Social Darwinism In Of Mice And Men

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Of Mice and Men is a short novel by John Steinbeck originally published in 1937. Of Mice and Men is set in the 1930's at the time of the Great Depression. The novella follows two migrant ranch workers, George Milton and Lennie Small, as they roam from California ranch to ranch in the hopes of achieving their American dream. It ends tragically after Lennie accidently takes the life of Curly's wife, leading to George taking Lennie's life. This is largely inevitable as Steinbeck wanted to communicate the tragedy during the Great Depression and the themes; the American dream is an unachievable ideal, society can be cruel and predatory towards those with mental and physical disabilities, as well as artificial barriers and social constructs can …show more content…
During the Great Depression, there was very much a survival of the fittest mentality adopted among people. Those viewed to be weaker or those with a weakness were cast aside to make way for people who were stronger. The people who were seen as weak were isolated and preyed upon by others. Steinbeck brings to light the social Darwinism of the time and how it reveals the worst of human nature. Candy is regarded to hold a low place in the social hierarchy as he is aged, hunchbacked and is missing a hand. Much like Candy Crooks, a man with a crooked back is often preyed upon for this. Lennie's mental disability is almost on the level as Candy's physical disabilities. Although these men cannot help their ‘weaknesses', rather than receiving sympathy they receive scorn. Steinbeck uses Candy's dog to add to this message, as the dog has committed no crime except for smelling foul and being old it was killed because it was viewed as useless. "He ain't no good to you Candy" "why'n't you just shoot him?" Carlson does not seem to understand why anyone would want to keep such an old dog especially if it smells bad. This represents how people with disabilities or weaknesses are cast aside without compassion. Candy fears that he was only kept around as long as he has because he lost his hand working for the …show more content…
The American dream is a flawed ideal as in a time of worldwide depression a dream as full of hope was quickly diminished, society can be cruel towards those with weaknesses because they were no longer seen as useful and artificial barriers can lead to inhumanity as people were afraid of a world outside the certain ‘comfort' they bring. All of these themes add to the necessary tragedy of Lennie's death because it successfully shows the flaws of society. These flaws from the 1930's are still relevant today as society has changed but in many ways, it has stayed the
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