How Does Steinbeck Show The Power In Of Mice And Men

Ondine Griffiths-Green
Of Mice and Men Practice Essay

Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck, captures the hardship of America during the great depression. Steinbeck suggests that in American Society in the 30’s, the majority of respect comes from the power a man holds. Of Mice and Men explores the different types of powers and how they affect all characters in the story, whether it leaves a positive or negative influence and how power is interwoven with The Dream.

Curley’s power over the ranch negatively affect the other stockmen, his love of brute power and assumed authority is demonstrated when Curley first meets Lennie and George, “He glanced coldly at George and then at Lennie. His arms gradually bent at the elbows and his hands closed

The comfort shared between George and Lennie give them strength and a feeling of togetherness. At the beginning of the novel, Steinbeck paints the picture of George and Lennie’s friendship and how it will help them further on in the story. When Lennie tells George, “I got you to look after me and you got me to look after you” Steinbeck wrote this quote to capture the feeling of togetherness that George and Lennie share and how they seem so happy working together. George’s friendship with Lennie is emphasised when Curley starts a fight with Lennie. Despite having the ability to fight back, Lennie trusts George to tell him to do what’s right, George and Lennie’s power of friendship is prominent in the heat of Curley’s attack when Steinbeck writes, “George was on his feet yelling, ‘get him Lennie!’” their trust together makes them stronger that the authority of the ranch and also causes them to gain respect from the other

Crooks and Curley’s Wife represent the people who are not white and male. Crooks often is addressed by a derogatory name as well as his back disability, “Crooks”. He is isolated from the other men and the loneliness he has been forced to live with has made him come across as rude and stoic, this is particularly emphasised when Lennie tries to talk to Crooks, “Crooks said sharply, ‘You got no right to come in my room. This here's my room. Nobody got any right in here but me.’" this quote highlights Crook’s coldness and his acceptance that he has to live in segregation. Curley’s wife is also isolated as Curley forbids her to speak to any of the ranchmen. “Ain’t I got a right to talk to nobody? Whatta they think I am anyways?” This isolation also causes her to be angry and have her use her minimal power over Crooks. "Well, you keep your place then, N*****. I could get you strung up on a tree so easy it ain't even funny." Her desperation to have power has caused her to push down Crooks and threaten his life. The quote also mentions that she wouldn’t do the lynching herself, she would get other people to do it for her because she believes that she is