1930s context

• racial discrimination was not illegal in 1930s America, racism was normall
• whites and blacks were segregated
• black people were considered as second class citizens
• black people were payed less than white people
• crooks was only ever identified by his colour and job
• the ranch is portrays a patriarchal dominated only by white men
• curley had a high level of authority
• curley hadnt earned his status and that his status comes from nepotism
• men with power and status treated weaker and disabled people harshly
• woman in 1930s america didnt have the same rights as a man
• a womans role was to be a housewife and mother. this role was emphasised during the great depression as there were a lack of jobs
• many young women dreamt of being a hollywood actress as film stars were often portrayed to have glamorous and luxurious lives
• many farmers migrated to california to look for work due to the great depression, dustbowl droughts, and storms
• jobs on ranches were seasonal and temporary
• wages for men were low and jobs were scarce and without work people woule have no way of supporting themselves
• the dream for lennie and george gave them a sense of safety and independence
• minimal health regulations in 1930s
• farmers used dangerous machinery and were poorly trained so accidents were common
• compensation for serious accidents were sometimee orffered, but significantly below what a modern reader would expect
• people with mental disabilities were trated very unsympathetically by majority of society and were seen as a burden to society 
• mentally disabled people were often disowned and housed in large professional institutions (boobyhatch)
• the american dream was the idea that ordinary people could create a better life for themselves and gain independence
• independence gave ranch workers hope, but due to the great depression for many ranch workers these dreams never came true