Migrant Workers In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

Would you choose money over happiness or would you choose to live the life you wanted, no matter how long it could take for you to achieve? Not many Americans are lucky enough to experience the American Dream. The migrant workers during the Great Depression did not have money or strive for success. They would spend their hard earned money the night they received it. As a result, many migrant workers were marginalized. However, that was not the only issue occurring during this time period. The societal problems that are exposed in John Steinbeck’s novella, Of Mice and Men, include ableism and racism. John Steinbeck introduces a few characters who stay on the farm, but they do not contribute much. The other migrant workers use derogatory words

I ain’t saying he’s bright. He ain’t, but I say he’s a damn good worker’” (Steinbeck 22). Lennie lacks the judgment to make the right choices. Lennie is put aside because of his mental disabilities, but is kept on the farm because of his strengths. Lennie shares a moment with another character when they bond over Candy, realizing that because of his hand he is also talked down to and marginalized. As Candy was recumbent on his bed helplessly talking to Lennie he mumbled, “‘ "I ain't much good with one hand.That's why they give me a job swampin'’”(Steinbeck 59). On the farm, Candy is used for sweeping and not much more. Candy does not play games with the other migrant workers because they play games that he can not participate in as a result of his physical disabilities. Similarly Steinbeck introduces a character who has a physical disability, but he is judged because he is African American. With this in mind, John Steinbeck introduces Crooks to bring forth the idea that racism was still happening during this time period. Steinbeck provides visual imagery by station, “Crooks' bunk was a long box filled with straw, on which his blankets were flung”(Steinbeck