The theme of loneliness in of mice and men.

Curley's wife's loneliness has altered her demeanor towards others tremendously, making her overtly insecure and excessively flirtatious. Curley's wife has become virtually another person because of loneliness. The men on the ranch avoid her because of flirtatious personality to keep out of trouble. No one understands her situation and how loneliness affects her. Her insecurity is evident by the way she dresses and utilizes her make-up. She uses her appearance to receive attention like when "[Curley's Wife] was standing there looking in. She had full, rouged lips and wide-spaced eyes, heavily made up. Her fingernails were red. Her hair hung in little rolled clusters, like sausages. She wore a cotton housedress and red mules, on the steps of which were little bouquets of red ostrich feathers" (Steinbeck 31). Curley's Wife feels she must dress this way for people to acknowledge her and give her attention. Her dressing-up is entirely unnecessary because they live on a farm and this is not the typical clothing. The way she dresses/makes herself up proves her insecurity and her inability to feel good about who she really is. Curley's Wife dresses inappropriately along with acting in flirtatious ways. This is another attempt for the attention she believes she does not get. Her coyness is obvious when she, ."..put her hands behind her back and leaned against the door frame so that her body was thrown forward" (Steinbeck 31). Curley does not give his wife to love and affection that she desires. This makes her seek it from other people. By not talking to anyone and constantly worrying about what Curley will do, she has attained a slyness that does not appeal to anyone on the ranch. Acting in flirtatious ways is the only way Curley's Wife thinks she can deal with her loneliness.

Loneliness accounts for much of Lennie's inner conflicts, his dream for the farm, and the desire for friendship/affection. His desire for friendship/affection makes him have a obsession for soft objects. The relationships in Lennie's life do not provide him with a sufficient amount of care and affection that Lennie needs. This leads him to desire soft items such as a mouse, a puppy, a rabbit, or even a dress for a source of comfort. Wanting these soft items is his effort to achieve companionship that he does not acquire from anyone else. Lennie has become aware of his actions when he deals with the soft items. He takes certain precautions and listens to whatever George or other people tell him so he will not lose the opportunity to have such items as his puppy. Lennie shows his cautiousness towards George when he states: "Give `um to me George. I'll take `um back. I didn't mean no harm, George. Honest. I didn't. I jus' wanted to pet `um a little" (Steinbeck 43). Loneliness has made Lennie very cautious towards others because he has to worry about getting in trouble. His ideas about the farm, rabbits, mice, and puppies all derive from his obsession/need for a friendlier and more interactive lifestyle. Lennie's lifestyle now does not permit him to obtain this specific way of life with affability. His mental condition along his uncontrollable strength makes him unable to achieve this sociability. He still is not aware of this. Lennie's feelings and emotions are portrayed to the reader when he sees the rabbit and Aunt Clara. He says: "I tried Aunt Clara, ma'am. I tried. I couldn't help it...I'll go right off in the hills an' I'll fin' a cave an' I'll live there so I won't be no more trouble to George" (Steinbeck 101). Lennie was basically in denial of his own loneliness. Loneliness has made Lennie want a better life for himself. This involves these soft items and the dream for his/George's farm. He believes at the farm he will not have to deal with all the problems that he has now. Lennie became unrealistic in many ways because of both his condition and his loneliness. Lennie most likely would have never obtained the farm or the soft items even if he wasn't killed, but his loneliness serves as motivation for these goals.  

Loneliness has tremendously affected the behavior and thoughts of Crooks, Lennie and Curley's Wife. There are distinct changes in each person. Crooks has developed a bitter personality, Curley's Wife has become excessively coy, and Lennie has obtained a desire for soft items in addition to his desire for the farm. Simple relationships and unconditional care could have prevented each one of these character's situations. Loneliness has affected each person differently, but the source of why they changed is the same.