Being Alone: Novel “Of Mice and Men”

“Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty.” By Mother Teresa. Mother Teresa was saying in this quote that poverty at the time was nothing compared to being lonely and feeling unwanted.

In the novel Of Mice And Men three characters relate to these quotes and problems. George, Curley’s wife and Crooks have all lived lonely and isolated lives. George is the first character in the novel who is the least lonely and isolated. We know this because in the novel Of Mice And Men, George infers he could live a better life without Lennie. George talks about how he could have his own family without Lennie. George does not want Lennie to leave because they would be alone and apart from each other. George knew Lennie could not live on his own but George did not want Lennie as his responsibility anymore. After George killed Lennie, he could did not want to have a ranch like before because the dream was for George and Lennie. George tells Lennie “ ‘Cause I want you to stay with me” (13). In conclusion George was lonely when Lennie was around and when Lennie died.

A second character who leads a lonely and isolated life is Curley’s wife. Curley’s wife wonders why she can not talk to Lennie and she says she can not talk to anyone and that she is awfully lonely. Curley’s wife also says she does not like Curley and she was not happy. Curley’s wife was the only woman on the ranch and did not have anyone to talk to. Curley’s wife says to Lennie “ why can not I talk to you? I never get to talk to anybody. I get awful lonely” (86). In conclusion Curley’s wife was not happy in her marriage and she was the only woman in the area so she had no woman to relate to and talk to.

Finally Crooks is the character in the novel who suffers from lonliest the most. Crooks says he can not play cards or go in the bunk house because he is African American. That is why he stays in the barn. While talking to Lennie, Crooks talks about his family and how his dad had his own chicken ranch in another part of California. Because Crooks is an African American man Curley’s wife threatened his life when he tried to stand his ground. Curley’s wife says to Crooks “ well you keep your place then, nigger. I could get you strung up on a tree so easy it ain't even funny” (81). Ultimately Crooks was lonely because of his race in this time period that was a big thing, also he had no family round or to run too .

No matter the ending all three characters suffered loneliness. Such as George, Curley’s wife and Crooks. George was like family to Lennie and can not fulfil his dreams without Lennie. Curley’s wife was manipulative but had no other women around and no friends. Crooks was alone with no family around and no one wanted him in the bunk house because he was an African American. Sometimes in life some people may be lonely and isolated, that's another reason why we should be kind and accepting to one another .  

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