Of Mice And Men Outcasts Essay

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“The most terrible poverty is loneliness and the feeling of being unloved” was once declared by the well-known saint Mother Thresea. The feeling of being lonely is a universal experience that everyone at one point in time has encountered. This can also be shown in the novel Of Mice and Men, where John Steinbeck uses the characters to express that outcasts are often forced into isolation because of society's unfair standards. Utilizing the fictional element of characterization, Steinbeck conveys how several of the characters are forced to isolate themselves because of their identities. For instance, Candy is old and disabled, which keeps him from being able to work as a farmhand; Crooks is the only black worker in a community that favors the …show more content…

As an old and sick dog, Carlson pushes Candy to let the dog go, but in an angered response, he declares, “Well—hell! I had him for so long. Had him since he was a pup. I herded sheep with him.You wouldn’t think to look at him now, but he was the best damn sheep dog I ever seen” (Steinbeck 23). Candy’s relationship with his dog reveals a moving example of the loneliness and isolation experienced by individuals considered outcasts in society. Despite his companionship with his dog, Candy still feels the weight of isolation, as evidenced by his emotional reaction to his dog's killing. Having his dog as a pup and working alongside him as a sheepdog emphasizes their strong relationship and the loss Candy feels as his companion grows old. Furthermore, Candy's relationship with his dog connects to his sense of being out of place within the farm community. As an older disabled worker, Candy is excluded and overlooked by others, further contributing to his sense of isolation. He realizes that the farm won’t need him for much longer, and with this, he hears George and Lennie talking about their dream and comments, “I’d make a will an’ leave my share to you guys in case I kick off, ‘cause I ain’t got no relatives nor

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