Social Outcasts In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

In John Steinbeck’s novel Of Mice and Men, a group of people share a place of work. Because this novel is set in the Great Depression, work is where men like George and Lennie take refuge; it’s not quite a home, but it’s where their lives circulate around. These men share their temporary home with others who are seeking to same dream as they are. However, as is the case in all groups of people, there are bound to be social outcasts. Every human is different, but the more dramatic differences can tear someone apart from the rest of a society. These quirks are often something that the person cannot control. Most times, people who have been excluded from a group are not solely ignored because of something that they choose for themselves, but rather their nature. Lennie cannot help his childlike tendencies, like

Although others recognize this, it is still an aggravating tendency. George knows Lennie better than anyone, yet still he proves to be easily frustrated by Lennie’s behavior. The first instance of annoyance we see from George, after Lennie seemingly aggravates him by asking for ketchup, George expresses his frustration about the situation Lennie put them in when they were living in Weed. “Jus’ wanted to feel that girl’s dress- jus’ wanted to pet it like it was a mouse- well, how the hell did she know you jus’ wanted to feel her dress? She jerks back and you hold on like it was a mouse. She yells and we got to hide in an irrigation ditch all day with guys lookin’ for us, and we got to sneak out in the dark and get outta the county. All the time somethin’ like that- all the time!” Lennie’s childish actions contribute to his exclusion and put any acquaintances or companions he may