This here's my room. Nobody got any right in here but me"(P- ) .
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Racism is also represented through the conflict between characters which raises the reader's social consciousness by allowing them to see the harshness of the issue. Crooks is conflicted with Curley" wife as she believes she has more rights than he does and he is also generally conflicted with all characters as he is unable to communicate with other men on equal terms. Steinbeck's characterization of Crooks represents the inequality of the time period. Racism exists widely even in today's society and different races and marginalized groups still don't have the same respect and opportunities in terms of career, social etc. .
Social Status is another issue in the novella Of Mice and Men. The abuse of social status is shown through the boss's son Curley, as he believes he holds much greater status than the other ranch workers do. Curley's wife's expresses her impression of her husband's abuse to his status, "sure I gotta a husban" you all seen him. Swell guy, aint he? Spends all his time sayin" what he's gonna do to guys he don't like"(p- ).
A good example of Steinbeck's exploration of social status is the conflict between Curley and Lennie in the scene where they have a fight and Lennie breaks Curley's hand. Lennie expects to lose his job after the conflict as Curley is the bosses son, but it was agreed that Curley would say he got his hand caught in a machine to maintain his dignity and status and for Lennie to maintain his job. Social status is conveyed through the use of conflict, between Curley and Lennie and other characters and their comments on Curley. In today's society Social Status still exists in certain circumstances and Nepotism still exists in family business and family ownerships as it did in the 1930's. .
Gender inequality is another issue in the 1930's. Women were treated differently to Men and different expectations were held depending upon the gender of a person.
