Of Mice and Men Analysis

“Great spirits have always encountered opposition from mediocre minds.” This was said by Albert Einstein over 50 years ago, but is still relevant today as it describes all bullying behaviors. This relevance is shown through modern literature by the way that the characters interact. John Steinbeck, in Of Mice and Men, uses Curley’s attitude towards Lennie, Carlson killing Candy’s dog, and conversation between Crooks and Lennie to show that the emotionally insecure oppress the innocent.

When George and Lennie entered the ranch, Lennie was immediately harassed by Curley due to his mental handicap and his large size (pages 25-26). Curley, being a small person, was jealous of those larger than him and hated them. Curley was insecure; he attempted to control his marriage, he loved his wife as an object instead of a person, and he was aggressive towards everyone.

Another way that John Steinbeck shows oppression of the innocent is when Carlson decided that Candy’s dog was too old to be useful on the ranch, so he offered to kill it. Carlson promised that the dog “wouldn’t even quiver”. Candy declined the offer at first, but is pressured by other workers at the ranch. Carlson couldn’t