How does Steinbeck preset loneliness and isolation in the novella?

John Steinbeck’s novella, Of Mice and Men, explores various notions of loneliness and isolation,
making them prominent, text-long theme. Each character faces loneliness or isolation in a diverse
way. However, it is ultimately the setting and environment which proves to be the true cause of
seclusion in the novella.

Steinbeck presents loneliness through the terminal feelings of numerous characters in the novella.
This is demonstrated through an abstract form of loneliness in a friendship, and the literal form
where one has nobody beside him. The primary evidence of the abstract loneliness is George Milton,
who although has Lennie by his side, he “could get along so easy” if he “didn’t have [Lennie] on [his]
tail”. In doing this, Steinbeck creates a maturity gap between the protagonists, making it difficult for
them to relate with one another and therefore, George would still feel lonely, even with a
companion. Another facet of loneliness conveyed in the novella is through Candy, who is disabled
and only had his dog beside him, which was eventually killed. Following the death of his dog, Candy
is portrayed as miserable and forlorn as he had lost the only partner that stood by him. Here,
Steinbeck displays the literal form of loneliness, where one has nobody beside him, to evoke
empathy in his readers, who would now recognise the harsh reality of this novella where ultimately,
all characters face the feeling of loneliness.

Isolation is presented in the novella as a physical and social barrier that is placed on characters who
become restricted from many aspects of the world. This is typified through the marginalised
characters who weren’t give adequate respect due to the time period in which the novella is set. For
instance, Crooks is segregated from the other men on the ranch “cause [he’s] black”, and is given a
separate room to reside in. Here, Steinbeck depicts isolation as a physical restriction, from being able
to interact with other people and environment. Furthermore, Curley’s wife is not spoken to by the
other men in the ranch and is expected to “stick in [the] house alla time”, which then makes her feel
“awful lonely”. Here, Steinbeck instils a new perspective of isolation in his readership’s head, making
them realise that isolation can also restrict one socially, which can result in loneliness. Through this,
Steinbeck also elicits frustration in his readers at the setting, casting shade at the time period in
which the text is set.

The setting and environment in which the novella is set is the core example of isolation in the text.
Coupled with the loneliness and segregation of the characters, the environment also plays a
significant role in the cause of isolation, making it a story-long theme. This is foreshadowed from the
beginning when Whit holds on to the magazine that includes William Tenner, in hopes to one day
leave the ranch. Through the excitement of Whit fantasising over the world past the ranch, Steinbeck
evokes empathy in his readers as they would now anticipate a pleasurable ending to the novella.
However, in the finale of the book, no character is able to leave the ranch, causing everyone to
remain in isolation.

Steinbeck ultimately presents loneliness and isolation in the novella in various ways, evoking an
empathetic response from his viewership as the characters each fight their own struggles.