How Does Steinbeck Present Loneliness In Of Mice And Men

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The book “Of Mice and Men” is a novella written by John Steinbeck. It was set during The Great Depression in the 1930s. The two main characters are George and Lennie. They both travel together and have their dream of owning their own Ranch. Out of the many themes in the book, Steinbeck portrays Loneliness greatly throughout the novella. Some of the characters who feel isolated are George, one of the protagonists, Crooks, a black worker on the ranch, and Curley’s wife. Loneliness is the result from lack of companionship and is an emotional response to isolation. Steinbeck expresses the theme of loneliness in the character George in many ways. George is the intelligent one of the duo. He is quick-witted and open minded. He is also a guardian to Lennie as he takes care of him. George is in disfavor with himself. He explains to Lennie early in the novella how life as a ranch-hand is one of the loneliest lives to live. How moving from farm to farm in search of work, there is no time for companionship. “Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They belong in no place.”(13). He even went as far as describing him and Lennie as the loneliest guys in the world. Loneliness, however motivates George and Lennie to work and …show more content…

She is set apart from everyone else as she is the only woman on the ranch. Curley doesn’t see his wife as someone who needs love and companionship but rather as an object that he can control. As a result of her loneliness,Curley’s wife is always found trying to find companionship with the other men on the ranch, but they do not budge. They are afraid if they are caught associating with her they will lose their jobs. When Curley’s wife was talking to Lennie she said “Why can’t I talk to you? I never get to talk to nobody. I get awful lonely.”(86) Her uncaring husband and his absence to accompany her is what drives her to talk to other

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