Loneliness In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

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Loneliness attacks the most vulnerable of people; it settles into those who have lost friends or those who have broken dreams, and it leaves a deep feeling of isolation in them. This isolation causes desperation and longing for something as ordinary as conversation. In Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, Steinbeck creates a portrayal of loneliness through significant characters called Curley’s wife, Crooks, and Candy. The story is situated on a farm where ranchmen work hard to make just enough to lose, again and again. However, even in this seemingly unfriendly environment, two characters by the name of George and Lennie establish an unrealistic dream of success. However, the hardships of life on the ranch seem to create feelings of loneliness …show more content…
When Candy describes Crooks after George and Lennie arrive at the bunkhouse, he makes out the lonesome life that Crooks lives. Candy describes a past Christmas night, where Crooks was let into the bunkhouse, which is the only time Crooks enters the bunkhouse. However, in this occasion, he is beaten in a fight; however, this is the only time Crooks has others by his side or any significant role in the book so far, which suggests that he leads a lonesome life. After this brief introduction, Crooks is rarely mentioned until his unexpected meeting with Lennie in his bedroom. He talks to Lennie about his loneliness, using George as an example to get Lennie to understand how he feels. At first, Crooks does not want Lennie in his room, but he later submits to it, which reveals his longing for companionship. Although he sounds annoyed at Lennie’s unwarranted appearance in his room, Crooks enjoys the conversation, as it is the only one he partakes in. Furthermore, when Crooks seems to be torturing Lennie, using Crooks’ example of George to represent his own loneliness, he merely wants some sympathy, as shown when his “face [lights] with pleasure” (71) as Crooks forces Lennie into feeling the kind of lonely life that he himself lives. Signs of his loneliness appear once again when he asks Candy to join the dream farm. Candy and Lennie talk about the dream farm, and Crooks gains interest …show more content…
When she first enters the bunkhouse after George and Lennie arrive, she reveals the loneliness that lies inside of her seemingly flirty personality. Before this first encounter, she had been described as a “tart,” or a woman that dresses or acts in a provocative way. She dresses in clothing of bright red colors that are inconsistent with her surroundings. Being well dressed in a farm-like environment, along with her playful way of talking, reveals her desire to be noticed by the men. Having received the word of newcomers, Curley’s wife enters the room, stating that she is merely looking for her husband. However, this achieves exactly what she wants, which is conversation with others. She creates conversation with George with her playful attitude and grabs Lennie’s attention using her physical features. Curley’s wife tries to satisfy her loneliness by grabbing others’ attention. Curley’s wife attempts to fulfill her desire for attention when Crooks, Lennie, and Candy are in Crooks’ bedroom. Curley’s wife walks into the bedroom, asking where Curley is once again, but neither Crooks nor Candy wants to talk to her. Her desperation leads to her talking to some of the “outsiders” of the ranch. The unfriendly remarks received from Candy and Crooks helps shift Curley’s wife’s attention towards Lennie.
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