Explore the Theme of Loneliness and Isolation in “Of Mice and Men”
Steinbeck’s novel “Of Mice and Men” is centred around two workers, Lennie and George, and their friendship. George is a small, witty man while Lennie is a larger man with a “shapeless” face and is mentally slow. They begin working at a farm in the town of Soledad, meaning 'lonely ' in Spanish. The novel’s setting is inspired by the place of Steinbeck’s birth, Salinas, California, and the thoughts and feelings of the characters. During the course of the novel, Steinbeck provides indications of isolation and loneliness, as notable among being one of the novel’s motifs. These traits are portrayed in the novel’s setting, characters and their thoughts. Steinbeck’s novel “Of Mice and Men” is centred around two workers, Lennie and George, and their friendship. George is a small, witty man while Lennie is a larger man with a “shapeless” face and is mentally slow. They begin working at a farm in the town of Soledad, meaning 'lonely ' in Spanish. The novel’s setting is based in California, inspired by the place of Steinbeck’s birth, Salinas, California, and the thoughts and feelings of the characters.
The novel is set during the Great Depression, when hoards hordes of migrant workers came to California in search of work, competing for low-paid jobs from one ranch to another. The loneliness and desperation of those hanging onto their dreams and survive during the economic collapse, which Steinbeck witnessed