Loneliness + Friendship

• Steinbeck presents loneliness as a central theme in Of Mice and Men, and almost every character is affected by loneliness in one way or another.
• George

  George confides in Slim that he has “got no people of his own” (George, Section 3) and that he has gotten “used to goin’ around with” (George, Section 2) Lennie.
• George

  George recognises the importance of his relationship with Lennie, and he also seems to fear the idea of being alone. He is very aware that “guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world.”(George, Section 1).
• Lennie

  Through George’s repetition of the same story, Lennie has also been able to learn that his relationship with George is what sets them apart from other ranch workers: “I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you.” (Lennie, Section 1).
• Lennie's Dependency 

  Although both George and Lennie clearly benefit from their relationship, it is Lennie who depends on George for survival. It is mentioned several times throughout the novel that Lennie would not be able to survive alone: “How'd you eat? You ain't got sense enough to find nothing to eat.” (George, Section 1).
• Crooks

  Crooks has lived most of his life alone. He has faced racist abuse and isolation and, as a result, has become bitter.
• Crooks' Bitterness

  Crooks' bitterness is seen when he spitefully taunts Lennie, trying to make him believe that George would abandon him and leave him alone: “S'pose George don't come back no more. S'pose he took a powder and just ain't coming back. What'll you do then?” (Crooks, Section 4).
• Curley's Wife

  Curley’s wife suffers from loneliness and isolation. Her husband, who she doesn’t like anyway, mostly ignores her, and the men avoid talking to her for fear of getting into trouble.
• Curley's Wife

  Curley's wife confides in Lennie when she says, “I get lonely” (Section 5), and perhaps this loneliness helps us to understand some of the spiteful things she says to Crooks.
• Candy

  Candy relies on his dog for companionship and to stop him from feeling lonely. Candy and his dog have been companions for a very long time, suggesting they have a strong connection: “I had him so long. Had him since he was a pup.” (Candy, Section 3).
• Candy

  When Candy’s dog is killed, Candy is reminded that his days are also numbered because he is no longer useful: “They'll can me purty soon. Jus' as soon as I can't swamp out no bunkhouses they'll put me on the county.” (Candy, Section 3).