First published in 1937, Of Mice and Men is a classic American novel by John Steinbeck. The novel follows the lives of George and Lennie, two ranch hands who travel together. George is responsible for looking after Lennie, who is mentally impaired. As they start working at a new ranch, various characters are introduced, many of whom experience loneliness due to their lifestyles and the social standards of the time period. Through this novel, Steinbeck emphasizes the theme that loneliness is detrimental to a person’s well-being, highlighting its unhealthy and dangerous nature.
This underlying theme is first introduced in the novel when George talks to Lennie about the advantage they have over other itinerant workers of the time. George described how other ranch hands like themselves who traveled alone had nothing to look forward to, and no one to look after them. He told Lennie how other workers would just work up a stake and blow it at a bar because they had no where else to go, no one else to look after them. George explained how Lennie and himself were different from those lonely workers when he said, “With us it aint like that, We got a future. We got somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us” (Steinbeck 15). Because of Lennie and George’s relationship, they are able to focus on their dream of having their own farm someday, instead of falling into a routine of moving from ranch to ranch and wastefully spending their pay at the end of the month.
Furthermore, while acknowledging that Lennie is a burden, George accepts their relationship as a means to combat his own feelings of isolation. In a conversation with Slim, George explains his perspective on loneliness, stating, “I’ve seen the guys that go around on the ranches alone. That ain’t no good. They don’t have no fun. After a long time they get mean. They get wantin’ to fight all the time” (45). George values Lennie’s companionship because he understands that being alone can lead to a more negative outlook on life. Similarly, Candy experiences loneliness as well. Being the oldest man on the ranch and physically disabled, Candy is limited to menial tasks such as cleaning the bunkhouse. His only companion is his aging dog, who stays faithfully by his side. However, one night, another ranch hand named Carlson persuades Candy to have his dog put down to end its suffering. Carlson states, “If you want me to, I’ll put the old devil out of his misery right now and get it over with” (52). Agreed upon by Candy, his loyal companion is shot, leaving him feeling desolate and alone. However, shortly after this incident, Candy overhears Lennie and George discussing their aspirations of owning land. Overwhelmed with loneliness and devoid of hope for the future, Candy attempts to buy himself companionship by offering George money to contribute towards purchasing the land. He states, “S’pose I went in with you guys…that’s three hundred an’ fifty bucks I’d put in” (65). Steinbeck implies that Candy seeks to avoid his inevitable loneliness through acquiring a place in their newfound friendship by investing in the shared dream of owning a farm.
Crooks, an African American stable buck, was subjected to loneliness due to racial segregation. He was not allowed to stay with the other men in the bunk house and instead had to reside in the barn, accompanied only by books. When Lennie entered his room, Crooks confided in him about his feelings of loneliness. He expressed the distress of being unable to share thoughts with another person. Crooks explained how someone would spend their nights alone, reading books or contemplating various matters. He emphasized the frustration of not having someone to confirm or refute what they see or think. Unable to turn to anyone for validation, Crooks lamented his isolation. Additionally, Crooks attempted to evoke sympathy from Lennie by imagining a scenario where he also experienced exclusion and loneliness due to his race. He questioned how Lennie would feel if he couldn’t participate in activities like playing cards with others in the bunk house because of his skin color. Crooks contended that a person needs someone to be close to, emphasizing the detrimental impact of prolonged isolation. This point was exemplified in the conversation between Crooks and Lennie, as Lennie paid little attention but Crooks still felt compelled to share due to his profound sense of loneliness. Ultimately, Crooks’ experience of enduring solitude had a profound effect on him, resulting in deep sadness.Engaging in conversation with another person briefly provided him solace amidst his solitude.
Steinbeck intentionally depicted Curley’s wife as an isolated and lonely character, hence the absence of a name. Her marriage to Curley lacked happiness and quality time together. Consequently, she would aimlessly wander around the ranch, seeking solace in conversations with the workers to alleviate her loneliness. She specifically approached Crooks, Lennie, and Candy, questioning if they believed she found any enjoyment in constant solitude (80). Tragically, her longing for companionship from the ranch hands ultimately led to her premature demise. While attempting to converse with Lennie, his state of panic caused him to unintentionally kill her. If she hadn’t experienced such profound loneliness, there would have been no reason for her to seek out Lennie at all.
The novel Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck depicts the pervasiveness of loneliness and its impact on individuals’ desperate efforts to avoid it. The contrasting relationship between George and Lennie stands out amidst the solitary existence endured by other characters in the story. Steinbeck also exposes the tragic consequences of excluding individuals like Crooks and Candy based on factors such as race and age, which consign them to a life filled with anguish and isolation. Additionally, through Curley’s wife, Steinbeck emphasizes the profound suffering caused by loneliness, ultimately leading to her premature death. This exploration of how loneliness affects people leaves readers contemplating whether death might have been preferable for Curley’s wife.
Bibliography: Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
