Isolation In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

During the 1930s, the United States need to cope with the longest-lasting economic downturn called the Great Depression. The Americans faced many serious economic issues: harsh poverty, long-term unemployment, and failed businesses. In the ‘dust bowls’ of the southwest, people also suffered from droughts and failed crops. At that time, more people became selfish, egocentric, and lonely. In Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck wrote the story based on this true situation. Through the characters of Crooks, Curley’s wife, George, and Lennie, John Steinbeck shows readers that during difficult times, everyone ends up isolated. In the story, Crooks experiences isolation through racism of the people in the ranch.
Everyone in the ranch called him “nigger” and treat him as if he is disgusting. Crooks has no rights to stay or play with other white men. He tells Lennie,”Cause I’m black. They play cards in there, but I can’t play because I’m black. They say I stink.” (100). Since he is treated badly, Crooks prefers

At the beginning of the story, it seems that George and Lennie have overcome isolation, but actually they have not. The first time George and Lennie meet Slim, Slim says,”I hardly never seen two guys ever travel together”(65). This suggested that George and Lennie’s relationship seems to be surprising during that time. However, after the death of Curley’s wife, it is clearly shown that George will be isolated in the future. As he says,”I’ll work my month an’ I’ll take my fifty bucks an’ I’ll stay all night in some lousy cat house” (131). At the end of the story, George kills Lennie because of Lennie’s intellectual disability. In the 1930s, there is no support for people who are not intelligent like Lennie. As a result, George becomes isolated. He has no friend or even family left in his life. Despite their good relationship at the beginning of the story, George and Lennie are