Moral Compass in Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men": An Analysis

“Every judgement of conscience, be it right or wrong, be it about things evil in themselves or morally indifferent, is obligatory, in such ways that he who acts against his conscience always sins.”-Thomas Aquinas. Right versus Wrong. One of the main concepts for morality. In what is right and wrong essay this topic is considered. This is the topic that brings forth controversy and disputement among many. Many philosophers and theologians believe that from the moment that we are born, we have an understanding of what is seen as right and wrong, good and evil. That we have a comprehension on what is allowed within our societies and a sense of judgement and justice. In the novella, Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck, Lennie along with the other people residing on the ranch, Carlson, Curley, Curley’s Wife, George, and more, are seen as outliers of their society. They lack an understanding of the principles, concepts, and rules set before them. Unable to grasp these concepts, they unknowingly hurt those they cherish and love, themselves included, Steinbeck brings forth the idea that a sense of what is known as right and wrong is necessary in order to prevent harm towards those that they care for.

In Steinbeck’s publication, Of Mice and Men, the workers and other occupants on one of the many ranches in Soledad, California seem to repeat the same mistakes over and over, not learning their lesson. One of the novellas main characters, Lennie Small, has been unable to grasp the simple concepts set before him by society. Lennie is incapable of remembering what those around him tell him, important or not: “O.K.’ said George. ‘An’ you ain’t gonna do no bad things like you done in Weed, neither.’ Lennie looked puzzled. ‘Like I done in Weed?’ ‘Oh so ya forgot that too did ya? Well, I ain’t gonna remind ya, fear ya do it again”. Unable to remember his past actions, George who is practically Lennie’s caretaker fears that Lennie could possibly repeat what he had done in the previous ranch they worked at. Due to the fact that Lennie has special needs, he requires someone to be with him, telling him what he must do and reminding him of what is right and wrong. George has stepped up for the role as his caretaker partially because Lennie stuck to him with the other reason being that he used to torment Lennie and wants to repent for his wrong-doings. “I’ve beat the hell outa him, and he coulda bust every bone in my body jus’ with his han’s, but he never lifted a finger against me”. Since Lennie does not know the difference between right and wrong, he is abused and taken advantage and he does not do anything about it and only forgives George instead of standing up for himself. Lennie causes problems unwillingly which results on the two men having to constantly be on the move which tires and angers George, who would take out his anger and frustration on Lennie. The grown man who requires special attention is unable to help himself and prevent harm from being inflicted upon himself and others due to the lack of sense he has for what the society he lives in considers as its principles, right versus wrong.

Curley’s wife wanders around the ranch looking for someone to talk to, causing the hard working ranch hands problems. She is aware of the difference between right and wrong, she knows that a married woman talking to other men is frowned upon by society. Although Curley’s wife is only looking for someone to converse with to fill the void of loneliness in her life fromthe lack of relationships, the men in the ranch avoid her and refuse to talk to her in order to stay out of trouble. In The Essential Criticism of John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men by Michael J. Meyer, the author claims, “In her attempt to overcome the isolation she finds herself trapped in, she chooses a different solution than Crooks. Instead of becoming reclusive, she instead becomes assertive, an attribute that others interpret as sexual aggressivity. As a result, her loneliness is hidden beneath a façade of flirting, and she is mistaken for a tramp or floozy who leads men on without the intention of sexually satisfying them.” Since the men on the ranch avoid her and refuse to talk to her due to her flirtatious personality, Curley’s wife lashes out angrily: “Well, I ain’t give you no trouble. Think I don’t like to talk to somebody ever’ once in a while? Think I like to stick in that house alla time”. Fed up of constantly being alone, Curley’s wife longs for someone to talk even if it is only once in a while. She may not be at fault for looking for someone to talk to, male or female, Curley’s wife should know that it is seen as wrong even if the conversation is innocent and modest. Instead of looking for someone to talk to, Curley’s wife could engage herself in pastimes. Curley’s wife, aware of what is right and wrong and what is known as the norms of society refuses to follow them which leads to her being outcasted, further deepening the void of loneliness within her.

When one does not follow the rules and norms set by society, they are outcasted and rejected, they are frowned upon and criticized and at times they are hunted down. Lennie has never been able to understand or grasp the concept of these principles. He has always hurt those around him. Curley’s wife refuses to follow the rules in order to fill the void of loneliness within her. Lennie once again hurts another person when Curley’s wife goes to him while the others on the ranch are working. When she goes to Lennie, she discovers the puppy he had just killed and upon seeing him gloomy and dispirited, Curley’s wife attempts to cheer him up, however, her attempts were all in vain when Lennie unfortunately brings an end to her life as well: “He shook her then, and he was angry with her. ‘Don’t you go yellin’,’ he said, and he shook her , and her body flopped like a fish. And then her body was still, for Lennie had broken her neck”. With the same disregard and little understanding for what he is doing, he goes on and accidentally recommits the same atrocious crime he had recently committed and takes the life of a person. He had put Curley’s wife out of her misery and loneliness possibly for the better good, but the consequences that came with her death were not ones that Lennie was prepared for, so he goes on the run to the spot he promised George he’d go to if he were to get into trouble again. When the others become aware of the crime that Lennie committed, a manhunt for the helpless character began. “And George raised the gun and steadied it, and he brought the muzzle of it close to the back of Lennie’s head. The hand shook violently, but his face set and his hand steadied. He pulled the trigger. The crash of the shot rolled up the hills and rolled down again. Lennie jarred, and then settled slowly forward to the sand, and he lay without quivering”. George finds Lennie first and puts an end to his life so that he no longer has to suffer. Since Lennie had killed Curley’s wife, George killed him in order to put an end to what seemed like a never-ending cycle of Lennie causing problems. The death of Lennie and Curley’s wife could have been prevented if they had known the difference between right and wrong and followed the rules of society.

Right vs Wrong is an aspect that is put to use everyday whether it is used to give someone honest advice or to prevent something tragic from happening. From making small to meaningless or meaningful decisions, the concept of right and wrong will always be used. There are those unable to grasp this concept like the characters in Steinbeck’s book specifically Lennie and Curley’s wife. These characters try and try but can never grasp the simple concept which always results in someone being harmed or killed.