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How Does Steinbeck Present The Need For Companionship In Of Mice And Men

Decent Essays

As the Great Depression creates a sense of isolation and loneliness, two men seem to have it all figured out as they find their way through the vast land of California. During this time, men are forced into isolation and loneliness as they travel to find work, but George and Lennie represent the need for companionship as they have their whole lives planned together. In his writing, John Steinbeck uses character mannerisms, symbolism, and social injustice to show loneliness and the need for companionship in the novel, Of Mice and Men.

Through the use of the character's mannerisms, Steinbeck portrays loneliness and the need for companionship. The first way Steinbeck uses the character’s mannerisms is through isolation and sorrow. On page …show more content…

Age discrimination is demonstrated by Steinbeck when he uses social injustice. Candy is very fearful that he will get canned soon because of his age and has on hand so he asks George and Lennie if he can join their dream. (Steinbeck 60) Candy feels very isolated from the rest of the men because of his age and when he gets to be too old he will be thrown out. Gender inequality is another way Steinbeck uses social injustice to prove the need for companionship. Curley's wife pleads, "You can talk to people, but I can't talk to nobody but Curley." (Steinbeck 87) This demonstrates social injustice because we know now that Curley's wife just wants to talk to someone, but because of what everyone thinks of her she is forced into the realization of being lonely. Segregation is used by Steinbeck to demonstrate social injustice. When Candy is showing George around, he mentions the stable buck and how he is a different race, which indicates that he is separated from the others. (Steinbeck 20) This shows that Crooks is constantly segregated because of his race and he has to live alone where no one talks to him which allows him to become very isolated. Throughout the novel, Steinbeck uses social injustice to portray isolation and the need for

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