Loneliness In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

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“Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don't belong no place” (Steinbeck 7). The author tries to convey his idea that with a pal to lean on, you can share your burdens. However, for some folk who do not have the fortune, the worst possible condition is solitude. Therefore displaying, loneliness leads to feelings of alienation advertised by John Steinbeck’s heartbreaking novel, Of Mice in Men shown by the desperation of Curley’s wife, the prejudiced behavior toward Crooks, and the author’s potent use of tone. Arguably, the loneliest woman in Soledad, California, Curley’s wife was desperate to be noticed. Upon arriving at the ranch George warns Lennie about her, “I seen 'em poison …show more content…

Curley’s wife makes it very clear that she is better than Crooks by saying, “‘Well, you keep your place then, Nigger. I could get you strung up on a tree so easy it ain't even funny.’ Crooks had reduced himself to nothing. There was no personality, no ego—nothing to arouse either like or dislike. He said, ‘Yes, ma'am,’ and his voice was toneless” (Steinbeck 39). Curley’s wife despite being the only woman at the ranch is still valued more than an African American man. Although being a man, he accepts that this is his life, full of discrimination. Crooks had made himself as small as a penny to alienate himself and not get into trouble. Lennie walked into the barn, however, was not greeted kindly by Crooks, “Lennie smiled helplessly in an attempt to make friends. Crooks said sharply, ‘You got no right to come in my room. This here’s my room. Nobody got any right in here but me”’ (Steinbeck 33). Crooks is so isolated because of the color of his skin that he alienates himself on purpose. He is so suspicious of any type of kindness that he negates all possibilities of making friends. Crooks is so alone and has faced so much prejudice that he distances himself from

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