Of Mice and Men Essay

The Great Depression took place in the United States in the 1930s. Northern California, Salinas Valley was affected by the Great Depression. Many farmers lost their properties and were forced to find other work. Banks were forced to foreclose on mortgages’ and had to collect debts. Hundreds of thousands of farmers packed up their families and few belongings, and headed for California. The Great Depression left many people in poverty and caused them to face unpleasant events. This is how life was like for the characters in Steinbeck’s novel Of Mice and Men. Mostly all the characters in this novel suffered from loneliness. Some of the men desired to come together in a way that would allow them to be like brothers to one another. Given the harsh, lonely conditions under which the men live, it is no surprise that they idealize friendship between other men in such a way. In the novel Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck uses characterization of dialogue and actions to show that everyone is lonely in some way even if they are surrounded by others. John Steinbeck uses characterization to show that loneliness causes people to reveal their feelings through dialogue. When Curley’s wife walks into the farm, she sees Lennie and begins to talk to him. He tries to avoid her and she says â€Å"‘I never get to talk to nobody. I get awful lonely’† (86). Curley’s wife has no one to talk to, and even Lennie tries to avoid her. Her words reveal that she is very lonely and even though there are so many people around her, nobody wants to talk to her. These words are significant because it shows how lonely she really is and how everyone tries to keep away from her because they know she causes drama and that she is married to Curley. George and Lennie also experience loneliness that they show through dialogue. As George and Lennie walk to the ranch together, George says, ‘â€Å"Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliness guys in the world. They got no family and they don’t belong to no place†Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ (121). In addition, George and Lennie have no real home. They work the season, and then move on. They have no family, no relatives, and no ties except to each other. George’s words reveal that the life style of migrant workers such as themselves gives the way to a lonely life. This dialogue is significant because it shows how George and Lennie are lonely and that even though they travel and meet new people they still possess some kind of loneliness. Even though George was surrounded by many of the men, he sat quietly by himself at on the table all alone. â€Å"George cut the cards and began turning them over, looking at each one and throwing it down in a pile† (27). George is occupying his time by sitting alone at the table and organizing cards. George’s actions show that he is lonely and has nothing better to do then organize a deck of cards. His actions are significant because it reveals how George is lonely and how he spends his time by himself organizing cards. Also, when Crooks experiences loneliness he occupies himself with books. Even though Crooks is surrounded by so many men, he often feels lonely, but he tries to convince himself that he is not lonely. ‘â€Å" S’pose you had to sit out here an’ read books. ’ Sure you could play horseshoes till it got dark, but then you got to read books. ’ Books ani’t no good. ’ A guy needs somebody to be near him†¦ he goes nuts if he ain’t got nobody†Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ (72). Crooks is very lonely and he wishes that he could have someone to talk to, but he tries to be busy by playing horseshoes and reading books. His actions show that he is extremely lonely, and that he occupies himself with little things to keep himself from suffering. Crook’s actions are significant because loneliness cause people to spend their time by themselves. In the novel Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck uses characterization of dialogue and actions to reveal that one can be surrounded by a group and still be lonely. The use of dialogue proves that the characters are lonely even though they are working closely together. Also, through the characterization of actions the author reveals that most of the men are lonely and that the men occupy themselves even though they are with a group of people. John Steinbeck’s theme applies to the entire would because it proves that loneliness affects everyone at one time or another. It changes the way a person thinks and behaves. When people feel lonely their actions and way of life are affected. Nobody can run away from loneliness even if they live with a group of people. It’s a trait that no one can get rid of.