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?

Racism is explored in two ways. First, the reader learns that there is racism in the 1930's by the way Curley's with talked to Crooks. Crooks is African American, so he is treated differently. Curley's wife said, "Well, you keep your place then, nigger. I could get you strung up on a tree so easy it ain't even funny."(Steinbeck 81) By this quote from the story, it is obvious that African Americans were not treated fairly during this period of time. Curley's wife called Crooks a "nigger," as if it was no big deal to call a colored man nigger. Also, Curley's wife said she could hang him on a tree. That shows how harsh racial difference is. Another way racism is explored is when Crooks yells at Lennie and Candy for being in his room. He says  that is is not okay for a white man to be in a colored mans room.Through these two moments, racism is evident. 

The reader learns that racism was tough in the 1930s. It was hard to be colored because you did not have the same rights as everyone else. You could not share a room with men with other skin colors. Colored people were called "niggers," instead of African american. Racism was harsh during this time period. 

Check out this link on racism in the 1930's
http://xroads.virginia.edu/~ug02/newyorker/race.html