In Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, there are several important themes explored through the characters. One of the most poignant motifs, evident throughout the novel, is loneliness. The novel is set in 1930 during the great depression. Men became migrant workers, moving from place to place in search of temporary work. This lifestyle meant that they could not form meaningful relationships. The two main characters, George and Lennie, ward off loneliness for most of the book by staying together. George says that "ranch workers are the loneliest people in the world and don't belong nowhere"(steinbeck ). The importance of companionship is emphasized all through the novel. Many other characters in the book, such as Candy, Crooks, and Curley’s wife, display signs of loneliness. Candy, an aging ranch worker, is missing his hand from an accident and is concerned about his future on the ranch. “ “ (steinbeck )Candy’s disability isolates him because he is unable to work alongside the other men. Furthermore, when Candy’s beloved dog is euthanized by another ranch hand, he feels he doesn’t have much to live for and is desperately lonely. Fearing he will become obsolete on the ranch, Candy eagerly offers to help George and Lennie …show more content…
Physically, Crooks is separate from the other ranch hands and has his own room in the barn. He has a crooked back, and like Candy he has virtually no social or work contacts with the other men. He succumbs to his loneliness, and he accepts Lenny’s attempt at conversation. Later, Crooks decides to join George and Lennie's plan, but is later put in his place by Curley’s wife and withdraws his proposal. “ “ (steinbeck )Curley’s wife reminds him of how people treat him and he can’t see beyond the prejudice he has experienced in his life. He is intimidated by her and is once again alone, separated from society by his own