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How Loneliness Affects Characters in of Mice and Men

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How Loneliness Affects Characters in of Mice and Men
Loneliness
Of mice and men.
Loneliness is one of the primary themes in Of Mice and Men. Throughout the novel, John Steinbeck shows the enormous effect that loneliness has on the characters. Steinbeck most clearly illustrates this theme through Crooks, Candy, and Curley 's wife. Ranch hands are ideal types of people to portray as being lonely, because their constant travel leaves them without someone to talk to or share things with. Steinbeck also shows how important it is for every human being to have a companion. Companionship is necessary in order for someone to live an enjoyable life. Although loneliness affects each one of the characters in Of Mice and Men differently, they all experience negative feelings from their lack of companionship.
Crooks-Loneliness has made Crook 's a very bitter and isolated person. He is truly not able to leave this situation because of his race. The other men at the ranch do not relate with Crooks unless he is working because he is black. Other than when they are working, the other men shut Crooks out off all of their activities except horseshoes. Crooks are very isolated and not welcome in leisure activities. He has become bitter and known to lash out at people because of the loneliness that he has. Crooks 's emotions are displayed to the reader when he talks to Lennie in his room about having no one to relate to and communicate with. He exclaimed : "Maybe you can see now. You got George. You know he 's goin ' to come back. S 'pose you didn 't have nobody. S 'pose you couldn 't go into the bunk house and play rummy `cuase you was black...A guy needs somebody--to be near him" In a way, everyone needs someone to talk to, whether it is a friend, family member, or even a pet. This is a source of comfort and wealth for the person. Crooks does not have any of these sources. Crooks has never been treated well by any of his co-workers because he is black. This has affected Crooks greatly. He has become bitter and has obtained a

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