Illustrate the theme of isolation in “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck Essay

In the novel â€Å"Of Mice and Men† which was set in the 1930’s I believe that John Steinbeck Illustrated loneliness and solitude in many places. The seclusion in those times was due to mainly discrimination and injustice. The life of a customary worker would be very difficult, therefore people worked for others on their farms. The wages were not proportional to the amount of labour and in addition the accommodation was barely habitable, this was unjust. The two focal characters George and Lennie have a sturdy bond and companionship. The other characters in the story are missing a true acquaintance and are envious of the two men. They have never before seen two men unite together like that before. All the other characters in the book are all abandoned and dejected apart from Slim. George and Lennie were wedged together through thick and thin, through good and bad and they knew they needed each other. This was revealed as George Said â€Å"Guys like us that live on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. † This meaning that if not for each other they would be like the others on the ranch, discontented and lonesome. The others on the ranch had recognised this, as their fellow workers said â€Å"Funny how you an’ him string together. † This had highlighted the unusualness of the situation and the migrant lifestyle of the 1930’s. While the whole ranch suffers from loneliness there are a few individual cases that are emphasised throughout the whole book. There are three main people in the book who suffer, Crooks, Candy and Curleys Wife. They all suffer injustice in the form of prejudice and discrimination. Candy was thought of as an outcast as he has no longer got the physical ability due to his age; and his physical disability does not help his cause. Candy had one true friend nevertheless, his dog. Once the dog was killed by Carlson, Candy was forced to seek friendship in another form. He knew that he was going to be given his marching orders shortly, as he said â€Å"they’ll call me purty soon. † While he was in the bunk house one day, he over heard George and Lennie talk about their lifelong dream. Candy decided to help George and Lennie accomplish their dreams. Candy had presented to facilitate in the form of money and manual labour. This was a move of desperation but worked as the two men accepted Candy’s offer. Candy basically tried to buy friendship, this does not always produce true friends. Crook’s a black man who faced isolation from the racist community. Crooks is not allowed to socially interact with others around him because of his colour which is similar to Lennie’s situation as Lennie was unable to interact with people due to his mental condition. Crook’s is restricted from doing customary things along side the white. He recognises how he has been treated and acts towards the white people who have affronted him how he himself is being treated. Crook’s is also an envious man. He is extremely resentful of George and Lennie’s tight friendship as Crook’s says to Lennie while in the barn together â€Å"well, s’pose, jus s’pose he don’t come back. What’ll you do then? † this was asked because Crook’s did not have any friends and did not know how it would feel to lose them unexpectedly. Knowing that Lennie was mentally ill, Crook’s decided to torture him because he wanted to ease some anger because he was discarded and unwanted by the others. Crook’s is so lonely and striving for a good life he will do anything to live peacefully.