Of mice and men loneliness Essay

Of Mice and Men
Loneliness



When it comes to emotional welfare, the one and only thing that is really needed are friends. Without friends people suffer with loneliness. Loneliness leads to depression and low self esteem. In the book ‘Of Mice and Men’, Curley’s Wife, Candy and Crooks all have to endure different types of loneliness.

‘A guy goes nuts if he ain’t got nobody. Don’t make no difference who the guy is, long’s he’s with you. I tell ya, a get gets too lonely an he gets sick.’ – Crooks p.72

We know that Crooks feels lonely because he confesses to Lennie how hard it is living on the ranch and what it does to him. ‘If I say something, why it’s just a nigger sayin’ it’ p.70 Crooks is talented at pitching horse shoes, but then the game is over he is reduced to staying in his bunk reading books. Crooks is amazed by George and Lennie's friendship. ‘Well, s’pose, jus’ s’pose he don’t come back. What’ll you do then?’ p.71 He asked Lennie this because he was curious about Lennie and Georges relationship and he wants Lennie to feel how he feels, - isolated, rejected and lonely. Crooks would work for Lennie and George for nothing if it meant being able to communicate with others. ‘…if you…guys would want a hand to work for nothing – just his keep, why I’d come an’ lend a hand. I ain’t so crippled I can’t work like a son-of-a bitch if I want to’

Candy is a pathetic character, he is discriminated against because he has the lowest job on the ranch as a swamper. This is due to a farm accident where he lost right hand whilst using farm machinery. Candy feels lonely due to his old and disability. ‘Maybe if I give you guys my money, you’ll let me how in the garden even after I ain’t no good at it.’ p.60 Candy offers his money in an attempt to overcome his loneliness so that he can live with George and Lennie and be apart of their dream. After Candy’s dog got put down he felt even more lonely. He thinks that he may go the same way as his dog. ‘They’ll can me...