In terms of emotional stability, there is only one thing in life that is needs and that is friends. Without friends, people would suffer from loneliness and solitude. Loneliness leads to low self-esteem and deprivation. In the novel, Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck makes a descriptive theme of loneliness as it affects many characters on the ranch. The characters, Crooks, Candy, and Curley's wife all exhibit some form of loneliness.
Crooks is lonely because he is the only black man on the ranch. Since this book is set during the Depression, Jim Crow laws are still in effect, whites and blacks are to be separates in facilities of socializing and living. Crooks comments that he can't live in the bunkhouse and be able to play cards in there with the rest of the guys. " I can't play because I"m black. They say I stink."(75) The full extent of Crook's suffering is being show clearly, when Crooks lashes out at Lennie. "You got no right to come in my room Nobody got any right in here but me."(75) The character of Crook reflects the universal need for human connection as well as brutalizing effects of racial prejudice.
Curley's wife is very lonely, but she is lonely for different reasons. She the most anonymous character the ranch and perhaps the saddest person in the story. "Sure I gotta husban". You all seen him. Swell guy, ain't he? Spends all his time sayin" what he's gonna do to guys he don't like and he don't like nobody."(85) This quote shows Curley"wife displeasure with her husband. Therefore, she have to go look for other guys on the ranch. Curley's wife character in the book shows that she's very lonely, a individual that needs connection with another person.
Another character in the book that suffer from loneliness is Candy. Candy has a lot going against him. Not only is he old, but he is missing a hand. Throughout the books, he's worrying that he will be seen as being useless like his dog.