Power in the Powerless
The realistic fiction novella Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck tells the story of George and Lennie, to migrant workers trying to find work during the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl, and how they try to achieve their dream of a small farm. Along the way they meet intriguing characters and run into some difficulties. In the book Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck shows different rates of power throughout the farm, and displays these ranks through the characters George, Curley, and Crooks.
The realistic fiction novella Of Mice and Men tells the story about the two protagonists George, a smaller built man, and Lennie a bigger built man with a disability. The two migrant workers try to achieve their dream of owning a small farm during the Great Depression. They find work on a small farm and meet the characters Curley, Curley’s Wife, Slim, Candy and numerous others. While there though Lennie runs into some conflicts with Curley
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Unlike George who displays referent power, Curley displays coercive power or power through threatening/intimidating someone. Curley is the Boss’ son and because of that he has authority over most of the workers on the farm. Along with those reasons, Curley has coercive power because he is hot headed. With his past of being an amateur boxer he enjoys picking fights with men physically bigger than him. One instance of his is when he starts a fight with Lennie. “His eyes slipped on past and landed on Lennie; and Lennie was still smiling with delight at the memory of the ranch. Curley stepped over to Lennie like a terrier.”What the hell ya laughing at?” Lennie looked blankly at him.”Huh?” Then Curley’s rage exploded.”Come on ya big bastard. Get up to your feet. No big son-of-a-bitch is gonna laugh at me. I’ll show ya who’s yella.”(62) This shows that Curley has power threatening someone because he’s intimidating Lennie into fighting