Steinbeck uses various examples to show the theme of loneliness through the setting of the novel. For example, Crook’s is isolated from all the other ranch workers primarily because he is black. He lives alone in a little room with only little entertainment through …show more content…
Steinbeck uses many different symbols such as animals, friendship and money to show the theme of loneliness. Candy, an old physically disabled worker on the ranch had owned a dog ever since he was born, once it was time to put the dog down, Candy then realises how lonely he really was without his best friend. After the loss of his dog, he then decides he wants to join Lennie and George on their journey in order to escape the feeling of being lonely. Steinbeck also uses the symbol of friendship to show the theme of loneliness. Lennie and George’s friendship is together in order to prevent them both being lonely and sad. Even though George always complains about having to take care of Lennie, he always stays with Lennie because he fears that he will then become lonely with no family or friends. These symbols used by Steinbeck are extremely important in order to explore the theme of …show more content…
Steinbeck portrays all the characters being lonely in one way or another. Probably the loneliest person in the book is Curley’s wife. Being the only female on the ranch, she always on her own looking for Curley, and she finds it hard to make friends or talk to anyone due to all the ranch workers not wanting any trouble with Curley if they get caught (due to him being the boss’s son). Earlier in the book, Curley’s wife explains her “American dream” which never came true because she married Curley. This shows that her life didn’t go to plan due to marrying the wrong person which resulted in her moving to the ranch and being lonely. Another character example is Lennie and George. Ever since Lennie’s Aunt Clara died, George has always looked after Lennie keeping him out of trouble. “When his Aunt Clara died, Lennie just come along with me out working'. Got kind of used to each other after a little while”. Since Lennie has known George for so long, he always relies on George to think and do for him. Without George, he fears that Lennie would be lonely and get himself killed. Steinbeck has used Lennie and George as an example of escaping loneliness as they always stick together to avoid being lonely and not having any family, this is why George stayed with Lennie for all those years.
John Steinbeck’s 1937 novel “Of Mice and Men” is a story about two farm labours (Lennie and George) who work extremely