Of Mice and Men Lonliness Essay

Have you ever found yourself in a situation that left you longing for the presence of another? Such feelings were most likely invoked by loneliness; a common and reoccurring emotion that plagues everyone at one time or another. It is the existence of relationships that comforts us and keeps us intact. In the novella “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck, the loneliness caused by a lack of such companionship is a reoccurring theme. The novel takes us to a work ranch in Soledad where we are acquainted with a number of characters, each with their own stories. We are introduced to a “stable buck” (Steinbeck 21) named Crooks, an old swamper named Candy, and the wife of the boss’ son. As they are developed throughout the novel, each of these characters experiences a longing for someone to confide in. Therefore, the theme of loneliness in the novel is excellently developed by Steinbeck through the characterization of Crooks, Candy, and Curley’s wife.

A great contribution to the theme of loneliness in the novel is the characterization of Crooks. Living in an era where multiculturalism is nonexistent, Crooks finds himself in isolation because of his color. As a young child growing up in Soledad, “there wasn’t another black family [around] for miles” (Pg. 70). The only children surrounding him were white children whom his father did not allow him to socialize with. This left Crooks without anyone to befriend, causing him to become familiar with loneliness at an early age. Now as a grown man, Crooks finds himself situated at a work ranch where he is the “stable buck”. Due to the segregation between races, Crooks resides in the barn instead of the bunk house with the other men. Accustom to solitude, Crooks has become a very bitter individual towards others. When Lennie pays him a visit, Crooks is anything but friendly and attempts to make him leave. As Lennie ceases to go, Crooks begins to open up to him indirectly about his emotions. He tells Lennie, “You [have] George. You know he's goin' to come back. S'pose you didn't have nobody. A guy needs somebody - to be near him" (Pg. 72). While he has tried coping with loneliness all his life, Crooks is still longing for the company of another. He attempts to get Lennie to sympathize with him, which unfortunately Lennie’s simple mind cannot do. Crooks also adds that it “don't make no difference who the guy is, long's he's with you” (Pg. 72), showing just how desperate he is for companionship. Like Candy, Crooks is tempted by the idea of Lennie and George’s dream farm as it offers refuge from his loneliness. He suggests, “If you guys would want a hand to work for nothing- just his keep, why I’d come an’ lend a hand” (Pg. 76). Crooks is not interested in pay, as the only thing he longs for is someone to talk to.

The characterization of Candy also plays a part in creating the