Roughly forty percent of people suffer from some form of loneliness or social isolation. While one can be socially active, if his or her social interactions are meaningless or superficial, he or she will still face loneliness. In the novel Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, readers see great examples of loneliness and social isolation such as being the only black person or the only female even though these characters are constantly with people. The main characters, Lennie and George, are both detached from most except one another, and they face almost complete dependence on each other, whether for physical or emotional needs. However, they are not the only characters throughout the novel that face isolation from others because of social constructs
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Being the only woman on the farm, she is secluded and isolated from all of the men, including her own husband who treats her poorly. As she tries to seek companionship, she is rejected time and time again because the men interpret her desperation for friendship as promiscuity. When Curley’s wife tries to converse with Lennie and Crooks and is denied once again, her true feelings are finally revealed when she says “I ain’t giving you no trouble. Think I don’t like to talk somebody ever’ once in awhile? Think I like to stick in that house alla time?” Curley’s wife also describes Curley as a rash and bad tempered man, but he is the only person she can talk to without starting conflict. The farm is a man’s world, and a woman should not be living there. While sexism is still prevalent today, the U.S. quelled discrimination on the basis of sex during the 70s with the enforcement of Title IX. Until this period, there were often generalized ideas and rules regarding the conduct and interactions of men and women much like that seen in Of Mice and Men. Established ideas and stereotypes cause Curley’s wife to become isolated because of her gender despite her many attempts to create …show more content…
In Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck portrays characters from varying backgrounds who have difficulty creating worthwhile relationships because of preconceived notions. From sexism to racism to ableism, various forms of discrimination create a sense of exclusion and loneliness. Steinbeck clearly creates an environment where solitude is not self inflicted but rather the result of social barriers and false
Being the only woman on the farm, she is secluded and isolated from all of the men, including her own husband who treats her poorly. As she tries to seek companionship, she is rejected time and time again because the men interpret her desperation for friendship as promiscuity. When Curley’s wife tries to converse with Lennie and Crooks and is denied once again, her true feelings are finally revealed when she says “I ain’t giving you no trouble. Think I don’t like to talk somebody ever’ once in awhile? Think I like to stick in that house alla time?” Curley’s wife also describes Curley as a rash and bad tempered man, but he is the only person she can talk to without starting conflict. The farm is a man’s world, and a woman should not be living there. While sexism is still prevalent today, the U.S. quelled discrimination on the basis of sex during the 70s with the enforcement of Title IX. Until this period, there were often generalized ideas and rules regarding the conduct and interactions of men and women much like that seen in Of Mice and Men. Established ideas and stereotypes cause Curley’s wife to become isolated because of her gender despite her many attempts to create …show more content…
In Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck portrays characters from varying backgrounds who have difficulty creating worthwhile relationships because of preconceived notions. From sexism to racism to ableism, various forms of discrimination create a sense of exclusion and loneliness. Steinbeck clearly creates an environment where solitude is not self inflicted but rather the result of social barriers and false