How does Steinbeck present the brutality of ranch life at the time Of Mice and Men is set?

In Of Mice and Men, the brutality of ranch life is depicted through characterization.

• In Chapter One as George and Lennie camp out before heading to their new job, and George alludes to the reason they have to start anew: Lennie wanted to feel a girl's dress.

She yells and we got to hide in a irrigation ditch all day with guys lookin' for us, and we got to sneak out in the dark...

In Of Mice and Men, the brutality of ranch life is depicted through characterization.

• In Chapter One as George and Lennie camp out before heading to their new job, and George alludes to the reason they have to start anew: Lennie wanted to feel a girl's dress.

She yells and we got to hide in a irrigation ditch all day with guys lookin' for us, and we got to sneak out in the dark and get outta the country.

• In Chapter Two, after Candy gossips about Curley, the son of the boss with George and Lennie, he begs them not to repeat what he has said because "[H]e'd slough me. He just don't give a damn."


• When Curley enters the bunkhouse, he is immediately hostile toward Lennie, shouting, "By Christ, he's gotta talk when he's spoke to."


• After Curley leaves, Candy explains how pugnacious Curley is, "Seems like Curley ain't givin' nobody a chance."


• In Chapter Three Carlson heartlessly offers to shoot Candy's old dog.


• In this chapter when Curley antagonizes Slim, Whit becomes excited and leaves the bunkhouse to watch the "fireworks."


• Lennie suggests his propensity for violence when he imagines that some might try to take his dream rabbits: "I'll break their God damn necks." Later, he breaks every bone in Curley's hand when Curley comes at him.


• In Chapter Four, Crooks takes a sadistic delight in telling Lennie that George, who has gone to town, may not return. "Crooks's face lighted with pleasure in his torture."


• In Chapter Five, Curley is ready to wreak vengeance on Lennie after learning of his wife's death. Candy tells George, "Curley gon'ta wanta get 'im lynched. Curley'll get 'im killed."


• When Carlson runs into the barn, shouting that his Luger is gone, Curley tells him that Crooks has a shotgun and to take it.


• Then, when George asks Curley not to shoot Lennie. "Don't shoot 'im?" Curley cried. "He got Carlson's Luger. 'Course we'll shoot 'im."