Of Mice and Men - Loneliness

Loneliness

Feeling lonely affects peoples choices and behaviors in many ways. In the book, Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck, Curley's wife, Crooks and Lennie all experience feelings of loneliness. These feelings that they show affect their behaviors and choices they have made.

In the book Of Mice and Men, Lennie is a victim of loneliness. When he was left behind by his Aunt Clara, George decided to take care of him. It was really hard for George because Lennie was mentally retarded. There are many parts in the book where Lennie is left alone. When George and Lennie got a new job at the Tyler ranch Lennie became more lonely. Every time the guys would go out they would leave him behind including George. "All the boys gone into town huh?" said Crooks "all but old Candy…" said Lennie. When Lennie met Crooks he wasn't very welcomed in but they ended up liking each other.

Loneliness is no stranger to Curley's wife. Due to her husbands jealousy and the ridiculously harsh demands he puts upon her, she has to face her days in an isolated emotional state. At their home and their barn, Curley's wife is the only female. Under no circumstances does Curley permit her to engage any conversation with the employees, who all happen to be men. Since she is the only female, without other women to speak with and the disapproval of speaking with the workers she feels extremely lonely. Her

loneliness is certainly a behavior that is not her choice, but one that she apparently has no say in.

Another character, Crooks, also is very familiar with the feeling of loneliness. Just like Curley's wife, Crooks' loneliness is not his choice. Crooks is an employee of Curley's and works in the barn. He is not accepted by the other workers because he is black. All the other men do not include Crooks in any social activities, such