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Lack Of Freedom In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

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A hundred-dollar bill does not change if you put it in a paper sack or Gucci wallet, the value is going to be same. The same idea can be applied to people; it doesn’t matter what color their skin is they are same inside. In John Steinbeck’s novel Of Mice and Men, the character of Crooks is unable to achieve his dream due to racism. Steinbeck shows the theme that a lack of freedom prevents people from being able to achieve their dream is exhibited by Crooks. Race plays an important role in John Steinbeck’s novel Of Mice and Men, which includes the character Crooks who illustrate how being a different race is often harmful to survival in a hostile and racist world. In the story, Crooks is a victim of racism, his life choices are limited, and …show more content…

In The Key Reason Why Racism Remains Alive And Well In Americatalks, by Colbert I. King talks about how some people treat others differently due to their race. King also talks about white student using offending words against African American in this article. King shows that by using this quote “Epithets, chants and derogatory language about African Americans are indicators of an underlying problem within the offending white students, namely an antagonism against blacks based upon feelings of white superiority” (King). This quote also connects back to Steinbeck’s novel Of Mice and Men, and the character Crooks because of his race other workers on the ranch treat him differently. He is separated from other workers, and he also can’t go in the bunkhouse where all the other guys stay. Other workers on the ranch use offending words to describe him. In Chapter 2, Candy describes Crooks using this quote “The guys wouldn’t let him use his feet, so that nigger got him. If he coulda use his feet, Smitty says he woulda killed the nigger” (Steinbeck 20). Steinbeck shows that everyone tried to put Crooks down and they use offensive word “nigger” to describe him. The worker name Smitty, even tries to kill him. Crooks have harsh life on the ranch. This quote reveals about social injustice in society during the 1930s that being from different race at that time was harmful to survival. Along with being a victim of racism Crooks also has limited life

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