The only relationship he can find is with his books. When Lennie enters his room, Crooks is interested in Lennie’s relationship with George. “Well s’pose, jus’ s’pose he don’t come back.” Crook wants to make people understand and maybe even have sympathy for his situation. As Crooks is a disempowered character who turns his vulnerability into a weapon to attack those who are even weaker. He plays a cruel game with Lennie, suggesting to him that George is gone for good. Only when Lennie threatens him with physical power does he relent.
Crooks then reveals anguish, says quote “You got George. You know he’s goin’ to come back. S’pose you didn’t have nobody……”. Here, Crooks reveals his fear of loneliness, but he does not want to seen vulnerable so he considers it safe to tell Lennie his revelations, as the conversation would go no further than his bunk. Crooks uses Lennie as a sounding board, as his need to talk to a person was immense. Crooks also becomes so desperate for a relationship that he offers his services to George and Lennie for free to escape his loneliness. "…If you…guys would want a hand to work for nothing – just his keep, why I’d come an’ lend a hand. I ain’t so crippled I can’t work like a son-of-a-bitch if I want to." But he then forces himself into his normal combative posture after receiving threats from Curly’s wife.
Candy, an old, physically disabled swamper, has worked on the ranch practically his whole life. When Candy was on the ranch, he got into an accident that cost him a physical handicap. As a result of Candy’s age and disability he has a feeling of uselessness. Since Candy feels that he is old, he places himself in a state of mind that handicaps him more than his missing hand ever will. He looks down on himself as an old worthless man wasting away his last few years. He is often afraid of losing his work, not to mention is whole life. "I got hurt four years ago. They’ll can me purty soon. Jus’ as soon as I can’t swamp out no bunk houses they’ll put me on the county." Candy is so down that he puts himself into a state of solitude. He is often allowed to go out with the other guys, but he always refuses due to his negative aspect towards himself. Candy thinks that nobody wants to be friends with him because of his disability. Eventually, he tries to find a friendship by attempting to join the dream of George and Lennie, to own and run their own little ranch. This is one of Candy’s desperate attempts to find a place in society and meaning in life. Candy offered his services to become a part of George and Lennie’s friendship and dream. "I’ll wash dishes an’ little chick stuff like that. But I’ll be on your own place, an’ I’ll be let to work on our own place." Candy was attempting to overcome his loneliness and regain a positive outlook by seeking out situations that enable him to get involved with other ranchers. It is quite possible that he was sad and lonely because he was in search of the right person to be friends with. After Candy lost his dog, he felt much more lonely than he was before. The dog was something that Candy had owned and confided with within his years. He felt worthless because now he didn’t own a single important thing.
Nobody in the book shared the same interests and/or dreams as Candy did. This is why he tried so hard to gain the attention and friendship of Lennie and George. He offers everything that he had to support the friendship including money, but money will never buy genuine friendship. "Maybe if I give you money, you’ll let me how in the garden even after I ain’t no good at it."
Curley’s wife is a tease to everybody on the ranch. She will dress and act sort of like a "whore". She uses her body as a provocative tool and Curley’s wife also dresses fairly bare to gain the attention of the ranchers to sooth her loneliness. These acts give her a sense of relief and made her feel wanted so she can share her personal concerns and experiences. Because of her reputation for being a flirt, none of the ranchers wants to talk to her, due to her irascible husband. "Maybe you better go along to you own house now. We don’t want no trouble." Curley’s, insecure feelings towards his wife, forces her into flirting with the other ranchers..
Curley’s wife notices how simple-minded Lennie is and takes advantage of that situation. She knows that he would be the only one where she could discuss her problems that she deals with everyday. One problem that Curley’s wife was unaware of, was Lennie’s curiosity and interest in soft objects. When Curley’s wife was done explaining her problems to somebody that could care less about them, she asked him to stroke her hair. But when she began to yell at Lennie, he just pulled her hair tighter. This leads to the death of Curly’s wife and now she will not have to worry about being lonely ever again. She finally seeks out someone who doesn’t know any better than to talk to her. Once she found that person, Lennie, her loneliness is soothed permanently. This could be thought of as a misfortune, but as a positive aspect as well because it ended her suffering. Curly’s wife’s case of loneliness was the most severe throughout the novel. She struggled in her society to find somebody that she could consult with. She tried and would do anything imaginable to dispatch her loneliness.
Loneliness is defined as solitary, seclusion and isolated. Throughout the story, Of Mice and Men, the reader discovers the many sources of solitude, isolation and seclusion mainly being discrimination and prejudice. Crooks, Candy and Curley’s wife all suffer the previous injustices resulting in loneliness and isolation. They learn to cope with their loneliness through their interest in Lennie and George’s friendship. In some ways they are even envious of the bond. Which proves, a victim of isolation will have a never-ending strive to fulfil a friendship.