Isolation In John Steinbeck's 'Of Mice And Men'

Jada Burnette

Ms. Mann

Honors English

3 October 2022

Of Mice and Men Final Essay

Everyone struggled in some way or another during the Great Depression, it was the worst economic disaster in US History. During such a challenging time racism was still prevalent. African-Americans suffered immensely and were treated very poorly by others. The unemployment rate for African-Americans was double or triple that of white people and they did not receive as much help or financial aid. During such a dismal time having friends was crucial for one's mental stability, without friends life is depressing and lonely. A small book called “Of Mice and Men” highlights how important friendship is in order to survive. The two main characters George and Lennie were

In the novella “Of Mice and Men”' written by John Stienbeck, Steinbeck uses the characterization of two characters, Crooks a stablehand, and Candy another ranch worker, along with the internal conflicts that the two men experience to express the idea that isolation can have negative effects on people. These elements helped to add depth and substance to the novella. Steinbeck's characterization of Crooks lets his viewers understand him and his turmoil better. Crooks was a black stablehand who worked on a ranch in California. He had an old back injury from a horse kick that left him crippled and prevented him from ever leaving the ranch. Crooks was very lonely because he was isolated from everybody else due to the color of his skin. He was the only colored man around which left him without anyone to talk to because of how prevalent racism was, Steinbeck described him by saying, “...Crooks was a proud, aloof man. He kept his distance and demanded that other people keep theirs.” (Steinbeck, 67). Crooks was so used to being isolated from everyone else he became bitter toward people. The direct characterization and description of Crooks allows the readers to see the negative

Crooks as mentioned earlier has a very bitter mind and attitude toward people because of his constant isolation. In one interaction with Curley’s wife Crooks' broken spirit can easily be seen. As she was yelling at him, “Crooks stared helplessly at her, and then he sat down on his bunk and drew into himself…Crooks seemed to grow smaller, and he pressed himself against the wall… Crooks had reduced himself to nothing. There was no personality, no ego–nothing to arouse either like or dislike. He said, “Yes, ma’am,” and his voice was toneless”” (Steinbeck, 80 and 81). Crooks’ confidence and any sense of self worth he had completely disappeared into nothing as Curley’s wife threatened him. Lack of confidence in oneself is a huge internal conflict, it can be very damaging and have long lasting effects on a person. Crooks' lack of friends leaves him with no help, and the overwhelming negativity surrounding him does nothing to motivate him to try and make friends. Thus he is stuck in a ugly circle of lonely isolation. Candy also experiences internal conflicts. He struggles with self worth similar to Crooks. In Chapter 3 of the novella Candy’s dog and only companion was shot due to the fact that he was quite old and no longer considered valuable by the group. Candy was very distraught about the death of his only friend and said “You seen what they done to my dog tonight? They says he wasn’t no good to