Is the sexism in Of Mice and Men purposeful? This is the question I needed to consider while writing this essay and researching. What I found when researching Steinbeck's political views was that he was a very radical person. Many of his books were burned especially by the very people who were the subjects of them. In 1962 the New York Times published a piece on him calling him quote: “ a “limited talent” whose work was “watered down by tenth-rate philosophizing." These attacks solidify Steinbeck as a radical. Once my questions were hardly answered I dove deep into the actual book. The book Of Mice and Men portrays blatant depression era sexism.
If women worked, it was only housekeeping type jobs and women without families were often overlooked in society. I believe because of this it makes sense that Curley’s wife had to marry him. Though it would be presumed that it was harder for women to get work it was actually the opposite, jobs that were considered “women's work” were less
…show more content…
I believe that because of Steinbeck's political views, leaving her unnamed was definitely purposeful. I believe that naming something helps humanize it, leaving her unnamed causes us to lack empathy towards her. I believe that her flirty behavior & vivid description makes her seem more unhuman but also emphasizes the outdated idea of women being objects. This can be seen when George calls her a rattrap, "Well, you keep away from her, cause she's a rattrap if I ever saw one.” Another thing done to not make us empathize with her is her harsh treatment of Lennie and Crooks. Both characters she treats with little respect yet when Lennie kills her it is yet again proven that she doesn't have any power and the blame is put on her. This can be seen when Candy says, “You God damn tramp”, he said viciously. “You done it, di’n’t you? I s’pose you’re glad. Ever’body knowed you’d mess things up. You wasn’t no good. You ain’t no good now, you lousy