Loneliness is an important theme in ‘Of Mice and Men’ Essay

In Of Mice and Men, there are three lonely characters. candy, Crooks and Curleys wife. The novel is set in the 1930s, and shows you what living conditions certain people were under.Candy is an old man, who has been working on the ranch, for years. Hes got his overhaul cut, by accident, and since then, he has always been at put on the line of getting fired. Hes a very lonely character, because of his age, and because he doesnt spend time with the other workers, due to his accident. He has had a dog, since it was a puppy. And it seems that his dog, is the only loyal friend he has got. But since Carlson, has putz his dog, he has been feeling lonelier than ever. There is a lot of age discrimination. And everyone sees him as an old man, waiting to die. Theres a big comparison between Candy and his dog. His dog is also old and lonely, and Carlson wanting to shoot it, is like saying that Candys time is over as well.Also Candy feels guilty not shooting his dog himself, instead of a stran ger (Carlson). I ought to of shot that dog myself, George. I shouldnt ought to of let no stranger shooting my dog. Candys dog was more than well(p) a dog to him, it was his companion.Crooks is some other lonely character in the novel. He has been working on the ranch, for a long time, and he also is injured. A horse kicked him on the back, and now he cant stand up right. He lives in the stable buck, and keeps himself occupied with books. One of the books he has got is a copy of the California Civil mark for 1905. I think he had this book to remind himself, that he has rights, even though he is black. Nobody will overstep him these rights though.I think he is the loneliest character in the novel. This is because his only communication is with the knob, and his son Curley. As their conversations, are only about work, they dont have a association with for each one other. But he still keeps his pride, for example, when Lennie comes to his room he says, You got no right to come in my room. This heres my room. Nobody got each right in here but me. He says that, even though he really wants to talk to somebody. But he assumes, that Lennie has the same attitude, as other white people. Thats why he says he doesnt want him in his room. But as he finds out, that Lennies mind is like a kids, so he doesnt share the same opinions about black people as whites, he doesnt mind him in his room.Crooks starts telling/asking Lennie what he would do if George didnt come back, that indicates, that he is explaining how it is for him, how he hasnt got anyone to confront. Then Lennie and Candy start telling Crooks about their dream. Then Crooks says, If youguys would want a hand to work for nothing just his keep, why Id come an lend a hand. I aint so crippled I cant work like a son-of-a-bitch if I want to.Curleys wife is the only female in the novel. Her status as the Bosss sons wife doesnt make any difference on the ranch. As other male workers wont unite with her, as they wi ll get in trouble, with Curley, who is her jealous husband.She married Curley, not because she loves him, but because of his status, wealth and because she wanted to get off from home. She doesnt have any friends, so therefore, to have conversations with the male workers she has to flirt her way. She is very beautiful, and the workers find her very attracting. But because they dont want to get into trouble, they try to stay away from her, by for example saying Maybe you better go along your own house now. We dont want no trouble. She knows that they all warmness her in some way, e.g. Funny thing, if I catch any one man, and hes alone, I get along fine with him. But just let two of the guys get together an you wont talk. Jus nothing but mad.Because of the time and place (1930s, Soledad), Curleys wife, as a woman, dont have as many rights as men, and living on a ranch with male workers, doesnt make it any easier. In the novel, Steinbeck, has written Curleyss wifes character, so we w ouldnt have any sympathy for her. This might suggest that, he wants, to show/tell us, that men didnt give any sympathy to women either.Lennie likes Curleys wife a lot, because of her looks. So Curleys wife takes advantage of that, by trying to build up a friendship with him. Also to show him, that what the other male workers are saying isnt true. That she can be sensitive, and that she isnt trying to cause trouble to anyone. For example when she lets Lennie play her hair, Course I brush it a lot. That makes it fine. Here feel right here. She also tells Lennie about her dream, her dream to become an actress. She confines in him, because she thinks that hes the only one who wants to listen to her. Hes a listener.