How Does Steinbeck Use Power In Of Mice And Men

For centuries, people have been afraid or feared of a person who has more power.While our society is not quite there yet, Mice and Men story allows readers to imagine how fear of someone who has power has been a problem with this society.It shows how a small and smart man called George and his disabled, big and huge friend Lennie and how they feared and suffered a lot with Lennies ́s disability to face other people and find a job to buy their own dream ranch. Steinbeck's message about power is that people react differently in positions of power because in Of Mice and Men readers see characters with little to no power, who responsibly use their power, and those who abuse their power.

One example of power shown in the story is when Carlson

̈ Candy looked a long time at Slim to try to find some reversal. ̈(Steinbeck 48).

Candy tried to look for Slim to help him but he didn't care.Candy lost his hope for having his old dog with him and decided to give up and give it to him.-Candy said: ̈softly and hopelessly,"Awright--take 'im. ̈ At this point Candy lost his power against Carlson since he said take him and didn't try to keep the dog anymore.

This quote, “"What the hell you laughin' at?" Lennie looked blankly at him. "Huh?" Then

Curley's rage exploded. "Come on, ya big bastard. Get up on your feet. Lennie looked helplessly at George, and then he got up and tried to retreat. Curley was balanced and poised. He slashed at

Lennie with his left, and then smashed down his nose with a right. ̈. ̈(Steinbeck 64).In this quote, power has been shown by Curley over Lennie. Lennie laughed at Curley like everyone did, but

Curley was trying to show everyone that he is strong and decided to start fighting with Lennie because he has a disability even that Curley knows that Lennie is stronger than him and could beat him.but Lennie didnt want to hurt him or to get in trouble because he knows that curly in

"I didn't wanta hurt him."(Lennie 65).That shows how Lennie couldn't stop Curly from beating him but not because he is weak but because of that Curly has more power than him and he could be in trouble for trying to stop him,

Finally power has been shown as racism on African American in this story, as we saw what happened to Crooks(African American) from Curley's wife, as she used her power to abuse and bother him in his room ̈ You got no rights messing around in here at all. Now you jus' get out, an' get out quick. If you don't, I'm gonna ast the boss not to ever let you come in the barn no more."(Crooks 81).She came to his room and she starts bothering him, He told her she had no right to be in his room,mess around and he will tell the boss about her.She answered ̈You know what I can do to you if you open. your trap?" Crooks stared hopelessly at her, and then he sat down on his bunk and drew into himself. She closed on him. "You know what I could do?