A Portrait Of Racism

Chapter 4 in Of Mice and Man, paints a very realistic portrait of racism in the 1930s. Discuss at least two ways in which racism is explored in this chapter. Include quotes and your own analysis of key moments in this chapter that clearly demonstrate the racism that existed in the American 1930s. What do readers understand about racism as a result of reading this chapter?

In the 1930's racism effected everyone. It was built into their everyday lives. In chapter 4 Of Mice and Man it introduces Crook to be a lonely misunderstood man who is excluded because of his race. "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, all of you stink to me." (p.68) This quote explains that Crook is lonely and people avoid and lie to him all because he isn't a white man. They don't invite him into card games or let him sleep in the bunkhouse with all the others. Instead the push him away as if he doesn't exist and makes him stay alone in a cabin away from the other workers. When he was faced by the Curley's wife even though she had less power seeing as though she is a woman, but also hold a high amount of power because she's married to Curley, she had threatened him and seeing as though she has power he must obey and listen, leaving him to respond with "yes, ma'am". Since he is the only black human being with in miles, "There wasn't another colored family for miles around. And now there ain't a colored man on this ranch an' there's jus' one family in Soledad." he feels even more helpless, this proves his loneliness is obvious. Racism in the 1930's was crucial to the point where you felt as if you were dirt o the bottom of someones shoes.