Kaitlyn Paul Mrs.Schaffer English 11-5 05/02/24 Loneliness will follow In the novel “of mice and men” John Steinbeck masterfully portrays loneliness through several of his many characters. He emphasizes the isolation and desperation that is persuasive in the society of that time. Focusing on three of his troubled characters are George, Crooks, and Curley Wife. Despite being surrounded by others, George feels profoundly isolated, due to the burdens that have been placed on him such as caring for Lennie and his many troubles, and the lack of companionship he seems to often struggle with. In the book George confides in Lennie about his feelings saying, “Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They have no family. …show more content…
Through George, Steinbeck illustrates the vivid emotional tolls of responsibility, and the absence of meaningful connections. Being the only black man on the ranch, Crooks must feel sorely out of place, and becomes further distanced and lonesome when he has to stay by himself in separate quarters away from the bunks of the others. He faces great discrimination and is physically segregated from the others. Crooks reveals his loneliness when he invites Lennie in and talks with him, telling him, “A guy needs somebody–to be near him.”(Steinbeck 72) Steinbeck uses the character of crooks to highlight the racial prejudice and slander and its effects on an individual's isolation. Lastly, even though she is married, Curley's wife is amongst the loneliest of characters. From her isolation in the house, to her desperate attempts for attention, whether it be talking to the men, or getting all done up to grab their attention, her desperate pleas for attention are often disregarded as being an unfaithful wife. She admits to Lennie, “I never get to talk to