Summary: Loneliness plays an important role in John Steinbeck's novel Of Mice and Men. As Steinbeck illustrates through Curley's wife, Candy, and Crooks, companionship and a sense of belonging are vital to human happiness; all three characters face problems and negative feelings because of their loneliness and isolation.
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Loneliness is one of the primary themes in Of Mice and Men. Throughout the novel, John Steinbeck shows the enormous effect that loneliness has on the characters. Steinbeck most clearly illustrates this theme through Crooks, Candy, and Curley's wife. Ranch hands are ideal types of people to portray as being lonely, because their constant travel leaves them without someone to talk to or share things with. Steinbeck also shows how important it is for every human being to have a companion. Companionship is necessary in order for someone to live an enjoyable life. Although loneliness affects each one of the characters in Of Mice and Men differently, they all experience negative feelings from their lack of companionship.
In Of Mice and Men, no other character outwardly conveys their loneliness more so than Curley's wife. She.....
Curly's wife is perhaps one of the most significant themes of loneliness in the novel. She flirts with all the guys on the farm and dresses and acts like a **** because her husband does not love her,leaves her alone all day and she's lonely. Weirdly enough,I felt sorry for her because she is trapped feeling lonely in a loveless marriage,and besides no one on the ranch ever really gives her a chance to be change,they just take one look at her and say "She's trouble",or "I think Curly's wife is a tart".
•Crooks is another great theme of lonliness in the novel too. Because Crooks is African-American during the Great Depression,he is left out of the crowd at the ranch,and spends his days all alone in the stable,thus he is called The Stable