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A secondary source of loneliness
Literary theories for isolation
Causes of loneliness essay
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Factors that can fuel loneliness are abundant: depression, trauma, social rejection, loss, low self-esteem, etc. The aspect of human connection and interaction is a psychological requirement for all people, even to those who push others away. These elements of isolation are presented through three methods in a 1938 novel of friendship. John Steinbeck uses indirect characterization, discrimination, and conflict to demonstrate the effects of loneliness and need for companionship in his novel Of Mice and Men. As a method of contributing to the effects of loneliness, isolation and need for companionship, Steinbeck refers to indirect characterization between the characters in the novel. One way Steinbeck utilizes indirect characterization is via …show more content…
This aspect is reflected by use of the time period’s race standards, as revealed in the following quote. Crooks whined in sorrow, “A guy goes nuts if he ain’t got nobody.” (Steinbeck 73). This quote suggests that Crooks’ exposure of discrimination has forced his isolation, preventing him from a healthy amount of human interaction and possibly driving mental illness. The indifference to women back then also donates to the effects of isolation and loneliness in the novel, as seen through Curley’s wife. Curley’s wife yells in exasperation, “Ain’t I got a right to talk to nobody?” (Steinbeck 87). This quote illustrates Curley’s wife’s frustration and anger of being shunned by the other people on the ranch, and the lack of her actual name, only being referred to as “Curley’s wife”, may also reveal her as being considered Curley’s property rather than spouse. In the novel, the characteristic of inevitability of age contributes to the effects of isolation and need for companionship. After Candy’s dog is shot, it’s revealed that Candy faces age discrimination. Candy comments in a monotone voice: “Jus’ as soon as I can’t swamp out no bunkhouses they’ll put me on the county,” (Steinbeck 60). This example shows that Candy is aware of how useless he is in the eyes of the other men on the ranch due to his age, and will face adversity of being …show more content…
Furthermore, provided to these effects is peer pressure towards characters. After failing to convince Carlson and Slim that his dog doesn’t have to be shot, Candy says in defeat, “Awright—take ‘im.” (Steinbeck 47). This quote shows Candy giving in to the peer pressure of Carlson and Slim pressing him to kill his dog despite his internal conflict of wanting to keep his only companion alive. Consequences of actions effect loneliness and isolation in the story, specifically through Lennie’s actions and his reactions to them. Lennie said miserably, “I tried, Aunt Clara, ma’am. I tried and tried.” This quote reveals Lennie, while physically isolated from the others, is painfully aware of his actions that resulted in trouble, such as causing the death of Curley’s wife, which George strictly told him to avoid, and Aunt Clara personifies his guilt and loneliness in the consequences. Insecurity and persona exhibit effects of loneliness and isolation. Curley stared coldly at Lennie and said menacingly, “Well, nex’ time you answer when you’re spoke to,” (Steinbeck 26). This quote suggests Curley adopts a macho and threatening persona to hide his insecurity of being a small man, isolating himself from that reality and his wife, who he apparently treats unfairly. In the novel, Of Mice and Men, the effects of loneliness and need for companionship
For example, Curley’s wife attempts to interact with Lennie. She convinces Lennie to stay and converse with her after reasoning “what kinda harm am I doin’?” (88). Curley’s wife enjoys talking with Lennie and even lets him pet her prized hair. Additionally, Crooks finds companionship with Lennie. “I thought I could jus’ come in an’ set” (68) Lennie exclaims to Crooks the night the other men were out. He kept him company and both ultimately bonded after having a good time with each other. Also, Candy introduces himself to Lennie and George when they first arrive at the ranch. They develop a trust between each other, leading to the planning of “fixing up an’ little old house an’ go living there” (60). Trusting George, Candy generously donates funds to their future property, as a token for George appreciating him and making him feel important. Throughout the book, failure to interact between other characters happens often. For example, the men on the ranch consistently reject Curley’s wife, even her own husband, Curley. The men yell at her and question “why she doesn’t stay in her home where she belongs?” (62). Lennie tries conversing with her, but it only results with breaking her neck from strangling. Furthermore, Crooks tries talking to the other men, but results in exclusion and bullying. The other men discriminate Crooks from their activities, thinking “cause he’s black, he stinks” (68). Finally, Candy speaks to Carlson in the beginning in his bunker. Unfortunately, the conversation only ends with convincing Candy to have Carlson shoot his sheep dog, “to put the old devil out of his misery” (47). The shooting upsets Candy because his sheep dog was a son to him, followed him everywhere, and kept him company on the ranch. Through trial and error, Curley's wife, Crooks, and Candy interacts with other characters, resulting in successful and
In my essay I will discuss the theme of loneliness in the novel “Of Mice And Men.” The essay will consist of information based on the novel towards minor characters such as Curley’s Wife, Candy and Crooks. This essay will provide information about Curley’s Wife, Candy and Crooks’ loneliness. Curley’s Wife was probably one of the loneliest characters of all. She never talked to anyone and she never really liked Curley all that much.
In terms of emotional stability, there is only one thing in life that is really needed and that is friends. Without friends, people would suffer from loneliness and solitude. Loneliness leads to low self-esteem and deprivation. In the novel, Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck, the characters, Crooks, Candy, and Curley's wife all exhibit some form of loneliness. They are driven towards the curiosity of George and Lennie's friendship because they do not have that support in their life. Through his novel, Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck demonstrates that often times, a victim of isolation will have a never-ending search to fulfill a friendship.
Mother Theresa once said, "Loneliness is a man's worst poverty." Without friends and companions, people begin to suffer from loneliness and solitude (Dusenbury 38). Loneliness is an inevitable fact of life and cannot be avoided, as shown prevalent through each of the characters in John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men. Each and every character in this novel exhibits loneliness. Lennie was isolated for being mentally handicapped, Candy was isolated for being old and disabled, Crooks was for being black, Curley's wife for being a woman, and George for having to care for Lennie and being unable to socialize with others because of Lennie's consistency of getting into trouble from town to town.
Not having any friends is one of the reasons why Crooks is lonely. The other workers on the ranch take place in fun activities, such as horseshoes and card games. Crooks never gets invited to play. This resentment is due solely to the color of his skin. The other characters all have someone to talk to. George and Lennie have each other, Candy had both his dogs. The other workers are friends with one another. Curley’s wife is also lonely, but still has Curley. The men sit in the bunk house, talk and have fun on occasion. Meanwhile Crooks is in his shed all alone. Crooks tries to explain to Lennie in
Through his novel, Steinbeck shows how loneliness can cause people to turn hostile, and constantly want to fight because they have no one to really talk to, they also act desperately due to their loneliness, and do things they normally wouldn’t. Loneliness can have terrible effects on people’s behavior, but it can be fixed. All that is necessary is a kind and patient friend willing to bridge the gap and bring the lonely person out of their misery, giving them someone to talk to and to confide in. If those people had someone there for them, they would no longer feel like screaming, or snapping at anyone who tries to talk to them, and they would go back to being happier, more content people.
Strengths and Weaknesses play a huge roll within the story. Steinbeck explores different types of strength and weakness throughout the novel. As the novel begins, Steinbeck shows how Lennie possesses physical strength beyond his control, as when he cannot help killing the mouse. Great physical strength is valuable in George and Lennie's circumstances. Curley, as a symbol of authority on the ranch and a champion boxer, makes this clear immediately by using his brutish strength and violent temper to intimidate those who look down on him. Lennie means no harm at all. The reason why George and Lennie had to leave in the beginning of the novel was because it was believed that Lennie attempted to rape a woman there. Rape was not the case at all, when Lennie expressed his love for the touch of soft things, such as a dress or a mouse, this panicked the woman causing a chain reaction, and causing Lennie panic also. When Lennie accidentally kills the mouse, it foreshadows the future of Lennie and Curley's wife.
Curley and his wife are constantly looking for each other, and problems arise because of her existence. The following quote is presented by Slim towards Curley. “Well, you been askin’ me too often. I’m gettin’ God damn sick of it. If you can’t look after your own God damn wife, what do you expect me to do about it? You lay offa me” (Steinbeck 60-61). This quote foreshadows that Curley will start one of his fits. Steinbeck is showing an example of misogyny; Curley’s wife’s existence is ultimately the reason why Curley mauled Lennie. Candy explains how Curley’s wife potentially ruins George and Lennie’s dream: “‘You God damn tramp,’ he said viciously. ‘You done it, di’n’t you? I s’pose you’re glad. Ever’body knowed you’d mess things up. You wasn’t no good. You ain’t no good now, you lousy tart.’ He sniveled, and his voice shook. ‘I could of hoed in the garden and washed dishes for them guys’” (Steinbeck 95). Candy and the other men on the ranch know that Curley’s wife is a threat, and her death means even more trouble. Candy complains that he could have helped George and Lennie accomplish their dream, but now, it is nearly impossible. He previously cautions George and Lennie that they could lose their jobs because of her. However, Lennie is one of the “weak” characters that Curley’s wife plans to manipulate, and so he soon gives into her persuasion. This
In the story, Curley is most of the time running around, looking for his wife who always goes to the bunkhouse, showing the eye. She was in the stable with Lenny, Candy, and Crooks when she said, “ Think I don't like to talk to somebody ever' once in a while? Think I like to stick in that house alla time”(Steinback). Even though she is married, Curley’s wife gets very lonely because Curley doesn’t care about her. To have some fun, she goes to the bunkhouse, but everyone think she’s trouble. The hands want her gone because they are afraid one of them would rat the other hand out for talking to her. Another example of loneliness is Candy. When Carlson said to shoot Candy’s old dog, Candy immediately argued and said, “"Well- hell! I had him so long. Had him since he was a pup. I herded sheep with him”(Steinbeck). In a time where people can’t even trust Slim, people would get very lonely. Candy had the dog since it was a pulp. Even though it is a dog, Candy has a companion, a friend. So when Candy doesn’t want Carlson to kill Candy’s dog, it isn’t because he thinks the dog is still useful, but because once the dog dies, Candy will only have himself. In this example, the bunkhouse is the place where Candy decides to abandon his only friend and allow a stranger to be the last thing Candy’s dog sees when he dies. The bunkhouse may not be influencing these decisions, but people who been to bunkhouse can’t help but
In his novel Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck depicts the essential loneliness of California ranch life in the 1930s. He illustrates how people are driven to find companionship. There were so many moments of loneliness and sadness throughout the novel, including many deaths. Following the deaths, they were very unexpected making the novel more intense and latch onto it more.
Steinbeck expresses the theme of loneliness in the character of Candy. Candy is lonely because his is missing half an arm. Candy?s disability separates him from society, an example of Curley being set aside is when everybody else goes to town he is left in the barn with Crooks, Lennie, and Curley?s wife. Candy?s only friendship was with his old, smelly dog. Candy?s dog was a symbol of himself (old, and useless). When Carlson kills Candy?s dog he kills Candy on the inside as well.
In the touching and gripping tale of John Steinbeck’s novel, Of Mice and Men, he explains many themes throughout the books. One of the major themes is loneliness, which is shown throughout many different characters, for example, Curley’s wife, the stable buck (Crooks), and Lennie.
In the novel Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck uses stereotypes and discrimination to convey a message of how the characters feel. A lot of the stereotypes and clichés are just common beliefs of the times, but a few are situational. To quote a quite distinguished reader, "Characters are ‘trapped’- either by what others think of them, or by their situation." A lot of the character’s feelings about themselves and what others think of them will lead to loneliness.
Candy uses his frustration and blames Curley’s wife for everything: “You done it, di’nt you? I s’pose you’re glad. Ever’body knowed you’d mess things up. You wasn’t no good” (Steinbeck 95). At this particular moment, Candy loses all sense of security. He feels the need to blame Curley’s wife because his almost-reached dream vanishes. Candy knows if Lennie gets caught, their dreams of owning a ranch will never be reachable again. Candy takes out his frustration and devastation on Curley’s wife in order to make himself feel better. After acknowledging that Lennie is no longer safe and the dream is gone, Candy falls back into a state of depression. He cannot fulfill his dreams of working on George and Lennie’s ranch because there will be no such ranch. If there is no future ranch, Candy realizes that his current boss will fire him soon. After this realization, all hope for a better future for Candy is lost. Much like Candy’s wife, Candy has no control over this situation. There is no possible way of knowing who or when someone will die. He also has no control over his disabled arm. There is only so much one can do without a
...ars for the fidelity of his wife as he believes there is a chance that Slim could be with her, despite his good nature. This makes the audience believe that Curley knows his wife is capable of anything, and that he would rather have her under his control. However, the poignant side to Curley’s Wife’s victimisation is when she is victimised due to the stereotypical image of women, either mother or prostitute. This adds a dark shadow over her complicated character, because the way she dresses, and the shoes she wears, especially at the ranch of all places, is unnatural. Also, her manipulative ways ironically cost her life, as she was probably toying with Lennie being mentally handicapped. Overall, I believe that the way that Curley’s Wife has cast her impression upon everyone, has eventually made her a victim of society, the ranch workers, and most importantly, herself.