Loneliness in Of Mice And Men Essay

Of Mice and Men written by John Steinbeck takes place in 1929, around the time of the Great Depression when the dollar became worthless. Many people traveled in search of jobs around this time period, since they were very hard to find. Not many people stayed in one area for a long period in time, which was a cause of loneliness because no one had time to build friendships and relationships with one another. Around this time sexism and racism caused many to feel lonely and isolated from others. Of Mice and Men gives many examples of isolation, rejection, and loneliness.

One strong example of loneliness in Of Mice and Men is Crooks. Crooks is a black stable hand with a crooked back from being kicked by a horse. Crooks experiences isolation because in this time period society is racist against blacks. Crooks doesnt have anyone to open up to, because no one listens to him. He tries to disguise his loneliness with anger and other emotions. But he opens up to Lennie, because he is a good listener. Crooks quotes , A guy goes nuts if he aint got nobody. Dont matter no difference who the guy is, longs he with you. I tell ya a guy gets to lonely he gets sick (pg. 72). Crooks knows that when people become so isolated and lonely that they become sick. He strives for a social life with others and makes an effort to make a friendship with George and Lennie.

Another example of loneliness is Curleys wife. She is forced to stay in the house by her controlling husband Curley. Curley is insecure about his relationship with his wife, which causes him to be controlling, jealous, and mean. Curleys wife uses flirting with the workers on the ranch as one way to help with her loneliness. She sees that Lennie is simple minded and so she feels that he is the only one she can talk about her problems with. She feels that no one else listens. Curleys wife tells Lennie You can talk to people, but I cant talk to nobody but Curley. Else he gets mad. Howd you like not to talk to anybody? (pg. 87). Curleys wife is so desperate for a friendship that she would talk to anyone that will listen about her problems. She wants someone to understand that all she wants is someone to talk to because shes lonely and bored.

Candy is an old man who has worked on the ranch almost his whole life. He lost an arm in a machinery accident, but still works on the ranch. He has one companion, his dog. His dog follows him everywhere, and is old just like Candy. The dog is disliked by many other farm hands because hes old and slow and he stinks. He means everything to Candy and when he is shot and killed Candy experiences loneliness. Candy tries to befriend George and Lennie and offers to help them on their dream to buy land and tend the rabbits. Candy tells Crooks Sure they all want it. Everybody wants a little bit of land, not much. Jus somethin that was his (pg. 76). Candy shows in this quote that he just wants something of his own. When his dog was taken from him that was the only thing he had that meant something to him which caused him to be lonelier than he already was.

Everyone will experience loneliness in their life at some point. These characters observe George and Lennies close companionship and learn from it. Sometimes they even seem jealous of George and Lennies close relationship with each other. They are jealous that they have each other to talk to and open up to, and look out for each other, but they learn how to deal with their loneliness easier this way. Sometimes victims of loneliness never feel complete with their lives and will always strive to fulfill a friendship with others.