Tanay Shenoy Mrs. Kigar Honors English 10 27 February 2023 The Role of Isolation “I got you to look after me and you got me to look after you, and that’s why” (Steinback 14). In John Steinback's novel, Of Mice and Men, the theme of isolation is a strong and pervasive one, with many characters struggling against loneliness time and time again. The characters in this novel are isolated in many different ways with significant impacts on actions and attitudes, but one character, in particular, exemplifies isolation in a much deeper way. Lennie exemplifies the effects of isolation as his childlike mind and needs for companionship both contribute to his downfall. Throughout the novel, Lennie is isolated in different ways. The most notable factor that affects him is his cognitive disability, as his mind operates on a much more basic level than his peers. This causes him to be misunderstood, ridiculed and patronized which furthers his sense of isolation. Additionally, he is isolated due to his lack of companionship, as he is not able to make and maintain relationships with other people. Even his relationship with George, while strong, is ultimately one-sided. Lennie's need for companionship is evident throughout the novel, and his fear of being alone is what ultimately leads to his death. …show more content…
Without George, Lennie is incapable of making decisions for himself and struggles to understand the world around him. This can be observed in the scene where Lennie accidentally kills Curley's wife, as he does not understand the consequences of his actions due to his lack of understanding of the world around him. Additionally, his reliance on George for guidance and protection leads him to make poor decisions, such as when he tries to pet the puppy despite George's warnings. This leads to further trouble, which ultimately leads to his