Isolation in “Of mice and men” “Of mice and men” is a classic novella set in the 1930's and written by John steinbeck. The novella is set in the United States during the Great Depression and the dust bowl, and introduces us to two characters who are friends as protagonists who dream of having a rook together and living independently. However, as the story unfolds, various circumstances complicate George and Lennie's ambitions and other issues are revealed. The novella shows us certain themes that can become controversial or "taboo", but it doesn’t do so in the form of an opinion, but tries to portray it and give us the perspective and context of the place, the time and the society at that time. I think the novella is interesting because it …show more content…
While we are introduced to the characters and we know their background, we can understand their attitudes and behaviors and understand a little of their past or present, and see how in the society in which they currently live they are being excluded, marginalized or discriminated against. The first example of this marginalization is Crooks, the only man of color on the ranch, who presents a notorious exclusion or discrimination because of his race, but in addition to the races, people of other gender were also excluded or put aside, as is Curley's wife who is the only woman on the farm, who was never given a name, was marginalized and was called promiscuous because of her lack of companionship. Candy is another character who feels lonely and helpless and this is due to the lack of human connection, which is common for the social era they were living in at the time (Great Depression), and is something that the previous two characters share, a deep and internal loneliness, a sad reality that is highlighted and portrays how miserable life was for certain characters on that ranch. "I seen the guys that go around on the ranches alone. That ain't no good. They don't have no fun. After a long time they get mean. They get wantin' …show more content…
Lennie, being mentally handicapped, committed actions that were embarrassing or got George in trouble, but they were never done with malice, and George knew it, so he tried to remedy or take care of the situations that Lennie put him in, since he always took care of Lennie “All the time he done bad things, but he never done one of ‘em mean”. “I’m gonna get him. I’m going for my shotgun. I’ll kill the big son-of-a-bitch myself. I’ll shoot ‘im in the