When the Europeans first came to north America, they only inhabited the east coast. Naturally, wanting more land, they needed to explore the rest of the country. Two explorers named Lewis and Clark set out to do just that. However, what would Lewis have done without Clark, and how would Clark fair without Lewis? In Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, characters provide each other the same purpose that Lewis and Clark did. In this way, the novel demonstrates that friendship gives life meaning. The friendless characters have been lonely for so long, their lives no longer have meaning. Both Crooks and Curley’s wife’s lives lack love and affection to give them purpose. Since Crooks has lived in white towns his entire life, his lack of friends
