Isolation In Of Mice And Men

Isolation is a central theme in John Steinbeck’s novella ‘Of Mice and Men. The book focuses on the members of the ranch during the Great Depression, and how loneliness affected them. The characters of Curley’s wife and Candy are predominantly living in isolation due to the societal views and ideas of them, and John Steinbeck represents theses through a variety of techniques and quotes such as anthropomorphism and symbolism.

Throughout ‘Of Mice and Men’, John Steinbeck represents the themes of isolation and loneliness in Curley’s wife, and the experiences she endures due to the societal treatment of women in 1937. Women of the early 20th century were treated as possessions, and items that made the men look superior. This is highlighted in the

Throughout the book, Crooks is constantly isolated from the other members of the ranch. He is not allowed in the bunkhouse, therefore missing out on the community that grows there. John Steinbeck uses the separate living areas of Crooks to visually symbolise the isolation that Crooks undergoes. Crooks is not only physically isolated but also socially. He isolates himself, constantly pushing everyone away and keeping his guard up, which is seen when he tells Lennie “You go on get outta my room. I ain't wanted in the bunk house, and you ain't wanted in my room." Racial discrimination of 1930’s America was prominent, and unfair situations based on race are often mentioned in the book. Crooks is constantly the target of displaced aggression from the boss of the ranch, and as a result isolates himself due to the continual mistreatment he has come to expect from society itself. Crooks constantly does this throughout the book, the most prominent example being when he calls after Candy to tell him “I didn’ mean it. Jus’ foolin’. I wouldn’ want to go no place like that.” For a moment he allows himself to join them in their dream but detaches himself before he can become too optimistic. However, this behaviour is self-destructive, even Crooks himself admitting “A guy goes nuts if he ain't got nobody.”. Ethnic separation has a serious impact on both the mental and physical isolation of Crooks, in turn having detrimental effects on his