Effects Of Loneliness In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

Factors that can fuel loneliness are abundant: depression, trauma, social rejection, loss, low self-esteem, etc. The aspect of human connection and interaction is a psychological requirement for all people, even to those who push others away. These elements of isolation are presented through three methods in a 1938 novel of friendship. John Steinbeck uses indirect characterization, discrimination, and conflict to demonstrate the effects of loneliness and need for companionship in his novel Of Mice and Men.
As a method of contributing to the effects of loneliness, isolation and need for companionship, Steinbeck refers to indirect characterization between the characters in the novel. One way Steinbeck utilizes indirect characterization is via

George’s attitude towards Lennie, represented in the following claim. George consoled Lennie’s grief in a calm and friendlier tone, “You get another mouse that’s fresh and I’ll let you keep it a little while.” (Steinbeck 9). This example demonstrates companionship with George’s impatience and frustration with Lennie, yet he still cares for Lennie, contains his best interests in mind, and is willing to help Lennie in any way he can. In addition to the display of the effects of seclusion and need for companionship is with Lennie’s dependence on George. Lennie’s face contorted with concentration, “I…ain’t gonna say nothin’. Jus’ gonna stan’ there” (Steinbeck 6). This quote illustrates that while Lennie also cares for George, his necessity on George is fundamental as he relies on George for many things and would not know what to do with himself if he did not have George. Moreover, Crooks’ physical and mental solitude is another aspect of indirect characterization that reflects the effects of loneliness to look into. Crooks preserved distance from others and only commanded that people do the same (Steinbeck 67). This statement exhibits that Crooks preserves a mental and physical isolation from everyone else in order to feel he has a say over something in his life and lessen the pain of loneliness he already suffers while simultaneously desperate for human connection.
Discrimination during the time period of the novel contributes to the effects of loneliness and need for championship of a selection of characters.

This aspect is reflected by use of the time period’s race standards, as revealed in the following quote. Crooks whined in sorrow, “A guy goes nuts if he ain’t got nobody.” (Steinbeck 73). This quote suggests that Crooks’ exposure of discrimination has forced his isolation, preventing him from a healthy amount of human interaction and possibly driving mental illness. The indifference to women back then also donates to the effects of isolation and loneliness in the novel, as seen through Curley’s wife. Curley’s wife yells in exasperation, “Ain’t I got a right to talk to nobody?” (Steinbeck 87). This quote illustrates Curley’s wife’s frustration and anger of being shunned by the other people on the ranch, and the lack of her actual name, only being referred to as “Curley’s wife”, may also reveal her as being considered Curley’s property rather than spouse. In the novel, the characteristic of inevitability of age contributes to the effects of isolation and need for companionship. After Candy’s dog is shot, it’s revealed that Candy faces age discrimination. Candy comments in a monotone voice: “Jus’ as soon as I can’t swamp out no bunkhouses they’ll put me on the county,” (Steinbeck 60). This example shows that Candy is aware of how useless he is in the eyes of the other men on the ranch due to his age, and will face adversity of being

homeless once he will not be able to work and will be kicked out.
Implications of loneliness and need for companionship is displayed in differing ways by the internal/external conflicts between the characters.

Furthermore, provided to these effects is peer pressure towards characters. After failing to convince Carlson and Slim that his dog doesn’t have to be shot, Candy says in defeat, “Awright—take ‘im.” (Steinbeck 47). This quote shows Candy giving in to the peer pressure of Carlson and Slim pressing him to kill his dog despite his internal conflict of wanting to keep his only companion alive. Consequences of actions effect loneliness and isolation in the story, specifically through Lennie’s actions and his reactions to them. Lennie said miserably, “I tried, Aunt Clara, ma’am. I tried and tried.” This quote reveals Lennie, while physically isolated from the others, is painfully aware of his actions that resulted in trouble, such as causing the death of Curley’s wife, which George strictly told him to avoid, and Aunt Clara personifies his guilt and loneliness in the consequences. Insecurity and persona exhibit effects of loneliness and isolation. Curley stared coldly at Lennie and said menacingly, “Well, nex’ time you answer when you’re spoke to,” (Steinbeck 26). This quote suggests Curley adopts a macho and threatening persona to hide his insecurity of being a small man, isolating himself from that reality and his wife, who he apparently treats unfairly.
In the novel, Of Mice and Men, the effects of loneliness and need for companionship

are exposed by John Steinbeck through indirect characterization, discrimination, and conflict. Human connection is a psychological aspect fundamental for people in order to avoid loneliness and isolation. The sequence of events and actions previous and during a person’s life can determine their susceptibility to loneliness and isolation.