Lonliness as a theme in "Of mice and men".

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Steinbeck has introduced the novel during Americas 1930s Great Depression. Throughout this devastating period majority of the population were either unemployed or working on an extremely low pay. In this depressing time men were separated from their families as they had to migrate to find work. Men who were once friends distanced themselves from one another because of a lack of trust and a sense that every man was in it for himself. Steinbeck reflects this through the characters in the novel as they do not travel with anyone or have any close relationships with one another. This is due to them knowing that because of migration they cannot gain true companionship, thus reflecting the lives of the migrant worker. They believed that these actions where a key factor in order to survivethe Great Depression. Steinbeck has used their lives to represent one of the main themes in his novel, loneliness. Steinbeck’s language gives the reader an insight as to what the Great depression was like thusencouraging the reader to empathise with the ranch men and understand their choices thus fashioning a unique relationship between the readers and the characters.

The theme of loneliness is evident throughout the novel as everyone on the ranch experiences loneliness in different ways. This is exemplified in George’s character as he is placed with Lennie someone who can’t understand his needs as a result of his learning disabilities. Similarly Curly’s wife is also lonely like most women in the 1930s, as she is treated like more of a possession therefore her partner does not feel the need to concern himself with her worries. This portrays a major irony within these characters as they are not physically alone yet their requirements are not accomplished.

Steinbeck delves into the theme of loneliness in the first chapter through the outburst of George’s anger and frustration in order to surface George’s supressedemotions. The following quote. “What I got” George went on furiously “I got you illustrates George’s irritation with Lennie. His outburst seems to satisfy his need to expose his problems to someone including Lennie as he is depicted as a burden in George’s life. As ‘George went on’ ranting he becomes unconscious of the effect it may have on Lennie’s childlike emotions. The rhetorical question ‘whattai  got’ uses sarcasm to shine a light on the lack of possessions as he knows he does not own much. The lack of possessions also relates to not having someone to confide in. Although it may seem as though George has Lennie as a friend in reality he’s just as lonely as all the other men as Lennie cannot fulfil his desire for a trusting adult who also recognise the hardships he faces. Therefore George try’s to fill this void with acting as a father figure towards LennieGeorges father like behaviour is represented through Lennie’s actions as Lennie cries “Make ‘um let me alone, George”. Represents the high ranking authority that George holds over Lennie. This is recognized as Lennie has the ability to take control due to his size yet he seeks permission from George first thus presenting Lennie as a helpless child.

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Steinbeck further explores the theme of loneliness through Curly’s wife’s  lack of relationship with her husband as it drives her to seek attention from the other men on the ranch as she is also trying to fill the void witch leads her to be lonely. The reference “hi, good lookin’” depicts the regular flirtations she has with the ranch men hence stressing her loneliness, as she compensates her being lonely through her presentation as a sexual object. Her actions like leaning ‘against the door frame so that her body was thrown forward’ proposes the type of attention she wants to ...

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