How is the importance of home or friendship conveyed throughout the novel? “Friendship improves happiness, and abates misery, by doubling our joys, and dividing our grief” – Marcus Tullius Cicero. In the novel “Of Mice and Men,” by John Steinbeck, characters are struggling to live prosperously through the Great Depression. In the beginning of the story, the author describes most of the characters to be isolated, and forgetful of the value in friendship. Due to the lack of friendship and a surge of loneliness, many choose to become bitter and mean in an attempt to fend off irrational emotions and rather work like machines. However, despite the rough circumstances, the two protagonists, George and Lennie find each other through insecurities and imperfections. Rather than fending off problems by themselves, the two protagonists learn the true value of friendship and support one another. As the story develops, both the characters and readers learn the true value of friendship. Although friendship means that one would have to be candid about insecurities, it prevents loneliness and unfortunate bitterness. Throughout the story, friendship is a guarantee that prevents loneliness and bitterness even if it means that one would have to be open about insecurities. The lack of value the antagonist, Curley, put in on friendship determines his characteristic to be domineering and hostile. In the story, Curley is the son of the ranch boss. Despite his end of career as a light fighter,