The Effects Of Loneliness In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

Steinbeck shows the effects of isolation through different characters' interactions with Crooks. One thing we see in the book is that some people bring loneliness on themselves. The author tells us, "He kept his distance and demanded that other people keep theirs" (Steinbeck, 67.) This passage suggests that Crooks wanted other people on the ranch to stay away from him. Another concept we learn is that loneliness causes sickness in some people. Crooks remarks to Lennie, "I tell ya a guy gets too lonely an' he gets sick" (Steinbeck, 73.) This example shows that Crooks is under the illusion that loneliness had made him either physically or mentally debilitated. The last piece of information we learn from Crooks is that there is no replacement for people. Crooks says to Lennie, "Books

Steinbeck shows that women as well as men long for people to talk to. Curly's wife says to Crooks, "Think I don't like to talk to somebody ever' once in a while" (Steinbeck, 77.) This passage suggests that Curly's wife has no one to talk to and she was starting to get angry about it. Another insight into loneliness that Steinbeck gives us is showing us that people need other people. Curly's wife declares, "I never get to talk to nobody. I get awful lonely" (Steinbeck, 86.) This excerpt portrays to us the fact that Curly's wife is very lonely and, again she doesn’t get to talk to anyone. The last thing we learn from Curly's wife is that sometimes loneliness is forced on people. She says, "You can talk to people, but I can't talk to nobody but Curley. Else he gets mad" (Steinbeck, 87.) This quote suggests that Curly tried to make it so his wife couldn't talk to anyone; he did this because he thought of her as property. Throughout this publication, Steinbeck shows us through interactions with Curly's wife, how loneliness effected people and especially women in this time