Of Mice and Men: The Theme of Loneliness

In the novel "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck, loneliness tremendously affects the behaviors and thoughts of the characters. For example, the loneliness and isolation Crooks faces lead to his desperate attempts at making friends with Lennie. Crooks' actions show that a person needs somebody to be near him, no matter who this person is, to fill his loneliness.

Crooks is an African American who experiences loneliness and isolation in the ranch. First of all, Crooks' fascination to George and Lennie's friendship demonstrates his loneliness and solitude. As Crooks says hesitatingly, "... If you ... guys would want a hand to work for nothing-just his keep, why I'd come an' lend a hand. I ain't so crippled I can't work like a son-of-a-bitch if I want to." (76). Crooks shows that he can do everything to be with others. Crooks aspires to find a friendship by joining the dream of George and Lennie, to "live off the fatta the lan'" (14) with them. This is Crooks' desperate attempt to make friends and be with others in order to overcome the loneliness and isolation he faces in the ranch.

Moreover, the the jealousy and curiosity of George and Lennie's friendship lead to Crooks' desire to make friends with Lennie. Crooks expresses his loneliness and anguish to Lennie, "A guy goes nuts if he ain't got nobody. Don't make no difference who the guy is, long's he's with you. I tell ya a guy gets too lonely and he gets sick."(72). It shows that the extreme loneliness and isolation lead Crooks to a point that he feels mentally sick. He needs a friend to be near him desperately. All he wants to do is to be near someone in order to clear out his problems with loneliness.

Lastly, as an African American, Crooks is not allowed in the bunk house or play with other white ranchers in that racist period. As Crooks says miserably, "'Cause I'm black. They play cards in there, but I can't play because I'm Black. They say I stink. Well I tell you, you all of you stink to me!"(68). Crooks doesn't like the way he's treated, but he is totally helpless against the racial discrimination. He is forced to live in a stinking barn and is kept away from everybody. His loneliness and isolation are caused by the wide-spreading racial discrimination and prejudice during that time period. Clearly, Crooks is discriminated against and isolated from the others as a miserable outcast.

Evidently, the discrimination and isolation that Crooks faces lead to his extreme loneliness and solitude. Through this novel, Steinbeck illustrates the loneliness results from racial discrimination and prejudice in ranch life during that time period. He demonstrates that the extreme loneliness would eventually lead to people's desperate attempts at making friends. Loneliness, is human's major enemy that caused by discrimination and prejudice among humans. Only friendship can prevent humans from suffering from loneliness.

"Of Mice and Men." Steinbeck, John. Penguin Great Books.