How Does Steinbeck Present The Need For Companionship In Of Mice And Men

650 Words3 Pages

John Steinbeck depicts isolation very well in his book “Of Mice and Men”. He portrays the need for companionship as well. John Steinbeck shows isolation and the need for companionship through setting, relationships, and characterization in his book, “Of Mice and Men”.
Isolation and the need for companionship are some of the major themes Steinbeck portrays through the setting in his classic novella, "Of Mice and Men". Fittingly, he uses the decade of the great depression as the backdrop for his story. During this era, society’s views isolated certain groups of people. Accordingly, Steinbeck demonstrates several examples of isolation. The first comes from a stable hand named Crooks when he says, "Cause I'm black. They play cards in there, but I can't play because I'm black." (Steinbeck 68). Interestingly, Crooks faced two forms of isolation, from being a migrant worker, and from being black. Even worse, he was the only black ranch hand. Isolation was a common way of life for workers in the time period of the great depression.elaborated George , “Guys like us, that …show more content…

He shows the need for companionship through the characterization of Candy. Candy explained, “ ‘cause I ain’t got no relatives nor nothing.” (Steinbeck 59-60). This quote tells us that Candy is alone and wants friends. He demonstrates the need for companionship through the characterization of Crooks. “A guy goes nuts if he ain’t got nobody. I tell you a guy gets too lonely an’ he gets sick”. said Crooks (Steinbeck 72-73). One thing this quote shows us is that Crooks feel as if he is going mad because of his loneliness. He shows the need for companionship through the characterization of Lennie “If you don’ want me, I can go off in the hills an’ find a cave.” (Steinbeck 12). This quote explains that Lennie does not feel loved. To recap Steinbeck shows, through the characterization of Candy, Crooks, and Lennie, the need for