Society In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

Society shapes us in many different ways. I truly believe society tries to program us to feel, look and act certain ways at certain ages. I also think society plays a huge roll in who we are and the choices we make, whether it is good or bad. It takes a strong individual to go against the majority. Society shapes us in a tremendous amount of ways such as, our ability level. Some individuals can’t do certain tasks physically and mentally. Some individuals can’t understand as quick as everyone else can and others don’t know what’s right from wrong. Events that have happened in our lives can shape who we are and how society looks at us. In “Of Mice and Men” there is a grown man named Lennie who has the mind of a child, but no one knows that except George and people think he’s dumb. Lennie’s ability level mentally is lower than average and that is what we would call mentally challenged in today’s time, but back then society didn’t know there was such a thing as a mentally
In “The Crucible” you couldn’t dance, you could only sing hymns, you had to rest on Sunday’s, and you could only read the bible. Those who didn’t abide by those few rules would have severe punishment. If you weren’t a Puritan and if you didn’t follow the commandments you were shamed or hanged. Society during this time shaped you into a mold they sculpted. Every generation would follow the last generation and if you didn’t, you weren’t accepted in society. In “The Scarlett Letter” religion was a big deal also. You would receive strict punishment if you committed a crime and sinned. If a sin was committed then you would be shaped as a sinner by society and any association with you would be banned. Self image is very important and your reputation lasts forever, good or bad. All citizens took sides when an individual was called out for being a sinner, society and the church shaped every individual in the book “The Scarlett