Loneliness In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

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In society, a difference exists between being alone and being lonely. Being alone can be viewed as a necessity for some people, when they need to take a step back from reality. However, loneliness can be dangerous because it can lead to negative thoughts and actions. For example, people who endure loneliness may feel unwanted and could be driven to go through with dangerous actions. This argument about the toxic nature of loneliness presents itself in Of Mice and Men. In Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck illustrates the dangers of loneliness through the thoughts and actions of Curley’s Wife, Crooks, and George. Steinbeck emphasizes the dangerous effects of loneliness through the negative reputation of Curley’s Wife. When Lennie talks to Curley’s Wife in the barn, Steinbeck writes, “‘George says I ain’t to have nothing to do with you - talk to you or nothing’” (Steinbeck 82). During this scene, Lennie reveals that the members of the ranch view Curley’s Wife as dangerous, simply because she appears as flirtatious toward them. However, they may not fully understand her motives for acting this way. Earlier, she reveals her unhappiness in her marriage to Curley because she does not get to talk to anyone else, and when she does, it comes across as morally wrong. Her loneliness causes her to immediately …show more content…

I never knew till long later why he didn’t like that’” (Steinbeck 67). In this conversation with Lennie, Crooks reveals that he has been lonely most of his life, from when he lived in California as a kid to living alone in the stable room now. He understands that his race factors in to this discrimination, as it has been throughout his life. As a result, he cannot bring himself to trust most people out of fear of even more discrimination, causing him to isolate himself from

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