Of Mice And Men Crooks Loneliness

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According to Dictionary.com, being lonely is being “affected with, characterized by, or causing a depressing feeling of being alone” (Dictionary.com). Conversely, alone is defined as “separate, apart, or isolated from others” (Dictionary.com). Although the words may seem similar, there is a distinct difference between the two, which is brought to light by many characters in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men. It is particularly demonstrated by Crooks, the stable hand, who lives a very lonely life. Crooks’ overwhelming loneliness can be seen through his suspicion of others, exclusion due to his color, and longing and desperation to make friends. Of Mice and Men is a novel about two men, George and Lennie, who travel the countryside of California …show more content…

Some people that are alone are isolated from others and do not mind it. Due to the attitude that Crooks has toward his being alone, he is more lonely than he is alone. He is segregated from the other men on the ranch and is miserable because of it. In addition to his glum feeling of isolation, Crooks has developed a cold attitude toward the others on the ranch, mostly due to the fact that they are white and exclude him from most activities. When Lennie asks Crooks why he is not wanted in the bunk house, Lennie expresses his disgust to him by saying, “‘’Cause I’m black. They play cards in there, but I can’t play because I’m black. They say I stink. Well, I tell you, you all of you stink to me’”(Steinbeck 68). Crooks has become hardened because of his As a result of Crooks’ being excluded and his hard feelings toward the others on the ranch, he becomes very suspicious of them and keeps to himself. He is very skeptical in allowing Lennie into his room. He tells him, “‘I ain’t wanted in the bunk house, and you ain’t wanted in my room’”(Steinbeck 68). He has developed a dislike for people, especially white ones, because they have neglected him on so many occasions. He does He has become very skeptical of people and of letting them get close to him. These feelings are another result of his

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