Inequality Flashcards
Inequality paragraph 1 quotes and analysis - Curley’s wife
Referred to by Candy and George as ‘jail bait’ and ‘a tart’.
Curley’s wife being spoken down on in a derogatory manner creates the idea that she is nothing more than an object, and that she is a woman who will get you into trouble.
Significant as she is a product of a patriarchal society that values women as vessels, dehumanising and objectifying them as sexual objects. implied as she feels her only worth is her virginity.
Constantly craves validation from other man that aren’t Curley, as she feels she doesn’t get the attention she deserves.
Thus described as ‘a tart’ as opinions and stereotypes around Curlety’s wife reinforce her flirtatious behaviour, while she is trapped by her gender and societies expectations of it.
Inequality paragraph 2 quotes and analysis - Lennie
Inequality presented when he is ‘petting’ a mouse too hard and accidentally kills it.
This is a continuous repeating pattern throughout the novel starting small scale with animals such as mice and puppies, foreboding here treacherous future to come.
Misconceptions of non-neurotypical people during the early 20th century were common as there was minimal understanding of mental illnesses at the time and were normally sent to mental asylums, which is why George would have protected Lennie so much.
Steinbeck utilises the character of Lennie to subvert societies expectations of disabled people as a childlike mind doesn’t equate to being weak.
Lennie seen as unusual by other characters in the play who’s selfishness and self-regard meant that they believed George was exploiting Lennie as exemplified when the boss asked what ‘stake’ he had in him.
As society were unaware and didn’t help those disadvantaged as they were disregarded, Lennie never received the help and support that was essential, and as a result, his brute strength led to the murder of an innocent person.
Inequality paragraph 3 quotes and analysis - Crooks
”s’pose you didn’t have nobody. s’pose you couldn’t go into the bunk house and play rummy cause you was black’. “A guy goes nuts if he ain’t got nobody”.
Crooks is representative of US racism as he faces racial discrimination and is secluded from the social circle due to his colour - the ranch is a microcosm of the American society.
Ostracised from white people in the bunkhouse and desires to enjoy simple pleasures such as playing cards with other men, however he knows his rights through the ‘California Civil code’ as his isolation is his protection, which is symbolic of his position in society.
Crooks exhibits corrosive effects that loneliness can have on a person; evokes sympathy as origins of his cruel behaviour is made evident.
Questions his sanity due to a lack of companionship
