"A guy needs somebody – to be near him" (Steinbeck 72). If asked, many people would wholeheartedly agree with this statement, and would not normally choose loneliness to have upon themselves. The feeling of loneliness is not something you would normally choose to have upon yourself. The story Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck, shows how loneliness and the need for companionship affects us through the discrimination of Crooks, the character of Curley's wife, and George and Lennie's friendship.
Loneliness is portrayed with the discrimination of Crooks throughout the book. In the barn, Crooks confides in Lennie about how he feels like an outsider. Crooks cries to Lennie, “I tell ya a guy gets too lonely an’ he gets sick” (Steinbeck 72-73). This dialogue from Crooks suggests that he greatly wishes for a companion and to feel one in the same with the others. Crooks just wants to play rummy with the guys, but he is not welcome or wanted in the other’s bunkhouse because of his race. Crooks whines, “S’pose you couldn’t go into the bunkhouse and play rummy ‘cause you was black. How’d you like that?” (Steinbeck 72). Crook’s thoughts express that he completely believes everyone needs someone they can talk to and trust. Another example is, when the other ranchers go out and Crooks is not invited to tag along with them. When Lennie first arrives in the barn, he tells Crooks that everybody went into town (Steinbeck 68). After Crooks hears the …show more content…
Throughout Of Mice and Men, the fact is told that the feeling of trust and someone to turn to can be essential for our wellbeing. Loneliness and the need for companionship are common struggles that can be fixed simply by the comfort of a