Of Mice And MenOutcasts Essay Research Paper

Of Mice and Men

In the novel, Of Mice and Men, Crooks and Curley s wife could both be considered outcasts. Crooks could be considered an outcast because of his race. Curley s wife could be considered an outcast because most of the characters believe trouble always follows her. Both Crooks and Curley s wife are thought of as social outcasts for various reasons, such as race and reputation. Many examples are stated throughout the novel in different situations with other characters.

Crooks is mainly thought of as an outcasts because of his race. This was a common issue during the early 1900 s when the story took place. Black people were segregated from the rest of society because of the color of their skin. Crooks realizes he is an outcast, and in the scene where Lennie goes into Crooks room and asks him why he isn t wanted, Crooks replies, Cause I m black. They play cards in there, but I can t play because I m black. They say I stink. Well, I tell you, you all of you stink to me. Crooks is well aware of the issue of segregation and has to accept the fact that because of his race he will always be treated differently than white people.

Curley s Wife is considered an outcast because she is just that, the wife of Curley. All of the men on the farm try to avoid Curley because they know he seems like a person who is always looking for trouble. His wife is a very flirtatious woman mainly because all of the men ignore her and she is always complaining how lonely she gets. For example, in one scene where she came into the barn looking for Curley, Crooks told her to go along and that they didn t want any trouble. Curley s wife responded, Well, I ain t giving you no trouble. Think I don t like to talk to somebody ever once in a while. Think I like to stick in that house alla time? What she was referring to was the fact that she usually stays in the house all of the time because Curley doesn t want her to be around the other guys, and this is why she complains about being lonely all the time.

In the novel Crooks is an outcast because of his race and is segregated from the white men on the farm. Curley s wife is an outcast because all of the men know that if they interact with her most likely Curley would come after them. They always tell her to go away to avoid a situation, like when Crooks spoke for himself, Candy and Lennie and told her, Maybe you better go along to your own house now. We don t want no trouble. Crooks knows that he is different and therefore treated differently, and since he has no right to associate with white people, he feels they have no right to associate with him, such as when he stated to Lennie, You got no right to come in my room. This here s my room. Nobody got any right in here but me. These are examples of how both these characters feel about being treated like outcasts.

Many examples of how these characters are considered outcasts are stated throughout the novel in different situations with other characters. Crooks race is the main reason why he is an outcast in the story. Curley s wife s tendencies tend too bring about trouble, like if Curley sees her with the other guys he would get angry, that is the main reason why she is an outcast. Crooks realizes he is an outcast, because he is black, but Curley s wife doesn t like the fact she is like an outcast because all the other men try to ignore her to avoid trouble. In conclusion, these are some of the reasons why Crooks and Curley s wife could be considered outcasts.