Loneliness
The story is set in Soledad which means ‘loneliness’ in Spanish
At that time, it was difficult to get jobs and support families so everyone had to look after themselves meaning they would be alone. George says ranch workers ‘got no family’
Working on a ranch is lonely - “guys like us that work on ranches are the loneliest guys in the world”
No permanent friends or family as they move on when work is over - e.g. they did not remember Bill from the magazine even though he left only three months ago - neglect for long term friendships and companions
Ranch workers play cards a lot - solitaire is a solitary game - sums up solitary lifestyle
Spend money at a whorehouse seeking attention from prostitutes and alcohol at Susy’s place
Every character has a sense of loneliness; Crooks - only black man on the ranch individual focus, suffer racism and abuse from others has to put up with job - wouldn’t get one anywhere else separated from other characters “had his bunk in the harness room”
Candy - dog taken away from him
-no other friends
-animals offer a temporary solution to being lonely
-unable to get a job anywhere else due to disability of wrist
Lennie - doesn’t understand others
-without George he is lost
-still worries about being alone and George leaving him
-saw light and sought Crooks for company
Curley -
-no siblings
-no mention of mother
-uses violence to make up for loneliness
-Steinbeck suggests even marriage doesn’t stop loneliness
Curley’s Wife -
-always looking for attention
-marginalised for being female
-only woman on the ranch
-no-one she could talk to apart from ranch workers, who didn’t like her
-neglected by her husband- only person she has to love and spend time with-no scenes with them together until she is dead-always “looking” for each other
-isolated from ideal world - wanted to be an actress
The theme of loneliness is emphasised throughout the book although Steinbeck offers no solution, it is not something anyone can change
Loneliness notes continued:
• ‘Soledad’ means loneliness in Spanish
• In opening chapter George and Lennie walk in single file ‘They had walked in single file, even in the open one stayed behind the other’- they walk on their own as opposed to side by side. Shows disconnection and that they are not linked in any way
• Crooks discriminated against because of race. Shown in isolation from ranch, lives in solitude & his house is separated from the ranch ‘a little shed that leaned off the wall of the barn’
• Curley’s wife marginalised- only woman, has no one to relate to. Curley doesn’t pay any attention to her so she is deprived of her needs. Seeks attention from ranchmen- shows how desperate she is ‘I never get to talk to nobody. I get awful lonely’
• Candy disregarded because of age. His only companion is his dog, who dies in chapter 3
• Candy gets excited to hear about George and Lennie’s dream ranch, willing to spend every penny to join in the dream & break intense loneliness ‘S’pose I went in with you guys. Tha’s three hunderd an’ fifty bucks I’d put in’
• Crooks teases Lennie about George leaving- Lennie worries about loneliness & scared George will leave him alone in the world ‘the doubt was too much for him “Do you think he will?”’
• Migrant farmers described as loneliest people in the world- constantly moving around with no time for family or friendships. ‘Guys like us that work on ranches are the loneliest guys in the world’
• George, having killed Lennie, is now forced to live life alone and without a confidant
• Lennie abandoned and left behind when other ranchmen go to Susy’s Place ‘Ever’body went into town. George says I gotta stay here an’ not get in no trouble’
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