Cruelty In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

Steinbeck presents the theme of cruelty and loneliness in his novella ‘of mice and men’. This is evident when Crooks says ‘‘Cause I’m black, I ain’t wanted in the bunkhouse. They say I stink.’’ the use of the adjective ‘black’ shows how he is discriminated against because of his skin colour. The use of the verb ‘stink’ shows how he is constantly neglected by people. The use of the short declarative sentences indicate the brutality and mindlessness of the racism he suffers, which shows the theme of loneliness and cruelty. Crooks is a victim of racial discrimination. His rebuke indicates that cruelty creates further cruelty. Crooks is not allowed in the bunkhouse, they don’t want him there as he is black, he is considered to be inferior. He is

This is evident when he writes “glove fulla Vaseline – keeping his hand soft for his wife.’’ The use of the noun ‘vaseline’ reveals how Curley’s interest is only sex which shows how sexist and cruel he is. The use of the symbol ‘Vaseline glove’ shows Curley’s virility. The use of the adjective ‘soft’ infers how Curley’s keeping his hand like that in order to receive pleasure. Curley’s wife is merely Curley's 'property' with no individual identity, which this links back to sexism. Furthermore, the reader can clearly tell he is very possessive of his wife and he still visits brothels, which again, reinforces cruelty and sexism. The use of the imagery with connotations of sexual relationship between Curley and his wife, show how only sex is the most important thing for men in those days. Curley’s wife is the only girl and Curley isn’t really interested in her. He only wants her to satisfy his necessities. Women weren’t treated or respected as men were, they were only used as sexual objects. It is clear that here Curley isn’t trying to impress his wife but the other men. He uses his wife as a tool to show off and demonstrate to the men how manly he is. This shows cruelty and reflects the status of women at that time, they were seen only as the possessions of men and sexual objects and this is clearly evident