Although both stories were written in different centuries and tell of different circumstances there are many similarities between the two. They both involve loneliness and outsiders. However, straight away you can tell that the two stories are set in different places and at different times.
One of the most obvious connections between the two stories is that both sets of main characters are lonely. Both Lenny and Rhoda are very much alike, they are both seen as outsiders, we can tell this from our first impressions Rhoda is described as “a thin fading women of 30 milked somewhat apart from the rest” Our first impression of Lenny is that he has child like characteristics. Rhoda and George are both similar due to the fact that they both only have childlike characters to confide in and have no one of their intelligence to talk to.
Although George and Lenny have each other they are still lonely. It seems there relationship is more of a chore then a friendship. Because George and Lenny are “migrant American labours” they do not have the chance to settle down and make friends.
Another cause of loneliness is due to prejudice towards the coloured citizens, the coloured and crippled stable boy has been isolated in a bunk separate from the other ranch workers as his colour creates yet another class in society.
It is ironic that one of the only people to recognise that his colour makes no difference is Lenny, and he is the least intelligent person in the story.
In “the withered arm” Thomas Hardy makes it very clear that Rhoda is an outsider she is partly set aside because she wants keep to herself, although I feel that social class her and certain characters in this story.
Gertrude the pretty young wife of farmer lodge is also set aside because of her “marks of a lady”. As she is the wife of a reasonably wealthy man she is not to be seen mixing with the workers or lower classes.
The idea of division among social class is also true in “of mice and men” where Curly’s wives is believed to be higher class and are not expected to spend time with the workers. When Curly the men’s living quarters there is an uncomfortable conversation as his class has set him from the rest.
It is all the more shocking then that his wife is continuously talking and hassling the other men into being around her because she feels isolated as she only has her husband to talk to.
The language is very important in “the withered arm” as there are many words and phrases, which are not commonly used any more such as “lorn” this helps to set the date in which the story is set and written.