Lennie Small is a rather ironic man; he is delineated as an enormous and powerful man but ability wise he is slow, innocent and childlike. With Lennie, Steinbeck mainly follows the theme of innocence within the novel. Lennie shares the same dream with George but his perspective is different to of that George’s. George wants his own land so he can live with freedom whereas Lennie desires to keep “furry rabbits” and tend them. As Steinbeck portrays Lennie in this way, so the reader feels sympathy for him, as we would say he has a mental disability but this would have not been recognised at the time of the “American Depression” as people would have considered Lennie as strange. In-addition the dream for Lennie petting “furry rabbits” on his own farm will provide contentment and security for him. Despite his innocence, Lennie is still capable of great violence. Steinbeck constantly compares Lennie to various animals but comparison to a dog is quite significant. This comparison is apparent, such as Lennie is George’s only friend and the dog is Candy’s only companion. Also Lennie is dependent on George to be his faithful protector like the dog is loyal to Candy and relies on him. Furthermore Lennie’s hands were the reason he kills Curley’s wife, which Steinbeck compares to those of a dogs, calling them “huge paws” and also saying that he “pawed up the hay.” The repetition of the noun “paws” hints at the significance of the huge and powerful hands which Lennie beholds. “The way a bear drags its paws.” The verb “drag “emphasises tiredness and powerlessness which reflects Lennie’s uncontrollable strength which leads him to violence but I think the violence that leads is accidental because of Lennie’s desire to pet soft things which his desires which are innocent motivate which him in order for this to happen. Curley’s wife’s death is foreshadowed by Lennie’s obsession with soft things. All the living things that Lennie pets have resulted in the death of them such as mice and the puppy. This gives the reader the impression that Curley’s wife could end up meeting death whilst the unaware Lennie. This is a perfect example to show how innocent one’s desires can lead to such catastrophic events.
In-comparison, George realises the difficulty of making his dream come true to share with Lennie. On one hand he wants to be independent but there is Lennie whom we know has a disability which George has ultimately taken responsibility for only his life but also his death. However George’s dream of owning a farm which he desires and shares with Lennie who desires to pet soft things. Which for George, the dream of the farm parallels the security for Lennie. As George is torn between looking after Lennie and achieving his dream. If he chooses his dream, Lennie would be left to suffer which George cannot do as Lennie is his fellow companion. However if he chooses Lennie then he will have to face the harsh reality of not achieving his dream and work as a migrant worker for the rest of his life. But as we know George kills Lennie at the end. Without Lennie, George relinquishes his hope for a different life. Lennie was the only thing that distinguished his life from the lives of other men and gave him a special sense of purpose. With Lennie gone, his hopes cannot be sustained. The grim note on which the story closes on where George and Lennie’s dream first began and ended suggests that dreams have no place in a world filled with such injustice and adversity. As Steinbeck explores the theme of fate and powerlessness. As Destiny cannot be controlled or changed to suit the needs of motivate a person.
Through Crooks, Steinbeck exposes the bitterness, the anger, and the helplessness of the black American who struggles to be recognized as a human being, let alone have a place of his own due to his coloured background. With Crooks Steinbeck constantly explores how the theme of isolation and limitations of dreams has affected in him being miserable and self-defenceless. Crooks desires a companion as he is aware that this once was a reality. “The white kids came to play at our place.” Steinbeck uses the verb “play” which insinuates unlimited happiness and joy. As the phrase “white kids” suggests there was no discrimination; which Steinbeck explores the theme of innocence. In-addition this is also implies how Crooks childhood was content contrariety to the current situation which is serious suggests how Crook’s present is very different in contrast to his childhood. Now he has become isolated and insecure because he is black man who is segregated-for this reason Steinbeck wants the reader to feel sympathy for him. As any black person would be separated from the white society, where the black person would be left alone to suffer and whereas the white society could do anything they want which was very communal at the time of the “American Depression”. Crooks is in conflict (whether he wants a companion or not) and Steinbeck uses irony to express this. On one hand, it shows that Crooks desires a companion. “Book ain’t no good, a guy needs someone to be near him.” The noun “needs” implies the need of human interaction, need of company and security. Which suggests his books are just an object and cannot be compared with human communication. Steinbeck portrays him like this, to shows the reader how Crooks is actually lone and is isolated from the world, as it shows he desires freedom. A black person being discriminated was very common at this time. On the other hand, when Lennie comes into Crook’s room he suddenly becomes uncivil and defensive as he imagines a big guy like Lennie could cause trouble for him; here the theme of prejudice is explored. “I ain’t wanted in the bunkhouse, and you ain’t wanted in my room.” Steinbeck uses the repetition of “ain’t wanted” emphasises the rejection that Crooks feels. This phrase also implies that Crook’s wants Lennie to feel empathy-feel his pain of isolation and segregation. The use of pronouns “I” and “you” reflects the separation between Crook’s and the other ranch workers. Crook’s coloured background not only reflects him not having a companion but his dreams and desires are also limited because Crook’s has no rights to what so ever or even speak out loud to express his inner feelings and even if he did he would be punished because he is black, in the society he resides in is racist. Which Black people had to be separate or stay away from the white society. As the white society were treaded better than the black society which the black society suffered from greatly. As this was very common at the time of the American Depression. However Crooks is optimistic that his dreams will come true, Steinbeck uses the phrase “it’s just in their heads” to indicate the frustration Crook’s feels because he knows that he will never be able to achieve his dreams because of his colour, as nobody would listen to him as the same thing would happen to any other black person at that time as they would be segregated from the white people. Furthermore Crook’s has a negative view of others ambitions too. The noun “head” implies imagination and something extremely difficult to gain; relating to the American Dream. Steinbeck presents Crooks this way to the reader, so it illustrates a picture in the readers mind on how black people were despaired of achieving their dreams and desires. As this is a perfect example of how obstacles have come in the path from a person not achieving their dreams and desires.
When Crooks sees his opportunity to be part of the dream with George and Lennie he becomes a different person. The prospect of friendship and companionship allows him to make the initial attempt to bridge the gap between black and white. The way in which he asks suggests he is feeling extremely awkward in doing so. “I'd come an' lend a hand”. I felt that this was a very brave thing to do considering the racial tension in society at that time. Therefore the dream for companionship must have been really important to him. As If the dream were to succeed it would put an end to his misery and he would be able to live properly and be treated equally. However I feel that this quote also conveys a message from Crook’s angle of perspective that we are powerless to control our destiny. As Crooks has this dream to put an end to his seclusion. I think that Steinbeck portrays Crooks in this manner to the reader, so the reader understands how important a dream or a desire is for an individual which brings hope and prosperity to one’s life. As dreaming was very common at the time of the “American Depression” in order to achieve the “American Dream”. But most people did not achieve their dream but in fact people were hopeless working as migrant workers all their life. This perfectly demonstrates one’s dreams and desires in order to live a life of joyfulness.
Crooks is equivocal (vague) between accomplishing his dream of having freedom which leads to his security and finding a companion to fight his isolation. Perhaps what Crooks wants more than anything else is a sense of belonging (being equal)—to enjoy simple pleasures such as the right to enter the bunkhouse or to play cards with the other men. As Crooks becomes part of the dream is an indication of Crooks' loneliness and insecurity. But then he is kicked out of the dream. Where, then, can he find freedom which provides security for his future? But there is no freedom which will provide no security for anyone in a prejudiced world, least of all a black stable hand with a crooked back. On the other hand if he does not have freedom, Crooks desires a companion to battle against his isolation and to talk to someone, however this is not possible for Crook’s due to his background and racial discrimination as he knows that he is hopeless. Even though we know that he does not accomplish his dream of having freedom or finding a companion.
Curley’s wife is the only female character on the ranch and also the character that is discriminated the mosts ended up in a similar or arguably worse situation. When she speaks to Lennie about her dream she speaks with such a level of excitement that her belief in the dream appears to be very solemn. 'Her words tumbled out in a passion of communication.' The verb “tumbled” suggests the words she is saying are falling out of her mouth, as this suggests she is not thinking before speaking them. As the word “passion” hints at her desire for fulfilling her dream which infers (proves) her dream meant a lot to her and had an effect on her life. As this would have led to her freedom to do what she wants, instead of listening to Curley. However it could also insinuate her boundless enthusiasm towards her desires which shows her strong emotional outpour of affection towards her dream, but her dream cannot be fulfilled because she has trapped herself by marrying Curley. Furthermore at the time of the American Depression women were not taken seriously for their desires which had affected life which made her talk to other men. I think that a person’s environment (surroundings) at the time of the American Depression had affected one’s life of what they dreamed and desired, which in this case Curley’s wife.
But Curley’s wife is very lonely; she puts great effort in her looks in order to attract men but also dresses up provocatively which I think is a lame attempt to seek attention in order to remove her solitude. Her “heavily made up” appearance portrays her desperation to be noticed which can be seen as her desire because she is isolated, this implies nobody wants to talk to her even though she is married, she is a possession of Curley’s which can be chucked away which Curley shows no love towards her, as she is trapped in her loveless marriage. As any woman acting in this manner was very uncommon at the time of the American depression. Curley’s wife makes use of her stunning body to gain the attention of the ranchers to soothe her loneliness. These acts give her a sense of relief and make her feel wanted so she can share her personal concerns and experiences which is evidenced through “She’s got the eye.” Steinbeck uses the noun “eye” to imply that Curley’s wife is unfaithful with Curley and she is always looking for other men so that she can engage them into a conversation. However this also shows how Curley’s wife is isolated from the rest and desires a companion which she can talk to but also love, as her marriage is a flop. But at the time of the American Depression a ranch full of men was no place for a woman to be. I think that Steinbeck is portraying her in this manner to convey the reader how lonely actually she is but also her desperation in order to be with somebody who loves her.
Curley’s insecurities towards his wife force her into flirting with the others but most importantly dressing up beautifully. As many do not talk to her due to her reputation, “Her finger nails were red.” The colour rouge connotes romance, love and flirtatiousness but also hints at danger; as the ranch workers know interaction with Curley’s wife can lead to trouble because of her desire of fighting her isolation. Which the predominant association between red and Curley's wife connotes danger in relation to red blood, which foreshadows future events within the novel. Where at the start Steinbeck presents Curley’s wife as a villain and our negative feelings towards her develop as names like “jailbait” and “tart” are given to her. At the same time Steinbeck changes the readers feelings without Curley’s wife changing. Steinbeck's description of Curley’s wife after her death is evidently more complimentary, as we feel sympathy for her. Which Steinbeck presents her death as a “release of misery.” The word “misery” implies isolation, rejection and discrimination Curley’s wife had to face at the time of the American Depression, the real thing that isolates her is that she is a female in an all-male world. In-addition she uses her beauty to attract men to fight against her isolation towards her in the ranch due to her reputation, as she desires a companion which she can talk to. This suggests how her life has sculpted her personality which derives an increasingly sympathetic and piteous view on Curley's wife from the reader. This would also support Steinbeck's approach in where characters are influenced by their relationship to their surroundings and are essentially controlled by the environment in which they are situated through chance for e.g. Curley’s wife. Also Steinbeck compares her “soft hair” with the rough hay-the rough texture compared to softness is like darkness to light. As I think that Steinbeck's negative representation of Curley's wife could be an example of moralization, however it is not negative because Steinbeck advocates misogyny but is presenting the reality of society at the time.