Steinbeck shows inequality mainly through Lennie as he is the main focus in the novel. He is often distinguished from the crowd because of his 'simplicity' and physical structure since he is very big.
Curley's Wife
Curley’s wife is also a victim of inequality through sexism mainly shown by Steinbeck through the fact that she does not have a name. She is simply spoken to and referred to as ‘Curley’s wife’.
"I get lonely...Ain't I got the right to talk to nobody?"
Crook's
Crooks faces racial discrimination and a physical disability. rooks is Black and referred to as a ‘nigger’. Steinbeck conveys this discrimination through him not living with the other ranch workers in the bunk-house.
"Listen, Nigger," she said. "You know what I can do to you if you open your trap?"
Candy
Candy is distinguished from the rest because of his age and disability combined. Candy does not get involved with the other white men when they enjoy events like the horse-shoe tournament, because he cannot really play with his disabled hand.
Carlson shoots Candy’s dog because he is old and stinky. This is symbolic of what might happen to Candy himself. Candy is not seen to be equal to the other workers as he is old and 'useless'. ‘”When they came me here I wisht somebody’d shoot me”’
Curley
Curley is a short man with a big attitude, this makes curly inequil to other men because of his height. Curlys father who is the ranch owner also makes Curly more powerful then the rest of the worker's, this makes Curly look like an outcast compared to the other ranch worker's.
"Glove fulla vaseline" "Keeping his hand soft for his wife"
Inequality's of John Steinbeck's 'Of Mice And Men'
"Lennie looked helplessly at George, and then he got up and tried to retreat".
"Drank with long gulps, snorting into the water like a horse"
"I can't talk to nobody but Curley. Else he gets mad."
"I forgot", Lennie said softly. "I tried not to forget. Honest to god i did, George".
"Dragging his feet a little, the way a bear drags his paws".
Lennie
"Guys don’t come into a colored man’s room very much."
"Im gonna get him. Im going for my shotgun"