Curley's Wife Theme Of Loneliness

“In utter loneliness a writer tries to explain the inexplicable.” -John Steinbeck. Loneliness can be affected by many things and can affect many things. Curley’s wife is a character whose actions are debatably driven by the feeling of loneliness. Some think her actions are driven solely by her personality and moral values. Others see nothing wrong with her actions and excuse them by placing the origin of it on loneliness. These actions, no matter what the commencement, have a great impact on the people of the ranch. They affect relationships, sensibility, and moral character. In Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men the actions of Curley’s wife can be debated through what she does, her reasons of her actions, and the impact her actions have on

Whenever she can’t be found, questions arise about what she is up to. In events such as these Curley doesn’t even trust his own wife. ‘“Thinks Slim’s with his wife don’t he?”’ (54). Curley’s wife’s actions play a role in the reputation of the ranch hands and in the relationship with her husband. How can they be expected to live a long, happy life together if she is out playing around with other men? Can the ranch hands be expected to work efficiently if she is always acting suspicious around with them? Should her wrong actions be excused on account of loneliness? Curley’s wife’s behavior demands explanation and the source of which could be the emptiness she feels

Because Curley’s wife is so alone, she goes to find someone to talk to. While other men are out playing horseshoe, she finds Lennie in the barn by himself. She begins to talk to him because she doesn’t know what else to do with herself. She is not fully aware of Lennie’s mental illness, however; she knows he acts like a little child and she knows he has just killed a puppy. “You’re a kinda nice fella. Jus’ like a big baby” (90). indulges in conversation and pressures Lennie to talk to her, though Lennie is under strict orders from George not to come in contact with her. Lennie remembers George’s command and persistently tries to avoid speaking with her. “‘Well I ain’t supposed to talk to you or nothing. George’s scared I’ll get in trouble.’” (86,87). However, against Lennie’s requests Curley’s wife goes on to talk to him. Steinbeck notes, “She changed the subject” (87). Lennie cannot always keep up with what is going on so when she changes the subject, his mind goes to another matter and he forgets George’s words. Her vision is so clouded by the thought of not expressing herself that she was not aware of the arising action. Once she pries Lennie’s attention from not being allowed to talk to her she focuses on herself and tells Lennie stories that she has never told anyone else. She barely has come in contact with Lennie prior to the situation at hand and already