Prejudice
By Maren and Emma
Racial
Crooks: because Crooks is black the farmers have
a racial prejudice against him. Racism was common in this time. With the Civil Rights Movement soon approaching. He feels unwelcome in their living spaces and does not like having them in his rooms "…You go on get outta my room. I ain’t wanted in the bunk house, and you ain’t wanted in my room." "Why ain’t you wanted?" Lennie asked. "’Cause I’m black…"
"S'pose you didn't have nobody. S'pose you
couldn't go into the bunk house and play rummy 'cause you was black.” This quote comments on the exclusion that Crooks feels from the others on the farm. George patted a wrinkle out of his bed, and sat down. "The boss gave the stable buck hell?" he asked. "Sure. Ya see the stable buck’s a nigger.“
Lennie and George’s Relationship It is assumed that George is using Lennie. That he
makes him work and then takes his money because Lennie is less intelligent and seldom answers. “Say – what you sellin’?” “Huh?” “I said what stake you got on this guy? You takin’ his pay away from him?” It is rare that two men travel together in these hard times. This quote is from a conversation between the boss and George about Lennie and shows how sceptical the boss is towards their situation.
Sexism Curley’s Wife •Doesn't get a name throughout the novel •Is made out to be a tart and a rattrap •Can only get attention by being flirtatious with the men •Is not allowed to do as she pleases on the ranch
“Ranch ain’t no place for a girl”
Novel as a Whole
Although the prejudices are never addressed or consciously noted the victims of prejudice are still included as a part of the ranch.
Sexism
•It shows the limitations of rights for women in the novel in relation to the
context. Racism
Even though they discriminate against Crooks’ race they still talk kindly of him.
Lennie and George It shows the doubts that people have in the stability of relationships between
men because of the pressures in this time, such as the American Dream .