Loneliness In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

Alex Fletcher
March 4, 2016
Mr. Miller
Period 2
Of Mice and Men Essay In Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck, George and Lennie try to hold onto their friendship when they go to a ranch that does not have usual relationships. They encounter characters like Candy, Crooks, Curley, and Curley’s wife. In chapter four, Crooks, Lennie, Candy, and Curley’s wife all gather in Crooks’s room because of their lonely states and proceed to treat one another and refer one to another negatively instead of becoming companions to feel better about their own insecurities. In chapter four, we see Crooks, Lennie, Candy, and Curley’s wife all gather in Crooks’s room because of their overwhelming feelings of loneliness. The first one to gather

Crooks is one of the loneliest because he is never really allowed to interact with anyone except for a work related reason. Crooks “ain’t wanted in the bunkhouse” (68) where even the other lonely characters on the ranch are allowed to go to relax and talk with one another. For this reason, Crooks stays in his room much of the time with only his books to keep him company. The next character to appear in Crooks’s room is Lennie. Lennie scrambles for an excuse to be there and tells Crooks he just came to look “at my puppy. And I seen your light” (68). When Lennie sees Crooks’s light he makes the connection that there is likely a person, maybe a friend, accompanied with that light so he enters Crooks’s room in the hopes of conversing with the light’s owner. Next, Candy enters searching for Lennie so he can further discuss “them rabbits” (74). After the loss of his dog, Candy experiences feelings of loneliness previously unknown to him because of the strong relationship he held with his dog. Now Candy seeks out new

Crooks behaves with caution but acts friendly. When the characters first enter he tries to make it seem like he does not want them there. But after a few minutes he warms up and “his tone was a little more friendly” (69) towards Lennie. Once Candy character enters, “it was difficult for Crooks to conceal his pleasure with anger” (75). Crooks is putting up a front to be a tough independent guy when all he really wants is a little company. Crooks treats Curley’s wife tentatively, like a sensitive bomb, by trying to act respectfully when she first walks in. But eventually he explodes on her, “I had enough!” (80). Crooks is excited that people have come to visit him but his mood shifts after his feelings get hurt. Lennie behaves with fascination towards each character in Crooks’s room. Lennie is like an intent listener while Crooks speaks. Lennie keeps “smiling” (69) at Crooks which enables Crooks to keep talking and not kick Lennie out. Lennie treats Candy the same way. Lennie keeps enabling Candy by continuously asking Candy to tell about “the rabbits” (75). Lennie treats Candy as if he were George, by making Candy tell the story of his dream. Lennie treats Curley’s wife with interest. Lennie s always looking at her “fascinated” (77), and with “his mouth half open” (78). Lennie is intrigued by Curley’s wife and behaves