The Role Of Loneliness In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

In the 1930’s, the worst economic decline in history of the industrialized world happened, and it created great economic, social, and psychological pressure on each person living in that time. Author John Steinbeck wrote a novella called “Of Mice and Men” that illustrated the struggles of the single men working their way to each town, and finding jobs during this time, this time was called The Great Depression. In this story Steinbeck perceptively depicts the loneliness and rootlessness of men who must scramble simply to stay alive. In the beginning of the novella, Steinbeck makes great emphasis on setting. There is a path that is described as “A path beaten hard by boys coming down from the ranches” (p. 1&2), and that it is also “beaten by tramps who come

A perfect example and explanation of this feeling is portrayed by the old ranch worker Candy. Candy had only his dog, but Carlson, another ranch worker, persuaded him into killing off the dog. Steinbeck shows Candy’s emotional attachment and reaction before and after he lost his dog, which was the only thing he had most of his life. Before its shown by, “No, I couldn’ do that. I had ‘im too long.” (p.45), and after, “Candy lay rigidly on his bed staring at the ceiling.” (p.48). The moments of loneliness did not only affect the men, but the people around them also. The boss of the ranch has a son who works there, Curley, Curley had a wife who was desperate for attention. Later in the story when her feelings of loneliness killed her, Steinbeck described her death very particularly, “And the meanness and planning’s and the ache for attention were all gone from her face.” (p.92). Steinbeck perfectly described the contrast and advantage of Curley’s Wife’s death. Steinbeck explained by her face that she no longer suffered the ache for attention, and had departed happily from her