How Does Steinbeck Use Isolation In Of Mice And Men

The book of Mice and Men written by John Steinbeck tells the story of an unusual couple travelling together as laborers working hand to mouth. Lennie being the “child” of the two, relies on George through the whole journey. They defy the odds of workers being in isolation. George and Lennie must work through obstacles of friendship, obligation and isolation in their journey to obtain their dream plan of owning their own land. Steinbeck suggests that though many workers believe relationships to be unnatural, the workers in fact have a desire to have a companion.
Steinbeck suggests that isolation unfamiliar to migrant workers by choosing to make relationships more unnatural and prominent. By doing so, Steinbeck is able to show that workers

The same reaction to George and Lennie’s relationship when travelling in shown multiple times through workers who meet them. The Boss is in disbelief when George says that Lennie and him travel together. “I said what stake you got in this guy? You takin’ his pay away from him?” (Page 22) It does not occur once to the boss that George and Lennie are together just because they want to be showing that the boss has lived in isolation long enough to not believe in relationships. Another example of a relationship being ridiculed for being different is Candy and his dog. “If you want me to, I’ll put the old devil out of his misery right now and get it over with.” (Page 48) Carlson volunteers to kill Candy’s dog as if he is doing Candy a favor by putting his dog “out of misery.” Given that Carlson and no one in the bunkers had any sympathy

The workers on the ranch mask their eagerness with judgmental instincts on relationships such as Lennie and George’s. For example in the beginning of the book George and Lennie get into a fight and right as Lennie threatens to leave George, George responds with, “No- Look! Was jus’ foolin’, Lennie, ‘Cause I want you to stay with me.” (Page 13) George is quick to change his tone in this section from putting all the blame on Lennie to pleading for Lennie to stay with him. In the dialogue, George also stutters and rambles which is common sign of anxiety and fear. Including the tone of panic in George’s voice depicts that George is afraid of Lennie leaving causing him to be alone much like many of the workers on the ranch. Furthermore, in the middle of the book the character Candy is introduced to George and Lennie’s dream plan that emcompasses the theory of being together. Candy clearly wants to be included into the plan, “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 nothing.” (Page 59) If Candy is willing to offer his life savings so that he might have a chance at living the dream with George and Lennie, it represents Candy’s necessity of leaving the isolation for a close knit relationship. Moreover, Curley’s wife repetitively attempts to talk to the men on the farm. She comes off as a flirtatious women when in reality she just wants someone to talk to