopped messing with Lennie because he told him once to jump into a river, and Lennie almost drowned and died because he didn’t know how to swim, and didn’t know any better than to just listen to what George says. At the end of the book when Curley found out that Lennie had killed his wife, he took it out in anger because he did not understand that Lennie couldn’t control himself, ordering, “‘When you see ‘um, don’t give ‘im no chance, shoot for his guts'” (97). Lennie is alienated in this novel because of his disability and is isolated (and killed) as a result.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

In sum, Steinbeck uses ageism, sexism, racism, and ableism to convey the theme of alienation in _Of Mice and Men_. In the scene with all four of the alienated characters in Crooks’s room, Curley’s wife said in frustration with the fact that she has not one to talk to, “‘Standin’ here talkin’ to a bunch of bindle stiffs- a nigger an’ a dum-dum and a lousy ol’ sheep- an’ likin’ it because they ain’t got nobody else.'” (78) This line is very significant because it shows that even though they are all excluded from the majority of the ranch hands, and from society in general, they realize that they can turn to each other when they feel lonely.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

A: Through the repetition of the conjunction “s’pose,” a lexical field of isolation is created which further emphasises the sheer hardship he faces being the only black man, which simultaneously provokes the reader to feel empathetic towards him. Another reason that the reader will feel empathetic towards Crooks at this point is because of the fact that he his openly confiding in Lennie which gives the impression that he isn’t able to do this on a normal basis.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

A: From the description of his room which Crooks insists on keeping neat implies that fact that even though he has been degraded to the levels of animals because of his colour, he has come to the realisation that he does not need to live like one. This displays that dignity is an important matter to him. Also the use of the verb “demanded” suggests that Crooks is determined to have a say in which he talks to if that’s the only thing he can do. This emphasises the fact that he purposely isolates himself, as he is a victim of prejudice.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

A: The use of the metaphor, “glitter with intensity” implies that Crooks has many hidden emotions yet he is unable to share them with anyone, as he is not close to anyone due to his colour. Also the use of the pre-modifier, “pain tightened lips” suggests that Crooks has almost represses his emotions and painful experiences away inside him, as he is unable to find someone to confide in.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

A: As he ‘opened quietly’, can be symbolic of his natural quiet life, which shows that he is in an isolated world with no dreams. The explicit commentary of crooks ‘head’ being black as shown by the word ‘negro’, expresses that being a black person means that you are powerless and segregated in the ranch life. ‘Eye patient’, confirms to the audience that Crooks is awaiting for recognition, and as he is ‘lean’, could possibly mean that he is looking up at the ranch workers as he has no authority over them.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

A: Use of hyperbole, ‘nuts’ stresses Crooks abhorrence of his seclusion and that being socially excluded has made him change negatively, by being ‘sick’. The adverbial quantifier intensifier points out that his need for social interaction is literally killing him. Through the use of the words, ‘nuts…lonely…sick’, creates a semantic field of dehumanisation, as Crooks has no typical lifestyle or feelings in association to the other workers in the ranch. A lexical field of knowledge is made due to the repetition of ‘books’, showing that ‘books’ is his only source of entertainment to fulfil his need to mingle with others in society.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

A: Here a semantic field of agony is evident through the words ‘pain… tightened…pain’, which suggests that Crooks ranch life underprivileged and too challenging for someone of his figure. The use of pre-modifier ‘pain-tightened’, illustrates the depth of ache within crook, which makes him unable to speak up for himself, due to having no greater dominance in contrast to other ranch workers including Curley’s wife.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

Although murder is morally incorrect, mercy killing can be justified as it may prevent a later inevitable and painful death. In the novella ‘Of Mice and Men’ written by John Steinbeck, the character George shoots his friend, Lennie. Whilst George’s actions can be condemned, George had good intentions towards the death of his friend. Steinbeck makes it clear throughout the novella that although horrid incidents may occur such as Lennie’s death that it was how it was during the Great Depression.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

Killing Lennie was not an easy choice.. He also prevented a further painful and torturous death for Lennie, as Curley plans to ‘shoot that big bastard’s guts right outta him.’ This implies that Curley intends no mercy and an excruciating death awaits Lennie. By shooting his friend, George gives Lennie a peaceful death. During the scene where the two men are in the bush, George once again recites their dream which reminds the audience and Lennie of their friendship. He tells George, ‘I got you an’ you got me.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

The murder of Lennie is justified as Steinbeck shows the audience through the novella, realistic themes that were evident in the 1930s. Steinbeck’s writing style has been described as a naturalist or realist type. It is clear from the start, that in ‘Of Mice and Men’ there is a predatory nature in human existence. Candy says to George, “I shouldn’t have let no stranger shoot my dog.” Having said that, it foreshadows Lennie’s death and what George must do. It also conveys in the idea that Lennie will face a similar fate to Candy’s old dog who is weak and handicapped. Society does not tolerate the weak as there were limited resources during the Great Depression. As seen in the scene where Slim drowns the smallest pups, it is clear that Steinbeck is trying to send across the message that only the strongest lived during the Great Depression. John Steinbeck gave the reader a realistic view on what would have happened during a difficult time and Lennie’s death is similar to what would have occurred during the 1930s.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

The final reason that justifies Lennie’s death, is when one ponders the reality of the men attaining the ranch. As evident in the novella, Lennie has no problem killing small animals and even people. If the reader is to imagine Lennie on a ranch with a large group of animals, especially rabbits; no matter how many times Candy calculated the numbers, there would be no possible way for the men to make a profit off the rabbits given the amount Lennie would kill due to his brute strength. By forgetting the reality of the situation, the men forget that the ranch was not even a reachable goal in the first place. As indicated by George, “I think I knowed from the very first. I think I knowed we’d never do her.” This supports the idea that there was really no chance of the men actually getting the ranch. By killing Lennie, George puts an end to the unrealistic dream in which Lennie would have created problems in making the dream farm profitable.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

George’s actions are justified through realism that the ending scene portrays. When George shoots Lennie, he ensures he dies a peaceful death. If George did not kill Lennie, Lennie would have faced a possible torturous death. His actions are also justified as George meant no malicious intent and only wants the best for his friend. Lennie would have made life difficult even on their own land. Steinbeck shows the realism that people in the Great Depression would have faced in situations similar to Lennie and George’s; he shows us a piece of history and the tragedies attached. Although one may condemn George’s shooting of Lennie, mercy killing was the best choice for both of the men.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

“Prejudices are the chains forged by ignorance to keep men apart.” – Marguerite Gardiner. In society, both modern and in the past, prejudice has been a tool of thinking and labeling a group of race, people, class and culture in order to distinguish ones superiority and dominance from one another, but is simply a way to judge without gathering valid facts. In Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, we see that prejudice was just as rampant in the 1930’s. In the novel, prejudice is demonstrated on 3 different levels: racial, sexual and social.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

Racial prejudice is most significant when describing Crooks, who happens to be the stable buck for the farm. Crooks is also a Black man with a back disability, hence the reason he is called “Crooks”. While most of the other workers live in the same area and attend to jobs that are quite similar, Crooks is forced to live by himself, work alone in the stables and is almost never in contact with any of the other characters.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

People such as Curly’s Wife go as far as to ridicule Crooks and even look down at him simply for the fact that he is a Black man with a disability who is a laborer. In one instance, Curly’s Wife threatens Crooks by telling him “Listen, Nigger, you know what I can do if you open your trap, I could get you strung up on a tree so easy it ain’t funny” (Steinbeck, 98).
Topic: of-mice-and-men

The open brutality of this comment shows that even a woman, who would normally not have much or any say during this time in the 1930’s, is still considered higher in social class than an African-American man. Nothing is known about him as a person by any of the other farm attendants, but the prejudices that in this case are completely false help propel a gap between them, when one does not need to be. Although he may be physically handicap, he is just as capable as any of the others. As a result of being an outcast at the farm, Crooks has become very isolated and disengaged with the other members.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

When Lennie enters Crooks cabin in order retrieve the puppies, Crooks lashes out and tells Lennie “I ain’t wanted in the bunk room and you ain’t wanted in my room” (Steinbeck,124). This comment shows that Crooks has become bitter and alone because of the prejudice constantly being aimed at him when there is no reason for the way he is treated. He is a great overall example of racial prejudice in Of Mice and Men and society, both past and present, in which a African-American male, who is as capable as any man of another color is denied the same opportunities because of stereotypes and perceptions which can only be supported with biased false facts.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

Sexual prejudice is strong when Curly’s Wife is a part of a scene. Curly’s Wife also happens to be the only female that is currently occupying the place of work that the novel is set in. Curly’s Wife is presented as a character who tends to be very friendly with all the men on the farm and enjoys the attention she gets because her husband, Curly does not give her the amount of attention that she wants, so she finds it with others. Curly’s Wife is often avoided by all other who work at the farm because she is a woman who could get them in a lot of trouble. Curly is the boss’ son and Curly’s Wife being the daughter-in-law always gets her way and can have any man in the farm fired without reason. “She got the eye goin’ all the time on everybody. I bet she even gives the stable buck they eye. I don’t know what the hell she wants” (Steinbeck,51).
Topic: of-mice-and-men

Being a woman, there is already significant amount of sexual prejudice directed to her and the fact that she is very flirtatious with the other men further strengthens their perception of her. They all try to remain as calm as possible, careful not to give her the wrong idea cause they know the trouble that she could get them in. In actuality it appears that Curly’s Wife only craves attention from the other men and nothing sexual because of the lack of her husband to give her the attention that she wants. The idea of her wanting something only sexual and not spiritual shows the prejudice associated with gender in this novel and how its falsehood prevents a lonely woman from engaging and connecting with others on a mental level.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

Equally important is the Social prejudice towards characters such as Candy and Lennie in Of Mice and Men. Candy is very old and not capable of doing much around the farm but is still kept around to do the simple chores that the others are seen as more of a waste of time for others. These simple chores are envied by others and this jealousy helps create a division between Candy and the others. Candy also has a dog that in many ways is similar to him “[The] dog ain’t no good to himself. I wisht somebody’d shoot me if I got old an’ a cripple (pg. 45).” They are both described as being old, withered, confused and in many ways more of a nuisance who would do more good dead than alive. Socially being hated by the majority of the men at the ranch shows the prejudice that is directed without any reason, but simply motivated by jealousy.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

In the instance of Lennie, social prejudice is strongest evident in the perception others have of him because in their eyes, all they see is a big oaf incapable of accomplishing anything intelligent and only kept around for his strength. Before meeting Lennie and even engaging him in conversation, his position has already been established at the Ranch. With Curly we see that “[He’s] like a lot of little guys. He hates big guys. He’s alla time picking scraps with big guys. Kind of like he’s mad at ’em because he ain’t a big guy” (pg. 26). Regardless of his ability to be of help at the farm, Curly already establishes his position on Lennie even though he has had no significant direct contact or enough time to accurately depict Lennie as a person and not just a big man physically.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

Not only Curly, but other members of the farm also have decided Lennie’s place at work before fully knowing him. He is left out of card games, left back at the ranch when George and the others go out to hand more important jobs. Being considered a simple minded men with little use who spend their days playing with and day dreaming about rabbits or sweeping after others, Lennie and Candy have become outcasts in the sense that one of them is perceived to be mentally unstable and added to the fact that he is physically strong, while the other one is a nuisance who many could live without, make them both isolated and all the more reason to be avoid and singled out.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

Throughout life, one establishes friendships to better ensure their future. The novel Of Mice And Men, written by John Steinbeck, is about a group of traveling labor workers and the hardships that they overcome. The friendship between George, one of the main characters, and Lenny, a retarded man and of Candy, a crippled man, and his old dog, although different, they each share many of the same feelings toward each other. Also, by establishing these friendships, each partner is benefited and is given life motivation.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

Because [they] [had] each other, George and Lenny became more loving and compassionate, not just towards themselves, but also towards others (104). Unlike the other traveling workers who journeyed alone, George and Lenny were together, fighting off the hardships of The Great Depression with a loving relationship. This bond kept each others hearts pure and refrained them from turning bitter. Ever since Candys dog was a puppy, he and Candy had shared a trustworthy connection filled with loyalty for each other.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

Since Candy had his pup ever since it was born, Candy was its only master. Because canines are extremely loyal to their master, this loyal bond was able to flourish. Finally, because Lenny has been with George all his life, he feels a bond of trust between them and is completely loyal to George. During their early years, when George wasnt so kind to Lenny, he could have told Lenny to walk over a cliff and over hed go (40). Although George never did something this cruel, he did do some grueling things. He even got Lenny into fights. However, as time went on, he too became loyal and a trusting relationship grew. Even though these partners are very different, they still share many of the same feelings towards each other.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

In the relationship of George and Lenny and of Candy and his dog, each partner gains something and this is the motivation for the friendship. Because of Lennys mental state, as he travels with, and becomes friends with, George, he benefits by having a guardian to follow him around and keep him safe. Ever since they were young, Lenny just come along with George, and from that day forward he benefited from Georges safety (40). Lenny is retarded and his mind cannot process enough useful information to allow him to live a successful life, contributing to society. If George had not allowed Lenny to travel with him then Lenny would either end up homeless, in prison, or dead. In addition, because Candys dog is now useless, he benefits off Candy by receiving a guardian to protect him and guide him through the rest of his life.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

Although he had been an excellent canine in his day, because he aint no good to anyone now, his life would be futile if he did not have a guide for his remaining years. However, Candy did not care for him entirely out of kindness, he too benefits from their relationship. Because Candy is a cripple, he wants to feel like he is needed, and having someone that depends on him, allows Candy to live a joyous life. Although Lenny does not have much to give, George still benefits off their friendship by receiving a loyal companion to accompany him on his journeys. Because [they] travel together, George does not have to be burdened with the loneliness that could drive a man insane. George observes the other traveling labor workers become hard and lonely because they have nobody to converse with on their journeys. Although he benefits from their relationship, George pays dearly with his guardianship over Lenny. By establishing these relationships, each partner is benefited and given life motivation.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

Both the friendship of George and Lenny and of Candy and his dog lose their significant bonds when the partners are separated. Because Candy and his dog provide companionship for each other, when his dog dies Candy is left alone and unstable. Once his dog had been put up for the death sentence, Candy was left alone, pondering their wonderful memories together as he lied rigidly on his bed and stared at the ceiling (48). Candys purpose in life was now over, for he had no one that depended on him. Now the only thing that drove him was the hope that Georges dream would come true, and that George, Lenny and he would get their own little plot of land. After George kills Lenny, although this was an act of kindness, George loses his purpose as a guardian. After he had pulled the trigger, George shivered and looked at the gun, for he knew that his guardianship was now over (106). George understood that it was his responsibility to kill Lenny.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

Although this act of kindness will burden him for the rest of his life, George still did the honorable thing. When Lenny died, George loses his dream of having a place of their own. By now, the dream had spread to more than just George and Lenny and when Lenny and their little place die away George becomes miserable and hurt (94). The time that followed this tragedy was the first time of Georges adult life with out Lenny. Also, up till now Georges purpose in life was to care for, and keep Lenny safe. With Lenny dead, George feels that his life had no purpose, for he could not keep Lenny from dangers grasp. When each friendship becomes separated, the still living partner feels no more purpose for life.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

Because of their established friendships, George, Lenny, Candy and his dog are able to live happy, joy filled lives as they overcome the hardships of The Great Depression. Although their significant bonds are broken when the partners are separated, when they are together, the partners benefit and share many feelings towards each other. Some say opposites attract, and buy using this scientific law to create friendships with different people; our society would be a friendlier and overall better place.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

When all of the ranch hands went into town, Lennie, Crooks, Candy, and Curley’s wife were left behind. This was due to discrimination and prejudice. While the ranch hands were in town, the true similarities among the others really come out. One can see that they are left out and secluded due the fact that each one of them has either a physical or mental disability, or are considered trouble.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

George had to speak for Lennie and do a lot of babysitting and thinking for him also. Crooks, the Negro stablebuck, had been injured when a horse kicked him. He had a hard time walking around because his back was hunched over and was very sore. With being a “nigger”, the boss had a room just for him in the barn. Candy, the swamper, is an old man who had his hand injured in an accident on the ranch, making him partially handicapped.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

The quote from George “Ranch with a bunch of guys on it ain’t no place for a girl” is an example of the prejudice towards Curley’s wife. Another part of the sexual prejudice towards her is the fact that none of the ranch hands will talk to her. Overall the ranch hands don’t trust nor understand her. Some of the sexual prejudice she experienced was her fault, she scared the ranch hands with her femininity but she wasn’t really a tart, she just craved attention that she didn’t get from Curley. Being ignored by both the ranch hands and Curley she ended up very lonely, the one thing she wanted most was to escape.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

When all things are considered, Lennie, Crooks, Candy, and Curley’s wife are all left out due to a disability or for being a possible wick to start a fire. Lennie has a mental disability that slows him down some on his thinking process. Nobody wanted Lennie to go into town because he might do something stupid. Crooks and Candy both have a physical disability. With their disabilities, the other ranchers see them as useless because Candy has no hand, and Crooks has a hunched back. The ranchers also exclude Crooks because he is a “nigger” and at that time period, “niggers” were still considered to be trash, even though slavery had been abolished. Curley’s wife is left out because of the fact that she is very flirty and if she was to come along, Curley would be very irate.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

Crooks, Candy, and Curley’s wife all suffer from discrimination and prejudice which creates loneliness and isolation for each one of them. They learn to deal with their loneliness by admiring Lennie and George’s friendship. Crooks experiences isolation due to the fact that the society he resided in was racist. “A guy goes nuts if he ain’t got nobody. Don’t matter no difference who the guy is, longs he you. I tell ya a guy gets too lonely an he gets sick” was the way Crooks found a personal connection with Lennie by letting him know he understands how he feels when George is gone. Another quote “Cause I’m black, they play cards in there but I can’t play because I’m black. They say I stink. Well I tell you, all of you stink to me” shows that Crooks would do anything to be accepted, but because of his color he has to refrain from the urge.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

Throughout the story, there is a lot of discrimination and prejudice. Lennie, Crooks, Candy, and Curley’s wife all deal with getting left out while living their lives. Their similarities really show when they aren’t able to go places and are excluded. At times when they were excluded, they came to one another to cope with their loneliness. Each one of them wanted someone to care about them, to own their own place, and to belong somewhere.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

John Ernst Steinbeck has written many award winning novels, some of which has even been produced as plays that captured audiences everywhere. Steinbeck wrote about real life experiences using realism, characterization, and dreams to emphasize his points and make an impact on his readers in order to reform or change society. The realism used in Steinbeck’s works is not only effective in informing the reader of circumstances that should be changed, but this nineteenth century literary style also creates great feelings of empathy toward the characters and their dreams.
Topic: of-mice-and-men

During the depression a severe drought covered the plains, called the Dust Bowl. This natural disaster destroyed any chance that the farmers had of making a living, and they were forced to travel west and leave their homes in hopes of finding a job. Part of the novel’s sense of realism comes from the setting. The Joads head to California from Oklahoma and their journey is characterized by poverty, starvation, death, and suffering (Stegener 405).