The Predatory Nature of Man

     In part three of Of Mice and Men, there is substantial evidence to assume John Steinbeck is alluding to the predatory nature of humans, and how he feels it is immoral. The first example is a statement George makes about his life with Lennie in Weed while talking to Slim.  George states that he "'...used to have a hell of a lot of fun with 'im.  Used to play jokes on 'im 'cause he was too dumb to even know he had a joke played on him.  Why he'd do any damn thing I tol' him.  If I tol' him to walk over a cliff, over he'd go.  That wasn't so damn much fun after a while'" (Steinbeck 41).  Before this statement, George revealed how he resented always feeling less intelligent than others.  However, compared with  Lennie, who has a mental disability, George seems like a genius. He uses this to take advantage of Lennie and make himself seem more powerful.  Furthermore, this same attitude is also exhibited by Curley when his "eyes slipped past and lighted on Lennie; and Lennie was still smiling with delight at the memory of the ranch. Curley stepped over to Lennie like a terrier. 'What the hell you laughin' at?'… He  slashed at Lennie with his left, and then smashed down his nose with a right.  Lennie gave a cry of terror.  Blood welled from his nose" (Steinbeck 61)."  To compensate for his short stature, Curley felt he needed to show the other men at the ranch he was just as powerful as they were.  Curley took advantage of Lennie's kind, caring disposition and attacked him, assuming he would not fight back.  In this way, he exploited Lennie's friendly nature and stupidity to make himself seem more powerful.
     Throughout Of Mice and Men, but especially this chapter, Steinbeck demonstrates his opinion of the predatory nature of humans.  If people are treated as inferior to others, they have a desire to feel superior to someone else.  So, if they see someone they perceive to be weaker, such as Lennie, they will try to dominate that person.  Sometimes this mentality can be positive, compelling people to work harder and soar above their peers. However, it can also be negative, as this attitude can result in people sabotaging or harming each other to reach a goal.  The examples in section three reflect the negative aspects of our predatory nature, as Lennie is consistently exploited for his lack of intelligence and common sense to make others feel more powerful.  Therefore, I believe John Steinbeck used the story of Of Mice and Men to communicate his negative feelings about the predatory nature of man.