Chapter four really hits on the theme of loneliness. Every character in describes some sort of loneliness. Those character are: Lennie, Crooks, Candy , and Curly's Wife or the "tart". This essay will give examples of each character's loneliness and what it has to do with the theme of loneliness.
First off is Crooks. Crooks is the stable buck, he is also black and since the story is back in the 1920's, racism is still a big factor in society. Crooks is the kind of person that keeps to himself because he believes that since he is black no white person would want anything to do him. Having this belief has kept him from talking to any white person and you sense his hostility when he is talking to Lennie at the beginning of chapter four. Crooks says "S'pose you couldn't go into the bunkhouse and play rummy `cause you was black. a guy goes nuts if he ain't got nobody". Crooks is talking about how years of near isolation have affected him. Crooks made no attempt to make friends, but the people on the ranch had a mutual agreement with Crooks. If they stayed away from him, then he would also keep out of their way. Crooks is basically keeping in the fact that he is actually thrilled that Lennie will talk to him regardless of race but just as a friend. Crooks" loneliness shows tribute to the theme of loneliness because it shows the detrimental effects that years of loneliness have on a person.
Lennie also has a part in chapter four that deals with loneliness. When George leaves to go to town with the other guys, he leaves Lennie all by himself which makes Lennie feel lonely. Lennie goes to the barn to find his pet and play with it, but when he asks Crooks he just sits down and talks with him, but then when Crooks starts talking about how George went to town and left Lennie all alone or what happens if George gets killed then Lennie will be lonely. Crooks is forcing his years of loneliness on Lennie, but when Lennie starts to get angry Crooks stops and realizes that Lennie is getting very angry.
Mother Teresa said, " Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty." In other words, Mother Teresa means loneliness is the worst thing that can happen to someone. Being lonely and having the feeling of being unwanted means being not loved. In the novel, Of Mice And ...