Of Mice And Men Isolation Analysis
Of Mice and Men teaches a grim lesson about the predatory nature of human existence. At some point in Steinbeck’s novella, each character admits to feeling a profound sense of loneliness, save for George and Lennie. They feel so isolated that they are rendered helpless, and even still they seek to destroy others weaker than themselves for power. Perhaps the most significant example of this cruel tendency is when Crooks criticizes Lennie’s dream of the farm. Crooks knows that while Lennie may be physically strong, he is intellectually weak, and Crooks could not help but take advantage of him. However, Crooks himself has his own vulnerabilities; being the only black man for miles places a heavy feeling of isolation. Only after nearly reducing
Lennie to tears does Crooks feel comfortable discussing his own problems... Likewise, Curley’s wife feels the most powerful after she threatens to have Crooks killed. In situations like these, Crooks and Curley’s wife may seem strong, but they are really weak and vulnerable, and are preying on those stronger than them. Even though this book was published in the 1930s, during the Great Depression, most of its moral values still apply to the modern society of the 21st century. Steinbeck sends a message to students to be strong when faced with peer pressure, that their bully is just another human being who is actually weaker than they, that even though the human race is cruel and predatory, it is because those oppressors are actually the most vulnerable. He tells students that while the human race can be cruel and predatory, they must be prepared to escape the hunt, armed with good friends and emotional strength.
Lennie to tears does Crooks feel comfortable discussing his own problems... Likewise, Curley’s wife feels the most powerful after she threatens to have Crooks killed. In situations like these, Crooks and Curley’s wife may seem strong, but they are really weak and vulnerable, and are preying on those stronger than them. Even though this book was published in the 1930s, during the Great Depression, most of its moral values still apply to the modern society of the 21st century. Steinbeck sends a message to students to be strong when faced with peer pressure, that their bully is just another human being who is actually weaker than they, that even though the human race is cruel and predatory, it is because those oppressors are actually the most vulnerable. He tells students that while the human race can be cruel and predatory, they must be prepared to escape the hunt, armed with good friends and emotional strength.