Critical Essay: Theme of Loneliness in "Of Mice and Men."

Essay by quangkhoa29 November 2005

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"Of Mice and Men" is a powerful and moving novel by John Steinbeck, telling of two men following their dream of independence in the midst of the Depression. The theme of Loneliness is particularly prominent in this novel and is demonstrated clearly by many aspects of writer's craft. The most noticeable of these are word choice, symbolism and tone. The setting of the novel is the first indication that the theme could be centered around loneliness. When George talks to Lennie about the advantage they have over other itinerant workers of the time, they are near a lagoon which, to anyone alone would seem lonely, but to them seems comfortable as they have each other. George described how other ranch hands like themselves who traveled alone had nothing to look forward to, and no one to look after them. He told Lennie how other workers would just work up a stake and blows it at a bar because they had no where else to go, no one else to look after them.

George explained how Lennie and himself were different from those lonely workers when he said, "With us it ain't like that, We got a future. We got somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us" This quote shows how George and Lennie can turn a potentially lonely situation into something that shows them hope and comfort. However, when the men arrive at the ranch, the theme becomes more prominent as the men's relationship is put under stress by the presence of the other men who do not understand why they need each other's company: "'We travel together,' said George coldly. 'Oh, so it's that way.' George was tense and motionless. 'Yeah, it's that way' " This quote shows how George is uncomfortable about confiding in...