Companionship In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men
Crucial Companionship
From the moment they are born, all humans have the innate need to be a with others. Babies cry when they want to be held, cliques form in schools, people get married, and families stick closely together throughout the years - all because humans need to ensure that they will not be alone, that they will have a companion. In the realistic fiction novella, Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck, the theme of companionship plays an important role. Throughout the story, Steinbeck emphasises the importance of companionship in life by creating characters who live with or without companionship. Companionship was especially important in the lives of the characters in the novella because the story takes place in the 1930’s. During that time, several events, the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression, tested …show more content…
Crooks is a black stable buck who works on the ranch. Because he is black, he is isolated from the other workers and is not allowed to play cards or live in the bunkhouse with them. Instead, he has a room in the barn by himself. Crooks is so isolated that when Lennie comes into his room, he is surprised because no one ever enters his room to talk to him. Crooks says “You go on get outta my room. I ain’t wanted in the bunkhouse, and you ain’t wanted in my room.” ‘Why ain’t you wanted?’ Lennie asked. ‘Cause I’m black. They play cards in there, but I can’t because I’m black. They say I stink. Well, I tell you, you all stink to me.’” (68; ch. 4). Crooks also says, “There wasn’t another colored family for miles around. And now there ain’t another colored man on this ranch…” (70; ch. 4). Without a companion and because of his race, Crooks becomes isolated and has nobody to interact with. Crooks’ lack of companionship also causes him to be extremely lonely, and he desperately wants somebody to talk to. He envies Lennie’s companionship with George and asks
From the moment they are born, all humans have the innate need to be a with others. Babies cry when they want to be held, cliques form in schools, people get married, and families stick closely together throughout the years - all because humans need to ensure that they will not be alone, that they will have a companion. In the realistic fiction novella, Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck, the theme of companionship plays an important role. Throughout the story, Steinbeck emphasises the importance of companionship in life by creating characters who live with or without companionship. Companionship was especially important in the lives of the characters in the novella because the story takes place in the 1930’s. During that time, several events, the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression, tested …show more content…
Crooks is a black stable buck who works on the ranch. Because he is black, he is isolated from the other workers and is not allowed to play cards or live in the bunkhouse with them. Instead, he has a room in the barn by himself. Crooks is so isolated that when Lennie comes into his room, he is surprised because no one ever enters his room to talk to him. Crooks says “You go on get outta my room. I ain’t wanted in the bunkhouse, and you ain’t wanted in my room.” ‘Why ain’t you wanted?’ Lennie asked. ‘Cause I’m black. They play cards in there, but I can’t because I’m black. They say I stink. Well, I tell you, you all stink to me.’” (68; ch. 4). Crooks also says, “There wasn’t another colored family for miles around. And now there ain’t another colored man on this ranch…” (70; ch. 4). Without a companion and because of his race, Crooks becomes isolated and has nobody to interact with. Crooks’ lack of companionship also causes him to be extremely lonely, and he desperately wants somebody to talk to. He envies Lennie’s companionship with George and asks