John Steinbeck s Of Mice And Men - 1627 Words

Since the beginning of time, the dual nature of humanity has comprised of two mindsets that lie on opposite ends of the human spectrum - rationality and sentiment. Long before the era of advanced technology, humans have consistently been put to the test against the elements, and every time a new challenge befell them, humans merely conquered and adapted to their new challenge due to their survival instinct to be at the top. The very nature of humans to dominate others drives their everyday actions to strive for success. However, the predacious nature of humans is also a dangerous force to society as manifested through John Steinbeck’s classic novella, Of Mice and Men. This story revolves around George Milton and Lennie Small, two displaced†¦show more content†¦And therefore if any two men desire the same thing, which nevertheless they cannot both enjoy, they become enemies; and endeavor to destroy or subdue one another† (Leviathan I:13). Hobbes believes that hum ans would do whatever it takes to meet their desires, even if it means hurting their fellow men. At heart, the violent nature of selfishness, which runs through the blood of humans, stimulates the desire for them to attack those who are able to achieve the goals that they cannot. Hobbes’ desolate view of human nature is clearly manifested through an oppressed and isolated character in Of Mice and Men named Crooks. Crooks, who is the African American stable buck of the ranch, consistently brings down and attacks Lennie’s dream of owning a farm with George, mainly because Crooks fully understands that even the idea of ever owning his own land is intangible due to the racial barriers that divide him from his dreams. In response to the inevitable selfishness that clouds his goodwill, Crooks harks at Lennie that he â€Å"sees hundreds of men come by with a little piece of land in their heads. They’re always thinking about the land, but it’s just in their hea d. Nobody gets to heaven, and nobody gets the land† (Steinbeck 74). Crooks is aware that no matter how hard he tries, his dreams will never come true due to the fact that his race confides him into a null and hopeless world. However, as a human, Crooks strives to ensure that no one else can achieve the happiness and