Of Mice and Men/ Loneliness

            To be lonely is to feel you have no one there, and to be unhappy being alone. The novel Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck is a story about being lonely and what affect is has on people and their lives. All the characters in this story are lonely in some way, the workers, the bosses son Curley, Curley's wife, all different but somehow linked together by their loneliness. They are all seeking the friendship of another because without friendship and someone to confide in a person will forever be lonely. Although there are many lonely characters through this story the loneliest of all is the African American stable buck Crooks. Crooks is lonely not by choice but because of the color of his skin.
             The characters in the story are all lonely in one way or another, the workers, all lonely from traveling around without anyone, going from town to town and never being able to put down roots. The bosses son, Curley, working all day out in the fields, being away from his wife, and when he is not working he is looking for his wife to be with her and keep her out of trouble. Curley's wife, alone all day, cooped up in her house, with not a single person to talk to other then her husband, and never being able to meet new people. And then there is Crooks, all day minding his own business, never speaking to anyone unless spoken to, having a room away from all the other workers, in the barn because he is not welcome in the bunkhouse with everyone else. Loneliness is not always a choice, but it is often forced upon people.
             All people seek friendship, because without friendship there would be no happiness by reason of, any meaningful relationship in life stems from an earlier friendship. The Characters in this story had no real friends, no one to really count on, therefore becoming a prime example of what loneliness over a long period of time can do to people. Without friendships the characters in this story sat around and waited for something to happen and when nothing did they would create something, sometimes it was all in good fun and sometimes is was hurtful.