Loneliness In Of Mice And Men

In the novel Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck uses three main themes: American Dream, Loneliness and Isolation, and the nature of friendship throughout the novel. The novel Of Mice and Men is about two friends working as migrant workers during the great depression. Throughout the novel Steinbeck shows how each character is lonely and isolated in their own ways, such as Curly's wife by her gender, Crooks because of his race, and Candy due to his disability and his age. Curly's wife is isolated throughout the novel by her gender. When Curly comes into the bunkhouse looking for his wife Carlson tells him, "Why don't you tell her to stay home where she belongs?" (pg. 62) This passage shows how women were treated back then. Women were suppose to stay home and do house work. Curly's wife is the only woman on the ranch so she does not have any friends. Another quote that shows Curly's wife's loneliness in
After Carlson shot Candy's dog Candy tells George, "I oughtta of shot that dog myself, George. I shouldn't oughtta of let no stranger shoot my dog" (pg. 61). This shows that he is lonely because when his dog dies he losses his only friend. This causes Candy to become even more lonely and isolated. When Candy tells George about his injury he says, "I got hurt four years ago. They'll can me purty soon. Jus' as soon as I can't swamp out no bunkhouse they'll put me on the county" (pg. 60). This shows how Candy is isolated due to his disability. He has no one that cares to help him when he gets canned off the ranch. In the end, Candy is isolated due to his age and disability. In conclusion, loneliness and isolation can be found for many different reasons, such as gender, race, age, and disabilities. In novel, Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck shows how each character is lonely and isolated in their own way such as Curly's wife by her gender, Crooks because of his race, and Candy due to his disability and his