Childhoods In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

According to Robert P. Doyle, over forty books were restricted from schools’ curriculums. Many parents have complained to teachers that the novellas their children are learning are “too mature” or “too advanced” for their young readers. They do not want negative thoughts or outlooks to be placed into the mind of their young, impressionable children. In fact, the novella Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck has been removed from different curriculums because the plot is too depressing and parents do not agree with its use of profanity. Although it is understandable for parents to have this view, it is also important that the readers learn the valuable lessons imbedded within the novella. John Steinbeck’s novella Of Mice and Men should continue

To start, Crooks, the black stable boy, states that he is familiar with the “guys that go around on the ranches alone”, and he shares that when someone is without a companion, “after a long time they get mean” (Steinbeck 41). From observance of life on the ranch, Crooks has confirmed that the men by their lonesome on the ranch are the people with negative attitudes. Crooks shares this thought because he notices the companionship George and Lennie share, and he longingly yearns for a relationship like theirs with someone he can confide in. High school students must understand that someone may be harsh because they do not attain the type of friendship that would keep them content; so Of Mice and Men should be kept in the curriculum to inform students the mindset while feeling alone. Secondly, the black stable boy puts Lennie into his shoes by saying, “S’pose you didn’t have nobody. S’pose you couldn’t go into the bunkhouse and play rummy ‘cause you was black” (72). Unfortunately, Crooks has lived his whole life as an outcast simply because of the color of his skin. Crooks explains to Lennie how he cannot go out to town with

Since the harsh diction is specific to the time of story and to the personalities of the characters, it is essential to have this literary element imbedded in the novel. To begin, Carlson shows his frustration as he finds out Lennie has taken his gun by saying, “The bastard’s stole my luger” (97). This relates to Carlson’s character and begins to develop his personality. To add on, the harsh vocabulary, which is connected with the characters, is what sets them apart from the other characters; and without the jarring diction, one may not be able to understand the characters the way the author does. Although some people have expressed their opinions, and stated the articulations in the novella is inappropriate for readers, others have argued that the diction used helps the reader to better understand the characters. In addition, Curley’s wife expresses her dislike for the outcasts on the ranch by calling them names such as, “a nigger an’ a dum-dum and a lousy ol’ sheep” (78). Since Curley’s father owned the ranch, it was acceptable for Curley’s wife to talk down to the workers. During this time period, it was considered normal to discriminate people for their race. Curley’s wife’s use of these harsh nicknames develops her character and also enhances the background of the setting; so it is essential to teach this novella in high school