In Of Mice and Men(TM) Stienbeck explores loneliness and the ways in which characters try to escape the isolation which their situation, at that time and in that culture, places them.(TM) Discuss this view in relation to the

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In ‘Of Mice and Men’ Stienbeck explores loneliness and the ways in which characters try to escape the isolation which their situation, at that time and in that culture, places them.’ Discuss this view in relation to the novel.

By Peter Liddle

The story; Of Mice and Men is set on the east coast of the USA, in the state of California during the great depression of 1929 – 1939. At this time the area was known as the dust bowl.

The dust bowl had a huge affect on the citizens, as a number of droughts and failed crops added to the amount of people migrating west. This caused the number of employers to go down either due to bankruptcy or migration west, most men in this area had to move from ranch to ranch on short-term, poorly paid contracts, as this was the only work available. These workers usually travelled alone and they where called itinerant workers. Most itinerant workers travelled alone, probably only looked after themselves, and may well have isolated themselves. Reading those last three words makes you think of one word: loneliness.

Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world

 This is probably why the story is set in a place called Soledad, as soledad is the Spanish for loneliness.

During the great depression (1929 – 1939) the Negroes, although ‘free’, were looked upon as lesser people and, especially in the southern states, were almost treated like slaves or at best dirt.

I ain’t a southern negro…

As Crooks isn’t a southern Negro he was born free and not into any kind of slavery, the other workers; Curley, George, Carlson, Whit and also Curleys’ wife treat him like dirt, not because of where he comes from, not because if he was born free or not, not because of his personality, just because of the colour of his skin.

They say I stink.

This quote gives an insight to what most people thought about Negroes at this time in American history and culture.

At this time in America women are treated badly, but not nearly as badly as Negroes. Women aren’t treated like people but instead like possessions. We know this as through the whole story ‘Curleys’ Wife’ and is not given a name.

During the first half of the 1900’s there was no idea or concept of pensions so when the elderly got ‘canned’ (fired) they got no help, support or money. Unless they had saved it up, the problem was most of the workers didn’t save anything because of the lifestyle they where in.

Join now!

They come to a ranch an’ work up a stake and then they go inta town and blow their stake,’

As well as this lots of people where migrating west so friends, family, doctors etc. where disappearing. This meant the sick where sometimes unable to reach a doctor. This also meant the elderly could end up on their own and isolated from friends and family.

        In ‘Of Mice and Men’ the figure of Candy represents the sick and elderly. He is different from the other men for a number of reasons; firstly he is the oldest man on ...

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