In his novel Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck illustrates the lonesomeness of workers on farms. His subtlety portrays the effects loneliness has on a man. The need for companionship is deep seeded in the human soul. People are meant to be with other people, not alone.
The absence of some of the character names such as the Boss and Curley’s wife makes the characters seem lonely or isolated. The Boss seems to be an impatient man, but he does not shy away from conversation. Candy, a character in the book, said that the Boss, “Brang a gallon of whisky right in here and says, ‘Drink hearty, boys. Christmas comes but once a year’” (Steinbeck 11). Curley’s wife is a character whose lack of name makes her seem lonesome and without identity. It causes …show more content…
They are men who only have each other. Neither of their families are living or known to be alive. Early in the book, Lennie talked about leaving George and George replied, “Your Aunt Clara wouldn’t like you running off by yourself, even if she is dead” (Steinbeck 7). George enjoys the company of Lennie and he also realizes that Lennie can’t survive without him. With Lennie styled as a pet in the book, an assumption can be made that Lennie needs George and is helpless on his own. At the same time, George has an interesting philosophy about individual workers. “’Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world… They ain’t got nothing to look ahead to’” (Steinbeck 8). These men are living beings without a future or a hope. Their status is dismal. Yet, every once in a while, workers meet people that act as an audience to their problems. Slim is George’s audience. He listens to George about Lennie, the troubles up in Weed, among other subjects. All men need methods to release the frustrations of their …show more content…
George and Lennie had a hope of buying land because they could talk about their dreams. Hope produces itself when in the right situation. By losing his dog, Candy had hope in the farm. It was a fantasy of the future. Crooks also had part of this dream because of his isolation and how much he hated it. He didn’t want to be alone. “’If you . . . . guys would want a hand to work for nothing—just his keep, why I’d come an’ lend a hand. I ain’t so crippled I can’t work…’” (Steinbeck 37-38). Crooks wasn’t even looking for any pay, just somebody to be around and a warm place to
The absence of some of the character names such as the Boss and Curley’s wife makes the characters seem lonely or isolated. The Boss seems to be an impatient man, but he does not shy away from conversation. Candy, a character in the book, said that the Boss, “Brang a gallon of whisky right in here and says, ‘Drink hearty, boys. Christmas comes but once a year’” (Steinbeck 11). Curley’s wife is a character whose lack of name makes her seem lonesome and without identity. It causes …show more content…
They are men who only have each other. Neither of their families are living or known to be alive. Early in the book, Lennie talked about leaving George and George replied, “Your Aunt Clara wouldn’t like you running off by yourself, even if she is dead” (Steinbeck 7). George enjoys the company of Lennie and he also realizes that Lennie can’t survive without him. With Lennie styled as a pet in the book, an assumption can be made that Lennie needs George and is helpless on his own. At the same time, George has an interesting philosophy about individual workers. “’Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world… They ain’t got nothing to look ahead to’” (Steinbeck 8). These men are living beings without a future or a hope. Their status is dismal. Yet, every once in a while, workers meet people that act as an audience to their problems. Slim is George’s audience. He listens to George about Lennie, the troubles up in Weed, among other subjects. All men need methods to release the frustrations of their …show more content…
George and Lennie had a hope of buying land because they could talk about their dreams. Hope produces itself when in the right situation. By losing his dog, Candy had hope in the farm. It was a fantasy of the future. Crooks also had part of this dream because of his isolation and how much he hated it. He didn’t want to be alone. “’If you . . . . guys would want a hand to work for nothing—just his keep, why I’d come an’ lend a hand. I ain’t so crippled I can’t work…’” (Steinbeck 37-38). Crooks wasn’t even looking for any pay, just somebody to be around and a warm place to