Of+Mice+and+Men

In the story 'Of Mice and Men' by John Steinbeck, lonliness plays a major characteristic throughout the plot. "It is true lonliness that makes the loudest noise. This is true of men, as of dogs." This quote by Eric Hoffer articulates how the lonliest ones are the ones who talk the most In this book, the characters who talk the most are Crooks, Curley's Wife, and Candy. This reveals how lonely they truley are.

Crooks, an African American working on the ranch is usually always seperated from all the white men. He has his own bunkhouse away from the others and spends a majority of his time reading books since he never has anyone to talk to. One night Lennie decides to walk into Crooks' bunkhouse. Crooks was shocked as in the book he states, "Guys don't come into a colored mans room much." (71) Althought all Lennie can talk about are rabbits, Crooks was so desperate for someone to vent to, he doesn't care that Lennie isn't listening to a word he says. Crooks was just happy to have him as company.

Another character, Curlys wife, expresses her lonliness when she says, "I get lonely. You can talk to people, but I can't talk to nobody but Curley. Else he gets mad. How'd you like not to talk to anybody." (87) In these string of words, it clearly shows evidence on why she constantly goes on the ranch to talk to someone other than Curley. When she talks to Lennie, all he does is change the subject to rabbits as well, but curleys wife doesn't mind as long as she has someone else to talk and listen to her rather than Curley.

Lastly, Curley is by far the most loneliest of all the characters in the book. When all the roommates consider shooting the old smelly dog of his, he objects to this. Candy's dog was his best friend and only family member. He was so overtaken by the situation, that he didn't have the courage to shoot the beloved dog himself. After the other guys on the ranch shot his dog, Candy acknowledged to George, " I ought to of shot that dog myself, George. I shouldn't ought to of let no stranger shoot my dog." (61) This showcases Candy's love and compassion for the dog and regrets not doing it himself. After the dog is gone, he turns to George and Lennie to offer him companionship.

In conclusion, lonliness plays a huge role in the story and in the lives of many characters. Ironically, Lennie who is the most mentally disabled provides the companion for the lonely people on the ranch, Lonliness is a major cause for what happens on the ranch, the lonliest people talk the most.