Loneliness affects many of the characters, Steinbeck seems to show that it is natural and inevitable result of the kind of life they are forced to lead. John Steinbeck's novel, “Of Mice and Men”, is a story in which a dominating idea of inescapable loneliness prevails. "A guy needs somebody to be near him. 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.
All humans desire to love and to be loved. If we do not achieve this we often experience solitude and loneliness. In the novel Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, loneliness is illustrated through the lives of characters living on a ranch during the great depression. Characters such as Crooks, Curley’s wife and Candy all experience loneliness throughout the novel due to being discriminated against, insecurity and because of lack of companionship. Right from the beginning, an atmosphere of solitude within characters is portrayed which helps readers learn the impact loneliness has on individuals.
English Essay - Of Mice and Men In this essay i will write about how Steinbeck uses the recurring theme of loneliness throughout the novel 'Of Mice and Men ' . I shall write about the different characters in the novel and how they have this one trait in common , Candy , Crooks ,Curley's wife and George are all effected by loneliness and is shown as a destructive force . I will also write about how the setting represents loneliness by the language that Steinbeck uses to create effect . In the novel we find out that Crooks is very lonely and isolated because he is different than other people. He is ignored by everyone on the ranch because he is black , this makes his character bitter and mean"Books ain't no good .
Being a nigger, Crooks is looked down upon by the whites at the ranch and he resents this. As he says (p. 74) "If I say something, why it's just a nigger sayin' it" and this shows his anger at being pushed to the side. Being oppressed has made him seem cruel and gruff, but also has turned him to self-pity and the feeling that he is a lesser human however "I didn't mean to scare you" gives us the impression that Crooks has a kind heart under his blunt exterior. Crooks brings into perspective the loneliness experienced by all the characters in "Of Mice and Men" by saying (p. 77) "Sure, you could play horseshoes till it got dark . A guy needs someone - to be near him.
“If you meet a loner, no matter what they tell you, it’s not because they enjoy solitude. It’s because they have tried to blend into the world before, and people continue to disappoint them…” is relatable to a theme regarding loneliness in the novel Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. The quote which was quoted by Jodie Picoult outlines a colored character named Crooks from Of Mice and Men whose loneliness has led him into a bitter but sharp personality. Crooks’ reaction to a visit from an innocent while man to his behavior ranging from effects of loneliness after a misunderstanding, shows how isolated Crooks felt and how much it had invaded his character. First of all, Crooks was a colored stable buck with a crooked spine that lived in a
Crooks also has a fake hope that he is protected by his “wrights” but toughs are dashed by his argument with Curlys wife. "S'pose you couldn't go into the bunkhouse and play rummy 'cause you was black...Sure, you could play horseshoes 'til dark, but then you have to read books." This shows that Crooks pities his own circumstances and vulnerability. However on pg73 "his tone was a little more friendly" and pg77 "I didn't mean to scare you" gives us the impression that Crooks has a kind heart under his mean exterior. Crooks brings into perspective the lonely experienced of all the characters in "Of Mice and Men" by saying on pg77 "Books ain't no good.
Don’t make no difference who the guy is, long’s he’s with you. I tell ya,’ he cried, ‘I tell ya a guy get’s too lonely an’ he gets sick” (69). Crooks’ illustrates that his lack of companionship manifests itself physically and emotionally. The only alleviation of these symptoms for Crooks occurs when he offers to work on Candy, George, and Lennie’s farm (Steinbeck 76). Similarly, Curley’s wife seeks out other people as a way to cope with her loneliness.
a) Within the extract, the theme of loneliness is presented through the characters’ dialogue and actions. Every ranch worker’s circumstance is lonely –to some extent- although Crooks case is far worse, due to his segregation on the farm. Crooks is aware of the racism directed towards him, as he states “Why it’s just a nigger saying it.” To others Crooks’ opinions may seem insignificant and worthless. He understands that his thoughts may not be heard, as racism at this time was at its peak. The fact that Crooks himself is aware of how others may perceive him, highlights the theme of loneliness, as we realise that that he is discriminated against.
In the novella, Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck demonstrates the negative impact of loneliness through Crooks, Curley’s Wife, and George and Lennie. Steinbeck demonstrates the negative impact of loneliness through a character called ‘Crooks’. “S’pose you didn’t have nobody. S’pose you couldn’t enter the bunk house cause you was black…S’pose you had to sit out and read books…a guy needs somebody to be near him…a guy goes nuts if he has nobody…” (72). Crook’s cannot live on without being around somebody, he
Learn about George from Of Mice and Men, Lennie from Of Mice and Men, and other Of Mice and Men characters. • George is a small, quick-witted, migrant worker who travels with his friend Lennie. He speaks of how much better his life would be without Lennie, but only does so in anger. George represents the working man and his struggle to rise above his harsh circumstances. George needs to blame somebody for his mediocre life; the truth of his mediocrity, however, lies in his enjoyment of alcohol and prostitutes, vices that prevent him from ever raising enough money to finance his dream of owning his own farm.