Themes: Loneliness and Alienation
Steinbeck explores the theme of loneliness and isolation through specific character interactions. For instance, Candy, Crooks, and Lennie all exemplify the experience of alienation.
Candy is an aging and disabled ranch hand who has been relegated to cleaning the bunkhouse. Due to his age and physical disability, he cannot participate with the other men in ranch work and is excluded by the men when they visit the town. Steinbeck uses Candy’s old dog to parallel Candy’s own advanced age and diminished ability on the farm. Despite Candy’s reservations, the other ranch hands advocate for killing Candy’s dog, whom they believe is too old to be useful anymore. The ranch hands view Candy as being just as useless as his old dog, representing how the farm treats its own members once they've outlived their purpose. The men can exercise the power of putting the dog “out of its misery,” which is something they cannot exercise over Candy.
Crooks embodies the isolation and loneliness that arise from racial differences. As the only African American on the ranch, Crooks is ostracized and mistreated. At the time of the Great Depression, when Of Mice and Men is set, African Americans experienced a great deal of racism. Crooks exhibits an understanding of this; he realizes how and why he has been alienated from the other men. When Crooks and Curley’s wife get into a disagreement, Crooks’s belief that he can partake in the dream of owning land is dashed. He is quickly broken down again by Curley’s wife’s threats against him. Crooks sees that living in isolation is safer than interacting with the white men and women, whom he obviously cannot trust, because they will inevitably mistreat him.
Lennie faces the fear and stigma attached to having a mental disability, and we see the reverberations of this alienation throughout the novella. Although Lennie is cared for by George, he is misunderstood by many who encounter him, such as Curley’s wife. Lennie doesn’t wish to hurt anyone, but he lacks the social knowledge and physical control to avoid doing so. Lennie is left out of activities such as going to the town with George and the other men. However, Lennie also stands as a foil to loneliness through his absolute loyalty and friendship to George.
Expert Q&A
In Of Mice and Men, why does Crooks change his mind about joining the "dream"?
Crooks initially dismisses the "dream" of owning land in Of Mice and Men because he believes it is unrealistic. However, when he learns that Candy, George, and Lennie have saved enough money and picked out a place, he expresses interest in joining them. His enthusiasm fades after witnessing the disruptive behavior of others, leading him to value his peace and privacy over the chaotic potential of communal living.
What does Slim's statement about everyone being scared of each other in Of Mice and Men mean, with focus on Curley, George, and Lennie?
Slim's statement about everyone being scared of each other in Of Mice and Men highlights the themes of isolation and mistrust. Curley fears the workers, especially Slim, might pursue his wife, masking his anxiety with aggression. George fears losing his job and the disruption Curley's wife might cause. Lennie fears losing George, his protector. This fear-driven behavior exemplifies the lack of trust among characters during the Great Depression.
What does Crooks mean in Of Mice and Men when he discusses playing with white kids as a child?
"My ol' man didn't like that. I never knew till long later why he didn't like that. But I know now."
Crooks means that he has become painfully aware of racial discrimination as an adult, which was something he never entertained as a child playing with white children. His father knew the white children would eventually grow up and discriminate against his son later in life. As the only Black worker on the ranch, Crooks suffers from racial prejudice, is treated like a second-class citizen, and is forced to live a lonely, isolated life.
What common factor allows Crooks, Candy, and Lennie to bond briefly in Crooks' room?
Crooks, Candy, and Lennie bond briefly due to their shared status as social outcasts and their isolation. Each faces discrimination or marginalization: Crooks due to race and disability, Candy because of age and physical impairment, and Lennie due to mental challenges. They all share a dream of belonging and companionship, hoping to escape their loneliness. Their brief connection highlights their common struggle against societal exclusion and their desire for a place where they can be accepted.
What does Crooks mean on page 82 when he says, "You guys comin' in an' settin' made me forget. What she said is true"?
On page 82, when Crooks says, "You guys comin' in an' settin' made me forget. What she said is true", he is acknowledging the temporary lapse in his awareness of his lowly status due to the presence of the other ranch hands in his shack. This lapse gave him the courage to confront Curley's wife, but her threat of lynching reminded him of the harsh reality of his racial inferiority and her power over him.
What does Crooks' statement, "Nobody never gets to heaven and nobody gets no land" mean in Of Mice and Men?
Crooks' statement reflects his cynicism and lack of faith due to a life of discrimination and isolation. He compares the unattainable dream of owning land to reaching heaven, suggesting both are illusions that keep people hopeful but are ultimately unreachable. This highlights the harsh reality faced by migrant workers during the Depression, who often had dreams of land ownership but rarely achieved them, similar to the elusive promise of heaven.
Is Slim a lonely character in the story? Could he potentially alleviate George's loneliness after Lennie's death?
Slim is portrayed as a lonely character because his skills and sensitivity set him apart from others. While he and George share a unique understanding, especially after Lennie's death, it is unlikely that Slim will alleviate George's loneliness. Despite their potential connection, the novel suggests that George will likely conform to the lonely, itinerant lifestyle of other farm workers.
How does Crooks initially respond to Lennie's dream and why does his response change?
Crooks initially responds to Lennie's dream with deep skepticism, viewing it as an unattainable fantasy due to his bitter experiences with racial prejudice and exploitation. His response changes briefly when he angrily defends the dream against Curley's wife's goading, but he quickly reverts to his original skepticism after she threatens him, retreating to a stance of subservience and disbelief.
Why does Slim think men who are alone on the ranches get mean?
"I seen the guys that go around on the ranches alone. That ain’t no good. They don’t know how to have fun. After a long time they get mean."
Slim, reflecting on George's observation, agrees that men who are alone on ranches become mean due to loneliness and isolation. This lack of human connection leads to frustration and bitterness. For example, Crooks becomes cruel to Lennie, and Curley's wife lashes out at Crooks, both driven by their own isolation. Steinbeck illustrates how loneliness can bring out the worst in people, underscoring the importance of friendship, as seen with George and Lennie.
What evidence suggests a hostile social environment in Of Mice and Men and its effect on George and Lennie?
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