Of Mice and Men Essay Example

In the book, Of Mice and Men John Steinbeck included a lot of social commentary, for example the treatment of society’s “misfits”. The treatment of society’s “misfits” was very noticeable in the book, in chapter 4 the only people who did not go to town were the “misfits”. They all either had a disability or they were women (Curley’s wife). Curley’s wife is a “misfit” because she is the only woman on the entire ranch. The men treat her badly at the ranch and call her names and never talk to her unless the person is alone and with her: “If I catch any one man, and he is alone, I get along fine with him. But just let two of the guy get together and you will not talk” (p.77). Lennie is a “misfit” because he is immense; also he is mentally slow which also sets him apart from everyone else. The people at the ranch and people in general treat Lennie well except for Curley. Curley hates Lennie because he is immense. Besides that sometimes people call him dumb to his face. Crooks is a “misfit” in the book because he is the only black person we know in the book and he has a crooked back due to a horse kicking him. In the book Crooks is the misfit who is treated worst, he gets beat by the boss of the ranch and is threatened to be lynched by Curley’s wife in chapter 4. The last member in this group of “misfits” is Candy. Candy is a “misfit” because he is very old and he has no right arm because a machine at the ranch cut it off. Candy is treated decently, but when Carlson wants to kill his dog. It does not matter what Candy’s opinion was his dog is still killed. One thing that is good about the treatment of Candy is that he is given money and is able to keep a job when his arm is cut off at the ranch. To conclude, John Steinbeck put social commentary in the book, part of that being the treatment of the “misfits” of society. The treatment of the “misfits” was very noticeable in the