The Theme of Loneliness in the Novella Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

The connection among abundance and isolation is conveyed in a variety of assorted strategies in John Steinbeck’s, Of Mice And Males. As a result, this poetically expressed non-fiction novella is primarily concerning the notion of loneliness when it comes to the protagonists in the story, which are Lennie and George. Additionally, acknowledging the contrast in between Lennie and George’s personas, it is secure for it to be stated that aspects such as mental illness and habitual behaviors have an influential impact on the characters’ seclusion. Consequently, there is no doubt that humans in common crave contact with other people in order to live a meaningful life. After taking this into consideration, Lennie, Crooks, Candy, and Curley’s wife can be derived as victims of loneliness.

It is evident that loneliness is presented consistently all through this story. Especially, George’s responsibility for taking care of Lennie and the American Dream are attempts to break the continuous pattern of of isolation. As a result, when the two men had arguments, George would always refer to Lennie as a burden, which prevented him from living the lonesome life he had often wanted. In the text, Steinbeck writes, “…if I was alone I could reside so easily… an’ whatta I got, I got you!” (Steinbeck 11). George’s outburst supports the fact that he wishes to live in solitude, which means a life with out Lennie. By all implies, without having George, Lennie would reside a

life full of sorrow without him realizing it. People would take benefit of his mental retardation, and as George stated, “somebody’d shoot you for a coyote if you was by yourself” (Steinbeck 13). In addition, loneliness often seemed to interfere with George and Lennie’s partnership.

Nevertheless, Lennie and George are not the only characters who face loneliness in Steinbeck’s Of Mice And Guys. Despite the fact that loneliness is demonstrated in all the characters throughout the story to some degree, Crooks and Candy’s isolation is most evident. Candy usually tried to fight his upcoming loneliness by refusing to be kept apart by his dog. Sadly, Curley insisted on killing the only companion Candy had, which brought him his tragic loneliness. The quote, “Cany did not answer. The silence fell on the area once again. It came out of the night and invaded the room” (Steinbeck 49), supports the concept of how Candy starts to endure from isolation as quickly as he no longer has any individual to be with. Even although time has passed because Candy’s tragedy, he continues to stay in despair and desolates himself from the rest of the ranch workers. Following this theory, Crooks is also a victim of loneliness along with Lennie and Candy. His physical disability and skin color is really significantly like Lennie’s mental illness. Crooks is frequently looked down on and persistently created to look diverse from the rest of the ranch workers. “‘Cause I’m black. They play cards in there, but I can not play simply because I’m black. They say I stink” (Steinbeck 68). The previous quote supports the idea of Crooks getting discriminated against due to his skin colour and polar opposite characteristics. Although, his physical traits are not the only thing that isolate him from every person else. His lack of respect when it comes to other’s enterprise is

what also secludes him. Both Candy and Crooks’ desire to be liberated and reside a tranquil life is revealed when they are interested in The American Dream, introduced to them by Lennie and George.

The pattern of only men living desolate lives is soon broken when Curley’s wife is proven to be a lonely character in the story. She as well has been afflicted by isolation, due to her becoming the only female in the ranch. As if her gender was not already adequate to make her exceptionally distinct from absolutely everyone else, her husband, Curley, has forbidden her speak to any person. Curley’s wife rebels against him by flirting with all the ranch workers and giving them “the eye”. This is since of Curley not paying any consideration to her, so psychologically, she

craves flattery. As Of Mice And Guys comes to an end, Curley’s wife expresses her thoughts to Lennie. “Why can not I talk to you? I never ever get to talk to no one. I get awful lonely” (Steinbeck 86). This quote accurately proves the fact that Curley’s wife feels very lonely due to the fact of her limitation set by her husband when it comes to communication. While it is accurate that Curley’s wife had a few malicious actions right here and there, they have been not all intentional, judging by how she was emotionally abused by her husband.

Overall, the characters stated to be lonely and isolated were proven to have either been either physically or emotionally unstable. Factors such as discrimination, ignorance, restrain, and mockery all affect the internal state of someone. Loneliness does not usually occur by basic isolating actions that other people do. Even even though the state of loneliness can be sorrowful, everyone must go by means of it in order to value and see the beauty in association.