Of Mice and Men - Loneliness is an inevitable fact of life that not even the strongest and most hardened can avoid.

George, a short tempered yet a kind and loving friend, is adrift in a mind of loneliness. Near the beginning of the novel, George reveals his thoughts on loneliness through a brief story about himself and Lennie: “Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys guys in the world. They got no family. They don't belong no place...With us it ain't like that. We got a future. We got somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us. We don't have to sit in no bar room blowin' in our jack jus' because we got no place else to go. If them other guys gets in jail they can rot for all anybody gives a damn. But not us. (Steinbeck 13-14). George realizes that loneliness contributes to much of his suffering. Migrant workers, like George, rarely have anyone for companionship. To relieve his loneliness George not only befriends Lennie, but also finds friendship within his co-workers. He avidly accepts the offer to go into town to check out the local 'cat house' with the boys, leaving Lennie unaccompanied in the barn with the animals. Towards the end of the novel, George experiences a greater awareness of his loneliness and guilt when he kills Lennie. Rather then being angry or disappointed in Lennie for what hes done, George, confounded by his loneliness, wishes for Lennie to stay, rather then run away: “No...I want you to stay here with me” (Steinbeck 104). Overcome by his loneliness and guilt, George pulls the trigger, ending Lennie's life. This does not cure George's loneliness, though, as it only makes him more lonely and guilty after murdering his only true friend.

Curley's wife, who walks the ranch as a flirt, conceals her loneliness behind the “tramp” mask she puts on. After being wed at such an early age, left at home all hours of the day, such boredom would envelop one with a great sense of depression and loneliness. Being married to a man that she never sees or gives her any time would heighten those emotions. Her outbreak in Crook's room gives great perception of her character: “--Sat'iday night. Ever'body out doin' som'pin'. Ever'body! An what am I doin'? Standin' here talin' to a bunch of bindle stiffs—a nigger an' a dum-dum and a lousy ol' sheep—an' likin' it because they ain't nobody else. (Steinbeck 78). Being the only women on the ranch, Curley's Wife has no one to confide with. She has no friends, no life, and no respect. She is not even deserving enough of a name. She has been cut so deep with loneliness she turns to the likes of Lennie, Candy and Crook's to appease her need for belonging. Curley's Wife reveals a lot about herself to Lennie, as he is the only one that will listen. She dabs at her loneliness when she says: “Seems like they ain't none of them cares how I gotta live,” (Steinbeck 88). In some aspects her displeasure and frustration are released, in a way, because she has poured her deepest thoughts and feelings before her death. Irony presides when she finds a person confide to, yet to be unfortunately killed by his hands.

All three aforementioned characters attempt to overcome their loneliness, desperately wanting to change the way they are. Crook's loneliness is shadowed by his character and stubbornness to all other people, though he opens up to Lennie. George's loneliness is hidden by his rugged attitude, but seems to come to light when explaining the tale of the farm to Lennie. Curley's wife's loneliness is clouded by her seemingly acts of prostitution, though tells Lennie her most inner thoughts. Loneliness is an unavoidable emotion that seems to stretch on forever. One cannot escape from being lonely, and the characters attempt to defeat it by seeking a friend, only to settle for the ear of a stranger.