Desolation In 'Curley's Wife And The Boss'

The 1930’s was desolate time for the California ranch life and many workers were eager to find comfort in others. In his novel Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck describes a handful of the characters who are reclusive and isolated. Each desires the amenity of a friend, but will be contented with the conscientious ear of a stranger.

Steinbeck has incorporated a lack of names for characters such as “Curley's wife” and “The Boss”. The Boss has no real name because the men could care less for him and don't like him. All they want from him is money and a job, and after that is taken care of they just forget him. As for Curley’s wife, the men see her more as an object than a actual person. They don't even take the time to know her as a person and automatically
Crooks is separated from the other men because of his color. Back in the 1930’s many African Americans had no rights and were discriminated against because of their color. He understands the men don't like him around and he would rather be isolated instead of ridiculed for something he simply can't change about himself. Because Crooks is so disliked he doesn't often get much company. When Crooks first meets Lennie he doesn't push him away like the other because he also realizes that Lennie doesn't understand much and will just listen to anyone. Crooks explains to Lennie that life is no good without a companion to turn to in times of confusion and need. “‘A guy goes nuts if he ain't got nobody. Don't make no difference who the guy is, long’s he’s with you. I tell ya.” he cried, “I tell ya a guy gets too lonely an he gets sick’”(35) He believes that everybody needs a friend and being lonely is one of the worst feelings in the world. Just like Candy, Crooks also wants to share the farm because he also wants to feel free and wanted. He knows that if he were to leave the ranch and have his own place that he wouldn't be so discriminated against. He would actually be able to live a carefree
Constantly throughout the novel Curley's wife is always going around claiming she is looking for Curly, but in reality she's just trying to find someone to talk to or who will keep her company. Curley's wife feels as if Curley could care less about her, and only uses her. Therefore she goes looking for something more but gets rejected every time. She flirts with the workers but they feel as if she just wants to ruin other people's lives and drive them crazy. She admits her loneliness to Lenny, Crooks, and Candy at the barn saying, “Think I don't like to talk to somebody ever’ once in awhile? Think I like to stick in that house alla time?”(38) She also confesses she is unhappily married as well. She admits to feeling a kind of shameless dissatisfaction with her life. She feels such a strong need for companionship that she even starts to cuddle up to Lenny in the barn. She seems to enjoy Lennie a lot because of his small mind and his ability to listen, just like everyone else. She confesses to Lennie that she could have been a movie star but never got a letter and instead settled for Curly. Knowing that she could have been something huge in the real world and loved by many defeats her. She's constantly craving for something close enough to make her feel like a star