"Kindness" Example Essay

“Kindness” example essay
1. Read the essay

2. Add comments as you go through the essay suggesting what its
strengths and weaknesses are.
3. At the end of the essay, write a ‘WWW’ and an ‘EBI’ comment.
4. Give it a mark out of 40 using the mark scheme at the bottom.
Throughout the novella, ‘Of Mice and Men’, Steinbeck creates a microcosm of the 1930s
American society in which his characters search for kindness and humanity, through
companionship and hopeful dreams, in a society where this was not prioritised.
The lack of kindness is persistent throughout the novella for numerous reasons. In America’s
poverty stricken 1930s society there was no room to feel empathy towards others as everyone
had been devastated by the 1929 Wall Street Crash that had led the country into a massive
global economic recession known as the Great Depression. People were forced to make hard
choices between being morally right and kind but suffering hardships or being selfish but
surviving. This is clearly seen in chapter three after Carlson’s persistence in shooting Candy’s
dog despite Candy’s pleas not to. Candy argues that “I had him so long. Had him since he was a
pup” and yet Carlson shows no signs of remorse towards him ending Candy’s only long-lasting
friendship. Candy even “looked a long time at Slim to try to find some reversal. And Slim gave him
none” which further reinforces the non-existent humanity felt between the ranch men. Even
Slim, whose “opinions were law” and is heavily respected and admired by his fellow peers,
prioritises his needs, which involve getting rid of the stinking smell of Candy’s dog, over that of
Candy’s shows the harsh mentality of itinerant men at that time; to look out solely for one’s self.
Another reason for the lack of kindness portrayed between the characters in the novel, is due to
the limitations society put itself by excluding and, thereby, fomenting the discrimination of
minority groups such as, the older generations, African Americans and women. In chapter three,
Slim confesses that “I wisht somebody’d shoot me if I got old an’ a cripple”. This mirrors the huge
discrimination against older generations who were at the fringe of society. In the 1930s, when
someone had fulfilled their role and purpose in society they lost value and with this, were
perceived as useless and a burden to the rest of the active, and useful society. As a result of this
widespread ageism, people developed apathy towards the older generations and no longer cared
for them. In addition, Jim Crow laws enforced segregation, particularly in the South, and
followed the legal precedent of ‘separate but equal’. However, in reality this was not the case -
facilities destined for African Amercians had significantly less quality due to the lack of funding
it received. Crooks, being black, represents the African American community in the 1930s and
with this, his suffering, due to prejudice and discrimination mirrors that experienced by African
Americans at the time. He is, therefore, segregated from the rest of the ranch men as “They play
cards in there, but I can’t play because I’m black” and is instead forced to live in a small shed with
poor conditions, in the stables, as would have been the case for facilities destined for African
Americans at the time. This belief of ‘white superiority’ above all other races caused people to
resent each other and lose out on possible co-operation and perhaps even friendship. In chapter
four, Curley’s wife misses an opportunity to have a friendly conversation with Crooks and
instead threatens him by saying “I could get you strung up on a tree so easy it ain’t even funny”.
Similarly, Crooks also loses a chance to be nice and enjoy the presence of Curley’s wife when he
demands her to “jus’ get out, an’ get out quick”. In the 1930s society women were regarded as
inferior to men and very few developed friendly relationships with men as it was perceived as
highly inappropriate.
Although scarce in the novel, Steinbeck also presents the theme of kindness as precious and
unique, which can be seen within George and Lennie’s friendship. From the very beginning of
the novel, it is clear that they have a strong connection with each other. Although on numerous
occasions George complains about his caretaking responsibilities and how “I could get so easy
and so nice if I didn’t have you on my tail. I could live so easy and maybe get a girl”, it becomes
clear that he is devoted to Lennie. This can be seen when he reassures him, in chapter one, that
“I want you to stay with me, Lennie”. Lennie also shows his devotion to George as he
acknowledges that “I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you”. This friendship
in which they show small acts of kindness such as when George asks Slim to give a pup to Lennie
as he knows that “It wasn’t much to you, maybe, but it was a hell of a lot to him.”. However,
Steinbeck portrays the idea of being cruel to be kind as the most valuable and peculiar form of
kindness. This is clearly seen with George’s euthanizing of Lennie in chapter six where “he
brought the muzzle of [the gun] close to the back of Lennie's head” and “pulled the trigger” in
order to prevent him from being tortured by the angered Curley and Carlson, and eventually
possibly imprisoned or sent to a madhouse. This is the strongest act of kindness in the novel, as
George sacrifices his American dream, which involves to “live off the fatta the lan”, his only
profound friendship and his future state of mind, which will become inevitably become
unnerved and forever unsettled, to give Lennie a painless end. However, there is a moment of
hope and progressiveness when Steinbeck shows how George isn’t the only character who has
developed empathy towards others. By the end of the novel, Slim reassures that “You hadda,
George. I swear you hadda.”. This shows his empathy towards George, who just lost the only
family he ever had, he reinforces that “Never you mind. [...] A guy got to sometimes”. Although
soon enough, Steinbeck closes his novella with a fatalistic tone by Carlson saying “Now what the
hell ya suppose is eatin’ them two guys?”. This shifts the reader’s focus back to the pessimistic
mood of the 1930s society.
Given that Steinbeck presents a glaring absence of common decency and empathy through many
characters and events in Of Mice and Men, his overall message is arguably one of hope for
change. Through the main characters George and Lennie, he promotes the idea that, even in
times of extreme adversity, it is possible and preferable to treat others with respect and
kindness.
WWW:
EBI:
Mark out of 40:

"Kindness" Example Essay

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

"Kindness" Example Essay

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

"Kindness" Example Essay

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

“Kindness” example essay

1. Read the essay

Mark out of 40:

You might also like