Discuss the theme of loneliness in the novel 'Of Mice and Men' by looking at the characters 'Crook, Candy and Curly's wife'.

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Discuss the theme of loneliness in the novel  ‘Of Mice and Men’ by looking at the characters ‘Crook, Candy and Curly’s wife’

Loneliness plays an integral role in the novel and it is this theme, which effectively leads to the inevitable ending.  Each of the characters mentioned in the essay title re-enacts different aspects of the definition ‘loneliness’.  Hence I will explore the way in which Steinbeck epitomises loneliness, using each of these characters.

Crooks is depicted as a ‘loner’ due to his supposed unfortunate predicament of being born a ‘nigger’. Despite this term being derogatory, it highlights the immediately low social stratum that black people occupied in a period where racism and segregation was prominent.

‘ The boss gives him hell when he’s mad’

 

Just because is black, he is at the receiving end of the boss; wrath, a white man.   Crooks is described by Candy as a ‘nice fella’.  The reader is left to assume that the only Black character mentioned in the story is ‘lonely’, as the reader is almost oblivious of his presence. It is but for the initial reference to him and the re-emergence of his character in the middle section of the book that the reader is forced to remember.  

The idea of ‘loneliness’ with reference to Crook’s character has two explanations.  The primary reason for his loneliness is ‘Cause [He’s]… black’.  Crooks is annihilated due to his race which in the period when the book was written, segregation was rampant.  The reader learns exactly what Crooks feels about his treatment:

‘I ain’t wanted in the bunkhouse… Cause I’m black… I can’t play [cards] because I’m black.  They say I stink.’  

This outburst signifies the loneliness he feels.  He is ostracised due to his race and is not allowed to participate in any activities.  Unlike the other characters that experience loneliness, the reader feels that his isolation is the most extreme, as he is black, which automatically relegates him to a low class.

The second explanatory for his loneliness is his disability, which evokes a form of loneliness.  Crooks has ‘a crooked back…’. And so presumably, he does have not much use due to his inability to provide a service.  Slim suggest that inability to provide a service notes your uselessness:

 ‘I wish somebody’d shoot me if I get old and cripple’.

Crooks falls into both these categories.  As well as being old, he is cripple, therefore shooting him is of no great loss.  Crooks’ annihilation due to his race and forced into a low social stratum he has an equal status as an animal.  This is well represented in c chapter four’, where the reader learns that ‘Crooks’ has ‘his bunk in the harness’, and what worsens the situation is the fact that his actual bunk is made from straw, which is what forms many animals’ beds.  The reader also learns that he has ‘a manure pile’ in his room.  Several references are made to his medication, where he owned ‘a range of medicine bottles, both for himself and for the horses.’  The fact that he uses medication indicates that he often feels pain:

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‘ Now and then he poured a few drops of the liniment into his pink-palmed hand… He flexed his muscles against his back and shivered.’

Crooks is constantly applying liniment to his back, which may be to ease the pain he feels.  He is often in pain and so may not be able to cope with strenuous activities, thus his uselessness and inevitable isolation.  The descriptions used with reference to Crooks appearance, may symbolise the suppression he feels from the world.  The fact that ‘ his body was bent over to the left by his crooked spine’ forces ...

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