Loneliness
Many of John Steinbeck's characters in Of Mice and Men are isloated from the majority, if not all, of the general population; this in turn, brings upon a since of loneliness. There are countless examples of thsi throughout the novel. One example of this is Crooks, the black stablebuck. He is almost completely isolated from everyone, even on the ranch. This is mainly because he is black and they still had very little rights when Steinback wrote this novel. A great example of this is when Crooks was talking to Lennie in the barn during chapter _: "...S'pose you didn't have nobody. S'pose you couldn't go into the bunkhouse and play rummy 'cause you was black. How'd you like that? S'pose you had to sit out here an' read books. Sure you could go play horseshoes till it got dark, but then you got to read books. Books ain't no good. A guy needs somebody- to be near him" (Steinbeck 72). This quote shows that Crooks is extremely lonley and wants a companion to talk to. It also shows what being isolated from others for the majoriy of the time has done to Crooks pyschcologically.
When discussing Of Mice and Men, Winifred L. Dusenbury reflected on another example of loneliness when he stated, "Thus, it is with Ibsen-like precision that Steinbeck lays the stage, but also with Ibsen-like purpose he portrays the tragic lineliness of life on a Western ranch. The isolation which George and Lennie feel pervades every other character. Candy, the old bunkhouse keeper, who has lost his right hand, clings to his blind, stinking dog, until with despairing resignation, he lets the men shoot the miserable animal because of his recognation that they do it with understanding pity for his grief and not with brutality. Curly's wife hangs around the bunkhouse relentlessly, although she is not encouraged by any of the men" (347). I do beleive Dusenbury is accurate when comparing Steinbeck's tactics to those of Henrik Ibsen, who is considered largely responsible for the modern realistic drama. This drama helps convey the sense of loneliness and isolation these characters are feeling.
When discussing Of Mice and Men, Winifred L. Dusenbury reflected on another example of loneliness when he stated, "Thus, it is with Ibsen-like precision that Steinbeck lays the stage, but also with Ibsen-like purpose he portrays the tragic lineliness of life on a Western ranch. The isolation which George and Lennie feel pervades every other character. Candy, the old bunkhouse keeper, who has lost his right hand, clings to his blind, stinking dog, until with despairing resignation, he lets the men shoot the miserable animal because of his recognation that they do it with understanding pity for his grief and not with brutality. Curly's wife hangs around the bunkhouse relentlessly, although she is not encouraged by any of the men" (347). I do beleive Dusenbury is accurate when comparing Steinbeck's tactics to those of Henrik Ibsen, who is considered largely responsible for the modern realistic drama. This drama helps convey the sense of loneliness and isolation these characters are feeling.