Discrimination of Women in Mice and Men

Some extra reading for you -

In Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men women are portrayed as discriminated. In the times John Steinbeck lived in women were not held in high regard but they were just present to serve men. However, they still tried to yearn for a better future by exploiting men.

The character Curley's wife in the novel is a victim of society and her dream. She is married to Curley who neglects her and so because of her loneliness she is always seeking attention. She wears too much makeup and dresses like a "whore" with red fingernails and red shoes with ostrich feathers. Steinbeck uses this imagery to portray her as provocative. Curley's wife knows her beauty is her power, and she uses it to flirt with the ranch hands and to make her husband jealous.

Steinbeck's initial portrayal of Curley's wife shows her to be a mean and seductive temptress. She is paralleled to Eve in the Garden of Eden. The same way Eve tempted Adam, Curley's wife shattered the dream of George and Lennie owning a farm.

However, even Curley's wife needed to dream and hoped for a better future. She dreamt of becoming a Hollywood actress. Her beauty would have helped her in her dream which this makes her more vulnerable since she was not successful. In the last scene, when she dies, she is described as innocent. Steinbeck shows us that even the people who are portrayed as the worst, may have some humanity in them.

Steinbeck also refers to other women in the novel apart from Curley's wife. Although not much mentioned, the girl in Weed is also of significance in this novel. It was due to her that Lennie and George had to flee from their job in Weed. One can conclude that the girl in Weed and Curley's wife are both temptations that encouraged his curiosity and that he could not resist.

Just like Lennie could not resist to pet soft objects that reassured him, ranch men could not resist seeking immediate gratification. Susy's brothel house shows clearly that women were just objects in the hands of man which makes them victims of society. Many of the ranch workers used to go there and participate in bordellos. It is clear that women in the novel are used and discarded. They had no importance. In fact Curley's wife's name is not even mentioned. She is the one left behind and she was the one who created most tension in the ranch. Nevertheless she had fear of her husband.

In spite of all the evil associated with women Steinbeck also gives us a maternal vision of Aunt Clara, whose role is later taken up by the good character of George. Therefore, in the novel we are also made aware that some form of goodness within woman does exist.

However it seems as if there can never be any peace in the world where women are present because once Eve corrupted Adam in the Garden of Eden, the world has remained tainted forever.



(Source: http://voices.yahoo.com/the-role-women-play-mice-men-3387290.html?cat=38)

Role of Women in Of Mice and Men

When looking at how women are viewed in Mice and Men there are several things that you must remember.

1. There are three types of women - Firstly, the 'girl next door' who provides stability through marriage and home life - the nice girl to settle down with and make roots. Secondly there is the prostitutes who are the only type of woman the ranch members have access to. Lastly, there is Curley's Wife, who we have looked at a lot in lessons.  
2. Woman, or the lack of, are a symbol of failure for men. George can't have the type of stability that he dreams of because according to him Lennie is always 'on my tail'.
3. Curley's wife lets men think that he wears Vaseline in glove to impress the other ranch men and highlight their failings.. To prove how manly he is. He isn't try to impress his wife here. He does not respect her because he spreads this talk with the other men.

What role do Dreams play in Chapter 2?

What are the significant issues explored by Steinbeck in Chapter 2 of Mice and Men? 

Very brief synopsis of the chapter -

(George and Lennie arrive at the ranch where they meet an old guy called Candy who give them the lowdown on the ranch. They speak to the boss who questions their work history and become suspicious when George does all the talking. Candy tells them about the others who live on the ranch; in particular that of Curley of his wife 'Curley's Wife'. George warns Lennie of where to go if something bad happens. George reminds Lennie that they need to work there long enough to be able to buy a ranch of their own. 

We will only focus on one theme in this post - One of the most important being DREAMS! 

All the characters in this novella have dreams so they don't give up. It makes their life worth living and to survive the effects of the Depression. But dreams, hopes and planning for the future can also hurt them... as we see later in the novella.  Everyone knows these dream are futile but they still have hopes and aspirations... although Crooks might be the only exception. This is because the characters never regard their hopes and ambitions as impossible things to fulfill – they see them instead as concrete and realistic plans.

Questions to consider...

• Does the dream farm mean the same thing to Lennie as it does to George? 
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• Do others on the farm also have dreams? Is it important to share these dreams with others, or is it more important that the dreams be kept secret?

Chapter 1 foreshadowing dread of what is to come.

What are some examples of foreshadowing in the opening chapter of Mice and Men?

The Salinas River and its surrounding area is described in chapter 1. The name 'Soledad', which is the location of this story is an interesting one. It means loneliness and as well know everyone ends up alone. Even before we meet Lennie and George, this area is described in great detail.  In this opening chapter we learn about the hopes and dreams that George and Lennie have for the future but this also foreshadows to the reader the theme that Steinbeck wants the reader to leave with.

The dead mouse in Lennie's pocket, and George's reaction to this, is also of key importance. It foreshadows the future of these two individuals. Lennie did not kill the mouse intentionally but this shows the reader that Lennie is not in control of his body and there are consequences of this later in the story, a sense of dread to what is to come. 

The opening paragraph portrays this area as the perfect Garden of Eden, untouched by man through the golden imagery describing the physical landscape of the Galiban Mountains and wildlife. Written in the present tense, this area will continue to live on well after George and Lennie, who are written about in the past tense. 

It is important that you are aware of the many examples of foreshadowing used by Steinbeck throughout this novella. 

Social and Historical Context of 'Of Mice and Men'

Wall Street Crash

When the Wall Street stock market crashed in October 1929, the world economy was plunged into the Great Depression. By the winter of 1932, America was in the depths of the greatest economic depression in its history.

The number of unemployed people reached upwards of 13 million. Many people lived in primitive conditions close to famine. One New York family moved into a cave in Central Park. In St Louis, more than 1,000 people lived in shacks made from scrap metal and boxes. There were many similar Hoovervilles all over America.

Between 1 and 2 million people travelled the country desperately looking for work. Signs saying 'No Men Wanted' were displayed all over the country.

By the time of the election in November 1932, Hoover's popularity had reached rock bottom. It was not even safe for him to go onto the streets to campaign. After his heavy defeat, Hoover told his friends, "we are at the end of our string... there is nothing more we can do". The American economy did not fully recover until the USA entered the Second World War in December 1941.

 

 

 

Effects of the Depression

1. Unemployment - 13 million people were out of work.
2. Industrial production dropped by 45 per cent between 1929 and 1932.
3. House-building fell by 80 per cent between 1929 and 1932.
4. The entire American banking system reached the brink of collapse.
5. From 1929 to 1932, 5,000 banks went out of business.
6. Although many people went hungry, the number of recorded deaths from starvation during the Depression was 110, although many other illnesses and deaths were probably related to a lack of nutrition.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/history/mwh/usa/walldepressionrev1.shtml

Introduction to 'Of Mice and Men'

Hello Year 11. Over the summer holidays you are expected to read Of Mice and Men and complete the set homework provided. Both set 1 and set 2 will be doing this. Over the summer holidays I will also post background information that will help you with both the one controlled assessment you will need to complete and preparation for your examination in May 2013. Please read these and make a note of any key ideas that you think will be useful.

Synopsis: John Steinbeck's classic story of loyalty and friendship focuses on two travelling farm workers, George and Lennie. George has taken on responsibility for the mildly retarded Lennie, who constantly seems to fall into trouble of one sort or another.  George and Lennie don't plan to travel forever - someday, they will have a little place of their own...

How to write a PEE paragraph referring to both texts

·         POINT - In R&J Shakespeare uses lots of light/dark imagery (METAPHORS AND hyperbole) to describe how bright Juliet is in her beauty whereas in the sonnet 130 Shakespeare focuses on the physical appearance of his mistress and makes her sound very unattractive.

·         EXAMPLES - (rich jewel in an Ethiopes ear) (METAPHOR)

·         Snowy dove trooping with crows(METAPHOR)

·         She hangs upon the cheek of night

·         She teaches the torches to burn bright (hyperbole)

·         SONNET 130 – If snow be white, then her breast be dun

·         EXPLANATION – In Sonnet 130 Shakespeare is mocking the use of clichés by referring to snow be white whereas in R&J Romeo uses clichés to describe Juliet’s physical appearance. This section gives you possible A grade

·         What do you learn from the quotations you have used to support your point?