Of+Mice+and+Men+Essay

Loneliness is one of man's worst enemies. It can haunt us until we are driven into a crazy abyss. A wise man by the name of Eric Hoffer once stated, "It is loneliness that makes the loudest noise. This is true of men as of dogs." This statement shows that people are a lot of times accompanied by loneliness until they will do anything for attention. This is shown in John Steinbeck's novella, "Of Mice and Men," where people who lived back in the Great Depression were all living in loneiness.

First off, a character by the name of Candy is at first happy because he has the company of his dog, but after his dog is shot, Candy becomes very lonely. He realizes that if he doesn't find plands for his future, then he will be put on the county for welfare. "Just as soon as I can't swamp out no bunk houses they'll put me on the county," (pg. 60) explains Candy. This statement is very much true. In the book, Candy tries to hitch a ride along with George and Lennie. He does this not only to have a place to stay, but also to have company with him so then he won't be lonely. In the end, however, he doesn't end up with George and Lennie and he has to go on the county. Next, there is one character who is definately lonely due to the fact that Curley doesn't allow her to leace the house. This character is Curley's wife. Curley's wife is very lonely in the book since she is never alllowed to leace the house, and this is shown because whenever she gets a chance, she leaves the house to go talk to other people. Her loneliness has also made her grouchy. For example, in the book, she is talking to the stable buck when the stable buck asks her to leave his house. She responds, "I could get you strung up on a tree so easy it ain't even funny." (pg. 81) So, Curley's wife turns mean through loneliness.

Finally, my last example is Crooks, the stable buck. Crooks practically lives in loneliness. He is always so happy when anyone comes to talk to him. For example, in the story, Crooks says, "A guy needs sombody- to be near him. Don't matter no difference who the guy is, long's he's with you." This shows that Crooks is a very desperate man with the need for converstation.

In conclusion, loneliness truely is man's worst enemy. Loneliness can leave a man destroyed and needy. This is shown in the novella, "Of Mice and Men," and that all men need one thing. That one thing is company.