Stereotypes In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

Words: 611
Pages: 3

“Stereotypes are fast and easy, but they are lies, and the truth takes it’s time.”- Deb Caletti. There are many modern day stereotypes that are portrayed in “ Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck. Many of those stereotypes are sexism,racism,and intellectually degrading. For example Lennie, who is mentally disabled, but his appearance is a strong , big mean with a mean face. However Curley’s wife is the most stereotyped because, George, Candy, slim,ect. All think that she is just a tart and she’s got the eye for everyone, but what they don’t know is that she is lonely and just wants somebody to talk to. Everybody stereotypes from the outside not the inside, or their race or religion ,and that is how stereotyping started. Steinbeck shows how labeling and stereotyping influence how people look at the world by making us look at people differently than they already are. Labeling and stereotyping make us look at people differently then they are. Based on lennie’s appearance people would think that he is big and mean. While they were hiding in the woods, george ask “ well how the hell did she know you just’ wanted to feel her dress? She jerks back and hold on like a mouse”{steinbeck 11}. Lennie is a strong, huge man and his appearance is intimidating. Even though lennie was just trying to feel how soft her dress was, the women assumed that he …show more content…
Based on Lennie’s appearance people would think that he would fight anyone because he looks so big and mean. Lennie was just minding his own business when Curley started to fight him “George” he cried “make ‘um let me alone, George”{steinbeck 63}. Lennie was not hurting anyone, but curley was trying to fight him anyway. Curley assumed that just because he was big he could fight Lennie. Curley didn’t know that Lennie was actually gentle, because he prejudged him. Therefore, when you stereotype people you look at them differently than they