Steinbeck uses life on a California ranch to state that mankind is essentially lonely and driven to find companionships.
Introduction:
John Steinbeck’s work, Of Mice and Men, is one of the great works of literature. It deals with issues that all people deal with, and examines how people try to connect with one another. In his novel, Steinbeck uses life on a California ranch to state that mankind is essentially lonely and driven to find companionships. He uses several characters to drive this point home. Lennie and George are migrant workers without homes, Candy is a physically handicapped senior who loses his dog, and Curley’s wife feels trapped on a farm with a husband that does not provide her companionship. Each of them responds to their circumstances in different ways, but all of them try to form new connections with people in order to try and deal with their isolation.
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"Loneliness in Of Mice And Men".
Lennie and George are homeless and seeking work in California. As migrant workers, they find it difficult to make friendships with other people, since they have no permanent connections. However, they find themselves making friends with one another as they try to find work, and share a dream of owning their own land.
Candy is a ranch hand who has worked on the farm for some time, but is very alone. He tells Lennie and George that he has not family and no kids, and even lost his loyal sheepdog. Candy is later given a dog from a litter that helps him replaced his lost dog.
Curley’s wife had dreams of being an actress. She feels trapped on the farm, and is isolated because Curley treats her abusively. She reacts to this by talking with the men working on the farm. She also attempts to flirt with a few in order to receive attention.
Conclusion:
All the people in Of Mice and Men feel distanced from others, but they react in different ways. While Lennie and George find friendship in each other, Curley’s wife seeks attention. They each react in the only way they know how, but all of them are seeking companionship in another person.
