NOTE: Free essay sample provided on this page should be used for references or sample purposes only. The sample essay is available to anyone, so any direct quoting without mentioning the source will be considered plagiarism by schools, colleges and universities that use plagiarism detection software. To get a completely brand-new, plagiarism-free essay, please use our essay writing service.
One click instant price quote
John Steinbeck's novel Of Mice and Men should not be banned form the grade 9 curriculum. This story of a man and his best friend is a great source for teaching in schools. In the book a mentally challenged character is presented. This book teaches us that people who arent as smart as some are still good people and can do just as much as anybody else, sometimes even more. I aint saying hes bright. He aint.
But I say hes a God damn good worker. He can put up four hundred pound bale. (Steinbeck, 22) Also Steinbeck specifies that being mentally handicapped does not make someone crazy. Hes dumb as hell, but he aint crazy. (Steinbeck, 39) This shows people dont have to be smart to be hard working, caring people. Guy dont need no sense to be a nice fella. (Steinbeck, 40) Of Mice and Men is an interesting history lesson. It is a source for learning about the mentally challenged and racism as it was dealt with in the thirties and also the depression. The students get a chance to learn about the lifestyles of the people who lived in this time while they are being entertained by a captivating story.
Hardly none of the guys travel together. (Steinbeck, 39) This tells about the way tha t people traveled in contrast with today, where it is not odd for people to travel together. The novel gives us an idea of what people did on weekends and in their spare time, such as play horseshoes, cards and other things An wheres George now? In town in a whore house (Steinbeck, 76) as opposed to today where there are a variety of things a person can do for fun. This dark period, as the school board calls it, the depression, needs to be revealed to young readers so they realize the hardships people went through so they may be prevented for future generations. Yes, the book deals with racism, but it is an easy way to bring up the topic in a classroom and discuss it.
It is important for young adults to be approached with the topic now, so they will be able to deal with it in the future if a situation dealing with the subject ever comes up. If it is taught in a classroom setting, somewhere comfortable and familiar, students will feel that it is easier to voice their opinion and will not feel timid about asking questions. Of Mice and Men educates people about racism the way it was in the thirties. There is an African-American character present in the book, and he feels that because he is black that no one cares about him and he says that people need someone to care about them even if they are different, and to have compassion for others. This is just a nigger talkin, and a busted-back nigger. So it dont mean nothing, see? (Steinbeck, 71) and A guy goes nuts if he aint got nobody.
Dont make no difference who the guy is, longs hes with you (Steinbeck, 72) Although the committee feels that this book should be removed from the grade 9 level, it should stay because of the things people can get out of this book. It contains many valuable lessons, such as having to show respect to minorities, and it gives a lesson on American history. Steinbeck's novel OF Mice and Men is a useful to give these messages to a grade nine student.
Free research essays on topics related to: hes, steinbeck, aint, mentally challenged, mice and men
Research essay sample on Mice And Men Mentally Challenged
