In the book “Of Mice and Men”, the author, John Steinbeck has two characters who live in the same ranch and how they are both leaders but one is respected and the other isn’t because of how they treat others. One of the characters is named Slim. He is the character that is well respected by others because of his humble and friendly personality. The other character who no one likes is named Curley. Curley is very pugnacious because he has a small stature. According to the book, he likes to pick fights with guys bigger than himself so that if he wins, he seems outstanding, and if he looses, others pity him.
A big part of how they are treated is based of off what their personality is like. Slim got this name from his appearance of being tall and handsome. His position in the ranch is the leader of jerkline skinners. When he was first introduced in the story, he was called a “good fella” (28) by the old swamper, Candy. Then when he appeared in the story, Steinbeck described him as the “prince of the ranch” (33). The disliked character, Curley, got his name based off his “tightly curled hair” (25). Curley is the son of the boss of the ranch which gives him power around the ranch. He’s a former boxer and no one really likes him.
With that information, the two characters' contrasting personalities are also shown through how they treat new people. For instance, when George and Lennie, the main characters of the book who travel together as migrant workers, arrive at the ranch, Curley's attitude towards them was rudeness. According to the book, when Curley meets George and Lennie, “he glanced coldly” (25) at them. From that, Curley gave George and Lennie an unwelcoming feeling. George even said, “Say, what the hell's he got on his shoulder? Lennie didn't do nothing to him” (26) after Curley left the room. Slim on the other hand, gave George and Lennie a very friendly feeling after talking in the bunkhouse in chapter 3. George started the small talk to thank Slim for giving Lennie a puppy then and their conversation grew longer, Slim got to know the George and Lennie little bit more. “Funny how you an' him string along together” (39). From this quote, Slim approved of George and Lennie’s relationship which made George trust him a little more to tell him about his past.
Another reason why Slim and Curley are respected differently is based on the actions they took during the chain events that led to Curley having to go to the doctor’s. Curley always picked fights. When he couldn’t find his wife he falsely accused Slim for being with her. Then after everyone, including Curley, learn of Slim’s is innocence, everyone makes fun of Curley. But out of all the men, Curley targeted Lennie. He starts a fight with Lennie because Curley thinks Lennie is laughing at him for making a mistake, but in reality, Lennie was dreaming about tending his rabbits. From that event, Lennie breaks Curley’s hand by defending himself. That leaves Curley a little unconscious. Then Slim steps in to become George and Lennie’s hero. George is really scared they will get fired for breaking the boss’ son’s hand, so Slim says ominously towards Curley, “ I think you got your han' caught in a machine. If you don't tell nobody what happened, we ain't going to. But you jus' tell an' try to get this guy canned and we'll tell ever'body, an' then will you get the laugh” (64).
In conclusion, Steinbeck showed how two people who live under the same roof and have the same social status would still be viewed differently and the proof is in their actions and attitudes towards others.
No comments:
Post a Comment