Introduction
In John Steinbeck's novel Of Mice and Men, the characters all live on the margins of society, each struggling to survive in a harsh and unforgiving world. Despite this, each character has some level of power, whether it be physical, emotional, or social. Two characters in particular, Curley's wife and Crooks, have vastly different levels of power and this impacts their relationship to each other in significant ways.
Thesis Statement
Throughout the novel Of Mice and Men, power relationships are portrayed as unbalanced, with loneliness playing a significant role in shaping the characters' relationships and perception of power. The portrayal of women also relates to power dynamics and differences.
Body Paragraph #1
In the novel, Curley's wife is portrayed as a lonely and isolated figure, with very little power in her relationships with the other characters. Her lack of power is evident in her relationship with Crooks, a black stable hand who is also lonely and isolated. Despite their shared isolation, Curley's wife's powerlessness is in stark contrast to Crooks' relative power as a stable hand.
"Crooks, the black stable hand, had his own cubby hole...He had long ago left behind the usual resentment against the white men" (Steinbeck, 66).
"Curley's wife stood in the doorway and looked at the men...she had full, rouged lips and wide-spaced eyes, heavily made up. Her fingernails were red" (Steinbeck, 92).
The contrast between Crooks' stable and respected position and Curley's wife's powerless and objectified position highlights the unbalanced power dynamics in the novel.
Body Paragraph #2
Loneliness also plays a significant role in shaping the characters' relationships and perception of power. Curley's wife's loneliness and isolation lead her to seek out the company of the other ranch hands, despite the danger and objectification that comes with it. Crooks, on the other hand, is able to find solace in his books and the company of his own kind.
"Curley's wife says, 'I get lonely...A girl got a right to talk to a guy if she wants to'" (Steinbeck, 92).
"Crooks says, 'A guy goes nuts if he ain't got nobody. Don't make no difference who the guy is, long's he's with you'" (Steinbeck, 73).
This demonstrates how loneliness and isolation can lead to a loss of power and agency, as seen in Curley's wife's relationship with the ranch hands, while the presence of companionship can provide a sense of power and agency, as seen in Crooks' relationship with Lennie.
Conclusion
In John Steinbeck's novel Of Mice and Men, the characters all live on the margins of society, each struggling to survive in a harsh and unforgiving world. Despite this, each character has some level of power, whether it be physical, emotional, or social. Two characters in particular, Curley's wife and Crooks, have vastly different levels of power and this impacts their relationship to each other in significant ways. The portrayal of power dynamics and differences in the novel, with loneliness playing a significant role in shaping the characters' relationships and perception of power, highlights the harsh realities of life for marginalized and isolated individuals. The novel's themes are still very much relevant today, making it a classic and timeless piece of literature.