There are many different factors that can cause loneliness and isolation in a person’s life. Many of these factors are present throughout Of Mice and Men. The environment and the people who surround that person can really impact the quality of life one lives. Although isolation occurs when a person separates themselves from others physically, a person can also be isolated inside their own minds, even with others around them. In John Steinbeck’s novel, Of Mice and Men, Symbolism, imagery, and tone are used to show how isolation and loneliness shapes the lives of several characters. Two migrant workers, by the names George Milton and Lennie Small, are making their way to a California farm where they are due to start working. George is a …show more content…
They’s a pig pen…” (Steinbeck 57). Lennie always chimed in by saying “We could live offa the fatta the lan” (Steinbeck 57). This description of their “dream farm” attracts the interest of other characters, including Candy and Crook, who like Lennie and George, want to live a free life on a farm of their own. This farm becomes a symbol of the relationship between Lennie and George. It is a mutual interest that the two have this brings them closer together. The farm would allow Lennie to feel safe and would give him a purpose for caring for his animals. Retelling the description of the dream farm becomes a ritual. When Candy offers money to put towards the farm, the symbol becomes a strong reality. Candy states, “ S’pose I went in with you guys. Tha’s three hundred an’ fifty bucks I’d put in” (Steinbeck 59). The “dream farm” represents freedom and protection from the rest of the world. Unfortunately, the dream of owning a farm doesn’t turn into reality. Soft object such as a woman’s dress, a furry mouse, and a soft puppy, all symbolized comfort and security to Lennie. Each of these different obsessions got Lennie into trouble. Lennie and George had to leave the town of Weed when he innocently touched a woman’s dress because it looked soft. A furry mouse was accidentally petted to death in Lennie’s pocket. His new soft puppy and Curley’s wife both had their necks broken because Lennie didn’t know his own strength when touching them. Lennie’s big
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
Loneliness is one of many central themes in John Steinbeck’s classic novella, Of Mice and Men. Throughout the story many characters sought after the company and attention of others. Each character has a certain barrier that keeps them isolated from the outside world. Three characters who portray this loneliness throughout the novella are Crooks, Curly’s wife, and Candy. Each having a different wall between them and society.
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck is book of many themes; one that is very prominent is loneliness. Loneliness is common in many people's lives and that is also true for the lives of the characters of the book. Almost all characters in the book are lonely in one way or the other.
Lennie and George’s dream is to own a piece of land to work and live where they can have cows, pigs, chicken a vegetable patch with alfalfa and rabbits. “O.K Someday – we’re going
In the novel Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck uses characterization of dialogue and actions to reveal that one can be surrounded by a group and still be lonely. The use of dialogue proves that the characters are lonely even though they are working closely together. Also, through the characterization of actions the author reveals that most of the men are lonely and that the men occupy themselves even though they are with a group of people. John Steinbeck’s theme applies to the entire would because it proves that loneliness affects everyone at one time or another. It changes the way a person thinks and behaves. When people feel lonely their actions and way of life are affected. Nobody can run away from loneliness even if they live with a group of people. It’s a trait that no one can get rid
Barbara Sher once said, “‘Isolation is a dream killer’” (qtd. in Wishcraft). In his novella, Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck scrutinizes the effects that alienation can have on society. Many characters experience loneliness throughout the novel. He illustrates the results of individuals becoming isolated from their peers. In Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck portrays characters alienated from society in order to illustrate the harmful effects of loneliness caused by discrimination.
In a society of people all in the same situations how can someone feel so alone. When lives fall apart and people have nothing to hold on to people need each other most, yet are pushed so far from others. The novel Of Mice and Men written by John Steinbeck, follows the storyline of two men who are displaced farm workers during the Great Depression; they travel around and stick by each other’s sides no matter the circumstance. After many jobs they end up on a farm,the farm they hope will be their last stop. The time spent on the farm is filled with blooming friendships and careless quarrels, yet with an abundance of characters and entertainment- many people on the farm feel alone and out of place. Characters such as Crooks and Curley’s wife often come to mind when the subject of loneliness is brought up. Throughout the book using characters such as Crooks and Curley's wife, John Steinbeck demonstrates that humans are immensely impacted by separation from society and it will change the way that people will act and show themselves to others.
In the novel “Of Mice and Men”, John Steinbeck demonstrates the incapability and isolation for ranch workers to endure and survive with loneliness and how they handle it.
In the beginning, it’s a comforting thought to help George and Lennie have something to look forward to. George tells Lennie how they’re going to get their own farm and have a happy life, and Lennie continues, “‘An’ live off the fatta the lan’,”(14). They are both delighted and excited to live the American Dream, tend to themselves, and live fulfilling lives. When they tell this dream to Candy and he agrees to help, they all become fascinated with the idea of it actually happening. This is mentioned when, “They all sat still, all bemused by the beauty of one thing, each mind popped into the future when this lovely thing should come about,”(60). Later, when Lennie mentions this dream to Crooks, Crooks says they’re crazy. He says, “‘I seen hunderds of men come by on the road an’ on the ranch with their bindles on their back an’ that same damn thing in their heads… And never a God damn one of them gets it.’’(74). The farm starts to become merely fictional again; a nice idea, but impossible. Lastly, right before George shoots Lennie, he tells him about the farm that they were planning to have. During this moment, George reaches, “in his side pocket and brought out Carlson’s Luger; he snapped off the safety, and the hand and the gun lay on the ground behind Lennie’s back,”(105). George is telling Lennie that he’s going to this place because it now represents heaven, and Lennie is about to die.
Society isolates individuals from others because they fear the reactions they will evoke from others. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck displays isolation through Crooks, Candy, and Curley’s wife. Candy is isolated because of his disability and his and the death of his dog. Crook is isolated mainly due to his race. Curley’s wife suffers from solitude because she is the only women. The pervasive emotion experienced by all of the characters in Of Mice and Men is loneliness. The loneliness is also, though, profoundly existential and symbolic. The men do not want to be isolated and they do not want to be left behind by society.
Lennie and George move around a lot to different ranches in hopes of finding better work. In reality they have a dream ranch that does not exist. They dream of living on a ranch where no one tells them what they can and cannot do. They dream of eating all they want and Lennie imagines of having rabbits and other farm animals that he can take care of and have a better life. George talks about him and Lennie having their own farm saying “Well," said George, "we'll have a big vegetable patch and a rabbit hutch and chickens. And when it rains in the winter, we'll just say the hell with goin' to work, and we'll build up a fire in the stove and set around it an' listen to the rain comin' down on the roof." (p.
Candy's only hope comes in the form of George and Lennie when they speak of one day owning a farm. Candy pleads with George to allow him to accompany them at their farm, and says he will pitch in his stake from prior months. Candy's pleading with George only solidifies his desperation to care about something once again. Second, Steinbeck embodies naivety among proletariate in the form of Lennie and George. From the beginning of the story Lennie and George dream of owning a farm.
The Dream Farm symbolizes Lennie and George’s paradise. The Dream Farm is their place where all their hard work is rewarded, and they get everything they could possibly want and need to live their satisfied life. Crooks talks about this with Lennie, since he finds it so hard to believe that George and Lennie are actually trying to pursue their dream, “‘Every
When Candy had heard George and Lennie talk about the dream of owning the farm. Candy starts to ask how much is the place you found. George worries about telling Candy the details but Candy then offers something I don’t think George expects. “I ain’t good with on’y one hand. I lost my hand right here on this ranch. That’s why they gave me a job swampin’. An’ they give me two hundred an’ fifty dollars ‘cause I los’ my hand. An’ I got fifty more saved up right in the bank, right now. Tha’s three hundred, and I got fifty more comin’ the end a the month. Tell you what------” He pauses and eagerly leans in. “S’pose I went in with you guys. Tha’s three hundred an’ fifty bucks I’d put in. I ain’t much good, but I could cook and tend the chickens and hoe the garden some. How’d that be?” After George explains how it was always planned to just be him and Lennie. Candy stops him and says “I’d make a will an’ leave my share to you guys in case I kick off, ‘cause I ain’t got no relatives nor nothing. You guys got any money? Maybe we could do her right now?” (Steinbeck 59). Candy explains how he would help buy the place. He said he would leave a will stating that he would leave his share of the land to Lennie and George if he dies. He was very open to adjusting his offer. He said he would help around the land. He would live with them, he would cook, and he would tend to the chicks. He really seems like he would help them no matter what. He was kind of eager to jump in right then and there and buy the place. Candy also explains how he isn’t the best help to have around but he would pitch in what he has, he would work around the land as much as he can, and leave the land to the men when he
At some point in one’s life there is not only contentment or grief, but a state of loneliness. Loneliness is a part of human life, although some suffer from isolation more than others. Being lonely can lead to depression or create a different persona in oneself. Struggling through isolation can eventually kill one’s soul, expecting no hope or ending up in dangerous situations. The novella Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck portrays the theme of loneliness especially through two characters. Crooks and Curley’s wife experience the state of isolation as they crave for a friend or someone they can talk with. Steinbeck urges readers to feel pathos when analyzing Crooks and Curley’s wife through the nature of their isolation, their actions and