Explain the Ways in Which Most of the Characters in ‘of Mice and Men.’ Are Presented as Being Lonely and Comment on How They Respond to Loneliness

Loneliness: sadness because one has no friends or company, one of the main themes which plays a big role in the novel, affecting and influencing the plot and the development of characters. Loneliness affects all characters in the novel some way or another. This idea is brought to us early in the novel, hinting about the loneliness of almost all characters by section 2. This essay will analyse three characters, Candy, Crooks and Curley’s wife in this 20th century classic, and how they are presented how they are lonely and their response to this loneliness.

Candy is arguably one of the most crucial character in terms of the plot development; the offer made by Candy is what made George and Lennie’s dream to buy their own ranch possible, at least in their minds. In the novel, his dog being put down acts as a metaphor of Candy’s fast approaching end of Candy’s own useful working life on the ranch, as well as foreshadowing the death of Lennie.

The first hint of Candy’s loneliness is shown by his attraction and affection towards his old sheep dog. When Carlson commented on his smell, saying “God Awmighty, that dog stinks. Get him outta here, Candy! I don’t know nothing that stinks as bad as an old dog. You gotta get him out.”. To this, Candy “reached over and patted the ancient dog, and he apologized, “I been around around him so much I never notice how he stinks.”. Taken at face value, Candy’s immunity against his smell shows that he spends so much time with him, as he is his only companion, but one can also interpret this as Candy loving him so much that the stink of his old sheep dog does not bother him.

Candy’s loneliness is also shown by his reply to Carlson he asked Candy why he didn’t shoot his dog to put him out of his misery. Candy “squirmed uncomfortably”, and replied with, “”Well - hell! I had him so long. Had him since he was a pup. I herded sheep with him.” He said proudly, “You wouldn’t think it to look at him now, but he was the best damn sheep dog I ever seen.”. He “squirmed uncomfortably”, showing his discomfort with discussing the topic, and again demonstrating his affection towards his sheep dog, but his discomfort quickly turned into content as he reminisced his old times with his old sheep dog, showing again, his affection towards his dog. This also shows that the dog has been his companion for a long time, again demonstrating his loneliness.

Candy knew that his dog was going to be put down, “for Slim’s opinions were law”, and went in denial. He begs and tries to convince them to leave his dog alone. He says, “Maybe it’d hurt him...I don’t mind takin’ care of him”. This shows that although Candy knew the decision was made and he cannot change anything, he still tries, as if he doesn’t believe it is going to happen. This shows how much he loves his dog because he is his only companion. He tries to delay it, saying “Maybe tomorra. Le’s wait till tomorra.”, which again shows his denial and loneliness.

Following the lost of his companion, he turns to Lennie and George. He asks George about the place and wanted to get, and realises that this may be his chance to finally escape from the ranch and cease to be lonely. He tries to convince George to let him live with them, contributing all of his savings to the cause. This shows that he is so lonely that he is willing to trust strangers with his money and basically his life for a chance that they will let him live with him and accompany him.

Crooks is the only black man in the novel and he is a crucial character who gives us an insight into the position to blacks in America at that time. His status is shown through different ways in the novel such as not living with the other men in the bunkroom, being openly referred to as “nigger”, which illustrates the casual racism towards him. It is not meant to insult him deliberately, but rather because blacks are constantly degraded both verbally and physically by whites. He can be seen as lonely because of his jealousy of George and Lennie’s friendship and his desire to join in the dream of owning their own ranch.

The earliest sign of Crook’s loneliness can be spotted early on the novel when Candy was telling George and Lennie about Crooks. Candy said that “The boss gives him hell when he’s mad. But the stable buck don’t give a damn about that”. First, this tells us that he does not care, or has become desensitised to hate towards him because he is picked on so often, as he is black, whether by the boss or by other whites. This shows how lonely he is because everyone treats him derogatory way and he has no companions - even more lonely than Candy! We can also presume his insignificance and low status in the social hierarchy in the ranch when Candy refers to him as “Stable Buck” rather than his name. Candy also says that Crooks “ reads a lot. Got books in his room.”. As a response to his loneliness, he chooses to read books, as he does not socialise with other men on the ranch, or rather, does not have the status to.

Crooks also shows his loneliness by proclaiming that the other whites stink, telling Lennie harshly that “they say I stink. Well, I tell you, you all of you stink to me.”. His resentment towards the white males may be interpreted as because they all treat him like an animal, and he could not find a friend or companion because of his skin color. Showing his bitterness towards the white males and his loneliness.

Despite having shown his resentment towards white males, he still tells Lennie to come in, telling him to “come in and set a while. Long as you (Lennie) won’t get out and leave me (Crooks) alone, you might as well set down. His tone was a little more friendly.”. This shows how eager he is for social interaction, being willing to talk to Lennie, a white male. His tone even turned friendly because, as of this novel, it is his first time really interacting with another human being. He even confides into Lennie, telling him about his past whilst “leaning forward over the edge of the bunk”. His confession to Lennie first shows his eagerness to finally “let it all out”. This is supported by his body language. He leans towards Lennie, showing his comfort and keenness to talk to Lennie.

When Candy had asked