Cultural Differences In Their Eyes Were Watching God

Differences are what make people interesting. Different religions, cultures, and beliefs affect everyone and are interesting to see. However, sometimes these differences cause people to be persecuted. Prejudices threaten the cultural diversity that make the world such an interesting place. In Zora Neal Hurston’s novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God, the main character, Janie is ostracized from her community because of the color of her skin. Similarly, in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Tom Robinson is presumed guilty of a crime that he did not commit because he is black. John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men features a character, Lennie Small, who is left out or made fun of because of his mental problems. In Their Eyes Were Watching God Janie has light skin and hair, heavily contrasting the darker pigmentation of her neighbors. Because of this, her neighbors believe that she is stuck up and that she thinks that she is better than they

Tom Robinson is unfairly persecuted because his skin is darker than the skin of his neighbors. Robinson is not given a fair trial. Later in the book, an angry mob shows up at the jail, trying to kill him. These strangers acted without knowing if Robinson was guilty or not. Their prejudice, racism, and hate nearly leads them to murder. Robinson is shot an excessive seventeen times while trying to escape. After they shoot him and after he was dead, the guards at the prison continued to shoot him, not caring that he is an innocent man. Lennie Small in Of Mice and Men is persecuted for a different reason. Lennie has a mental handicap. He is able to feel some remorse, but quickly forgets his actions. Lennie is constantly excluded and made fun of because of his disability. People with disabilities are often bullied or taken advantage of. Because of their handicap, they may not be able to understand why they are ostracized or laughed