Loneliness in 'Of Mice and Men'.

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Loneliness in 'Of Mice and Men'

The novel 'Of mice and Men', is set in 1930's America, during the depression years. Through the novel Steinbeck tries to get over to us the idea of the migrant worker, and the feeling of loneliness among workers in the Ranch's. Previously, before writing the novel, Steinbeck himself had been a migrant worker. As well as the factor of loneliness, he also tries to show us the idea of the 'American Dream', and how in many cases people did have dreams, which were never fulfilled. Some of the characters Steinbeck uses, to portray these factors are Curley's wife, and Crooks the stable buck. Curley's wife is the only female on the ranch, and Crooks is a black, disabled man in an unaccepting society.

The first two characters we meet in the novel are George and Lennie. Both of them are migrant workers, who travel from ranch to ranch with each other. The first thing we notice about the two characters is that they are complete opposites. George is a short, with sharp features - something which reflects his personality too. He is a quick thinker. However Lennie is described as huge and bulky. We soon discover that Lennie is not particularly bright and is constantly being reminded by George about things. Lennie has an obsession with stroking 'nice' soft things. Lennie and George have a very odd relationship for to grown men. Usually migrant workers would travel alone, and have very few - if any - friends. George is almost a father figure for Lennie. Constantly looking out for him and keeping him safe. However I believe that George stays with Lennie for the company. Lennie looks up to George.
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The next character to appear in the novel is Candy the swamper. Candy is an old, frail worker with only one arm after a farming accident. His only real friend in life is his old dog, disliked by most of the workers because of its putrid smell. About half way through the novel, Candy also looses his dog after giving into Carlson, and letting him shoot it. Candy is a very lonely character and he doesn't really have a future. When he hears on George and Lennie's plans to by their own place, he immediately wants to be ...

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