The novel Of Mice and Men by John Steinback deals with many themes that are reflective of the time period in which the novel was written. Loneliness is one of the many themes in this novel that are reflective of the time period in which the novel was written. It is shown in many of the characters in the novel. Loneliness is a theme in this novel that is reflective of the time period in which the novel was written. Loneliness haunts the characters in the novel Of Mice and Men.
Nearly everyone in this book is a loner, and all are suspicious of George and Lennie’s companionship. Loneliness is said to cause people to become mean and afraid of everyone else. This theme is relevant in the time period in which this novel was written, the Great Depression. To make money during the Great Depression many people had to travel around to work which did not allow companionship to develop because they always moved around to different places and lacked a true home.
Another cause of loneliness during the Great Depression is discrimination because of age, race, or sex. Loneliness is demonstrated in this novel by many of its characters. One character, Crooks has to live in an isolated shack next to the barn because he is black, his only companions are his books. He shows his loneliness when Lennie and Candy comes into his room and even if he says he does not want them in his room he cannot conceal his pleasure with anger.
Curly’s wife is another character that shows loneliness because she is stuck in the house often and alone. She shows loneliness when she pretends to look for Curly so she can talk to someone. She is resorted to doing this because Curly does not want her to talk to other men. Loneliness is one of the many themes in the novel Of Mice and Men by John Steinback. It is reflective of the Great Depression and is shown by many of the characters in this novel.