Social Barriers in Of Mice and Men

Social Barriers In society, social barriers place limits on people and greatly influence them, especially on those who are affected by various kinds of discrimination, such as racism and sexism. Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck, explores the social barriers of the 1930s placed upon the people of the time. In chapter four of Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck exemplifies how social barriers prevent the characters from achieving authentic relationships. When these barriers are eliminated, friendships and dreams can be realized; however, fear and misunderstanding prevent this from happening. Steinbeck demonstrates how social barriers impact communication between people who are very different. Lennie, a large, mentally challenged man, wishes to check on his puppy, which is in the cabin of Crooks, a racially challenged African American: “‘You got no right to come into my room. This here’s my room. Nobody’s got any right in here but me.’ … ‘Why ain’t you wanted?’ Lennie asked. ‘Cause I’m black. They play cards in there, but I can’t play because I’m black’” (68). Crooks responds to Lennie approaching his cabin with a belligerent remark and expresses his wish to remain the sole one in his cabin. As Crooks and Lennie converse, Crooks sees that Lennie is different from the others on the ranch – that he is retarded – but also the fact that he does not judge people. Crooks expresses how he feels about Lennie: “Crooks scowled, but Lennie’s disarming smile defeated him. ‘Come on in and set a while,’ Crooks said. ‘Long as you won’t get out and leave me alone, you might as well set down.’ His tone was a little more friendly” (69). After realizing that Lennie was a person of sincerity and candor, Crooks decided to allow Lennie in, the first time he had let anyone in since the boss and Slim had been in Crooks’ cabin. Crooks also felt like he had someone to talk to, the first time in a long while that he had been able to do so. Lennie made Crooks feel like he was more