Loneliness And Isolation

Loneliness is one of the primary themes in Of Mice and Men. Throughout the novel, John Steinbeck shows the enormous effect that loneliness has on the characters. Steinbeck most clearly illustrates this theme through Crooks, Candy, and Curley 's wife. Ranch hands are ideal types of people to portray as being lonely, because their constant travel leaves them without someone to talk to or share things with. Steinbeck also shows how important it is for every human being to have a companion. Companionship is necessary in order for someone to live an enjoyable life. Although loneliness affects each one of the characters in Of Mice and Men differently, they all experience negative feelings from their lack of

“Guys like us, that work on ranches are the loneliness guys in the world. They got no family...we got a future. We got somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us” (Steinbeck 14). During the Great Depression, much of society is alienated while survival of the fittest prevails. The power of loneliness affects the individual involved as long as the society it is present in continues to harvest the discriminatory ways. During the 1930’s, the Great Depression was at its peak; The stock markets crashed, and a chain reaction caused the unemployment rates to rise to an all time high. Thus, migrant worker became popular because they were always needed on a farm and it was a way for one to find employment. In of Mice and Men, Candy, Crooks, and Curley’s wife are all victims of the Great Depression. Candy and Crooks work on the farm, while Curley’s wife is the flirtatious nuisance whose dreams were crushed. The pervasive emotion throughout this novella is loneliness. Loneliness is felt by Candy, Crooks, and and Curley’s wife, whether it’s being represented symbolically as the characters are fighting social devastation, learning to make it alone, or through their actions.

In John Steinbeck’s novel, Of Mice and Men, he illustrates the journey George and Lennie have throughout a significant part of their lifetime. Throughout the novel, many characters, including George and Lennie, are facing lonesome and they struggle to deal with it the right way. Most of the men are all alone because they have no family left or they isolate themselves from their peers. Loneliness touches each character at some point in the novel and it really emphasizes the impact it can have on an individual. Steinbeck uses the characters Curley’s wife, Crooks, and Candy to develop the theme that containing loneliness will make someone’s desperation deepen.

Loneliness in Of Mice and Men is shown in many ways, because of this each character was affected by loneliness in different ways and responses. One example of loneliness is with the character Crooks. Crooks is forced to live alone. Away from the other workers because he is African American, “They play cards in there, but I can’t play because I’m black. They say I stink. Well, I tell you, all of you stink to me”(Pg. 68). This quote proves how Crooks is very lonely, because the men play cards but don’t let him play because they say he stinks and he is black. Not only does this show how Crooks is quite lonely, but he is also treated unfairly because of racial discrimination. “Well, jus’ forget it,” said Crooks. “I didn’ mean it. Jus’ foolin’. I wouldn’ want to go no place like that.” “Well, O.K.; if you feel like that. Good night.”(Pg. 83). Crooks is saying he is lonely, but he

In Steinbeck’s ‘of mice and men’ set in 1930’s, both Crooks and Curley’s wife are defenseless victims of social prejudice which leads to their sadness and depression. Crooks, being a black man is discriminated and segregated towards by all the other ranchers “They play cards in there but I can’t play because I’m black- Crooks” whereas Curley’s wife being a woman is expected to stay at home and take care of the house “Why don't she get the hell back in the house where she belongs- Carlson”. Furthermore Steinbeck as well as the ranchers view Curley’s wife as “trouble” in Candy’s words and she is later referred as ‘jail-bait’ and ‘tramp’ by other men. Consequently both Crooks and Curleys wife choose to express their hurt in different ways: Crooks holes up in his room with his books in order to escape the harsh reality where he is treated as an outcast while Curley's wife does so by clamoring for attention and desperately trying to be noticed either by creating ‘trouble’ or flirting with the ranchers.

The modern world, filled with loneliness and desperation portrayed by over 40% of the population. Loneliness, described as being isolated or having a feeling of little importance, or having little companionship with others. Everyone feels the loneliness creep upon them at some point in their lives. As we feel lonely, we feel the impact and must react some way to cope with the feeling and feel better with ourselves. As seen in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, the devastating impact of loneliness on human beings is demonstrated through Curley’s Wife, Crooks, and Candy.

I agree with the messages Steinbeck was trying to portray in the novel because Crooks’ and Curley’s wife’s actions that made it clear. When people are experiencing loneliness, their actions, as well as their way of life is altered. Loneliness can change people drastically into something they are not as seen in the novel Of Mice and Men and through my personal awareness. Both characters, despite their hard bitter shells, reveal a desire to overcome their loneliness and win

Loneliness can be the death of people. Some think that loneliness does not taint our world but they are dead wrong. In the story Of Mice and Men, author John Steinbeck portrays the loneliness and independence portrayed on people who live on ranches. Crooks is a black man who has separated himself from everyone else because he doesn't feel welcome as he is black and he feels a certain friction to be independent. But really, all he wants is someone to talk to. Curley’s wife is a woman who is depicted as being a cruel and mean person but really all she wants is someone to talk to as well because she is lonely. Lastly, Lennie is a very kind man who is slow and all he wants to do is pet soft things but he is too aggressive and hurts or kills things when he panics.

When a person is lonely and does not feel a sense of belonging, they disregard societal expectations and search for a sense of belonging anyway they can. The character of Curley’s wife, who is a lonely ranch wife, demonstrates this throughout Of Mice and Men. Curley’s wife is ostracized from the men working on the ranch by, her husband, Curley. She, therefore, has no one to talk to except Curley who does not make his companionship meaningful to her. So, when Curley is away from the ranch she takes advantage and

“‘Guys like us that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don’t belong no place. They come to a ranch an’ work up a stake, and the first thing you know they’re poundin their tail on some other ranch. They ain’t got nothing to look ahead to’”

Of Mice and Men: A Lonely Struggle Loneliness is a basic struggle in the human life. Everyone is affected by it once in a while, but in Steinbeck’s novel “Of Mice and Men”, he portrays the it through the lives of ranch workers in the early 1930’s America. Loneliness being the dominant theme, he presents characters who are yearning for companionship or an audience, particularly Candy, Crooks, and Curley’s wife. Crooks is probably the loneliest character in the ranch, who suffers from extreme loneliness because he’s black and his surrounding area is very racist towards him.

Of Mice and Men Essay Loneliness can be an unavoidable part of life that can affect anyone. In John Steinbeck’s novel Of Mice and Men, loneliness is an experience shared by all of the ranch workers regardless of social class demonstrated by Curley, Lennie, and Crooks who all represent different social standings. As the boss’s son, Curley is somewhat of an authority figure to the other ranch workers, though not a respected one.

Many people from the Great Depression were poverty-stricken and forced to wander the countryside for a continuous supply of jobs just to allow for the occasional drink, a trip to a cat house, or survival necessities. Endlessly wandering to find jobs prevented settling down, building a family, and the formation of steady friendships, so most traveled alone and didn’t care for anyone other than themselves for long stretches of time. Whether it be from a desire for attention that was never obtained, behavior issues, or the weight of constant responsibility, loneliness is a recurring theme in the novel Of Mice And Men by John Steinbeck, and throughout the novel many characters show and discuss their loneliness. Curley's wife wanted attention and so, she would wear provocative clothes, do up her hair and wear heavy makeup to gain attention from the men on the ranch.

As Rick becomes incarcerated in the juvenile detention center he starts to experience the effects of social isolation. As being part of the team and social accept by his peers Rick struggles to fit in with his new peers in the detention center. When Rick is adjusting to incarceration there was a social interaction of his peers watching television while Rick isolated himself in the back of the room avoiding social interaction. This type of situation can lead to psychological issues if the behavior continues.

being separated means being alone. This is true of every creature, and it is true of man