One significant character that symbolizes loneliness, is Crooks. Crooks is the only African American character in Of Mice and Men. Because of the time period that the story takes place, he is treated unfairly. Instead of being allowed to stay in the bunkhouse with the other workers, he is forced to stay in an area with no one but himself. If …show more content…
Lennie is similar to Crooks and Curley’s wife, because he is an outcast as well. At the start of the book it immediately shows he is an outcast by what George, his best friend, tells him “I could get along so easy and so nice if I didn’t have you on my tail. I could live so easy and maybe have a girl” (Steinbeck 7). George reminds Lennie of this multiple times, and only takes it back when Lennie accepts it and nearly goes off on his own to leave George alone. Although George is never serious when he says these selfish things, it still shows how Lennie can be an outsider. But, Lennie isn’t just an outsider when it comes to George. He is also left out on many activities that the others in the bunkhouse go to. He is also made fun of often, because of his mental capability. He is treated very differently for it, making him an