How Does Steinbeck Present The Theme Of Sacrifice In Of Mice And Men

“The law of sacrifice is uniform throughout the world, to be effective it demands the sacrifice of the brave and the most spotless,” said Mahatma Gandhi, one of the most well-known freedom fighters. Here, Gandhi talks about the universal importance of sacrifice in achieving one’s goals, connecting with the idea that sacrifices reveal the depth of human connections and values. This is similar to the thought-provoking novel Of Mice and Men, where John Steinbeck uses the elements of fiction, including characterization, to demonstrate how sacrifices reveal the true meaning of companionship and the lengths individuals will go to fulfill their responsibilities for the ones they care about, even if it requires them to sacrifice their own dreams and

Her youthful disposition caused men to stay away from her, especially considering her committed relationship and aggressive husband. Curley’s Wife symbolizes the sacrifices made and struggles faced by women during the Great Depression era as her character has limited opportunities, high social expectations, and suffers from loneliness. Curley’s Wife has remained unnamed throughout the book, which demonstrates how women at the time were not only thought of in connection to their husbands, but also never truly valued as individuals. Before Curley’s Wife got married she had dreams of becoming an actress, even speaking to someone working in the film industry who had the connections to help her, as she explains this to Lennie by saying, "‘Well, I wasn't gonna stay no place where I couldn't get nowhere or make something of myself, an' where they stole your letters, I ask her if she stole it, too, an' she says no. So I married Curley. Met him out to the Riverside Dance Palace that same night.’"(page 45). Since her mother wouldn’t allow her to pursue an acting career, she decided to marry Curley because his father was

Not only had Curley’s wife lost her dreams when she got married, but also her social life. In chapter five, Curley’s Wife talks with Lennie about longing for more companionship despite being married when she says, "‘I get lonely,’ she said. ‘You can talk to people, but I can't talk to anybody but Curley. Else, he gets mad. How would you like not to talk to anybody?’" (page 44). Here, Curley's Wife expresses her frustration with her husband and not being able to fulfill her dreams as Curley is now her responsibility which causes her to sacrifice her desires, even though she is inherently in an unsatisfactory marriage. This idea showcases her sacrifice of happiness and freedom for her husband's desires as she had to move away from all friends and family as well as any opportunity for her to ever acquire a job of her own. Steinbeck utilizes Curley’s wife to show the complex relationships in the novel, connecting to the broader themes of sacrifice, and portraying a symbol of women's struggles during this