1. The Theme of Loneliness By Daniel and Jeffrey

2. Introduction The theme of loneliness is prominent in the book "Of Mice and Men" There are many characters who suffer from this, including: Lennie, Crooks, Candy and Curley's' wife.

3. Lennie Is mentally disabled Various times throughout the book, he is compared with animals. Could suggest that his status in society is similar to other animals. Rather childish Is very dependant on George "Make 'um let me alone, George" p.71 He won't do anything unless George tells him to. He is extremely protective of George "Ain't nobody to talk no hurt to George" Because of his disability, he is typically isolated by the other ranch members. Unaware of his power, which eventually led to his death. However, can be considered luckiest of the ostracized characters, since his disability allows him to be innocent like a child, and he has George to support him, while the other ostracized characters have noone to look up to.

4. Crooks Crooks is another character ostracized on the ranch, and represents loneliness. Crooks is the only African American on the farm and doesn't get half as many benefits as the other guys, simply because of his race. Crook’s is not his real name either, but got this name for his crooked back. His real name is never mentioned in the book. We witness Crooks’ loneliness in chapter four, when Lennie visits Crooks in his room. “Nobody got any other right to be in here but me” p.77. This tells the readers how anti-social Crooks is, as he is never used to interacting with other people on the ranch. And that Crooks knows his basic rights, and does not want any white men in his room. However Crooks becomes more welcoming with Lennie, “Come on in and set for a while” p.78. Crooks has been always longing for some sort of companionship, and realises he may be able to find that in Lennie, another character who represents loneliness in the novel. The readers immediately feel for Crooks, who has such a tough life because of his race. All this isolation is unfair and readers may be encouraged to make sure their are no "Crooks" around us.

5. Candy Is the oldest member of the ranch Demoted to ranch cleaner Always portrayed to be constantly worrying about his future on the ranch. "You seen what they done to my dog tonight? They says he wasn't no good to himself nor nobody else. When they can me here I wisht somebody'd shoot me. But they won't do nothing like that. I won't have no place to go, an' I can't get no more jobs." P.68 Candy's dog was just shot in the head, as the other guys on the ranch complained he was old, crippled and useless. Candy had no power to defend his dog and fears that the same will happen to him, as Candy is also old, crippled and may not be as useful as others. This symbolizes the old being pushed aside by the young, and weak being overcome by strong and foreshadows the events to come. The readers will sympathize for this character who is so helpless. "A guy on a ranch don’t never listen nor he don’t ast no question"P.27 This quote also shows Candy is lonely, and he doesn't have anyone to share his personal problems with.

6. Wife Actual name not known- her "name" is Curley's wife. Has an unhappy marriage with Curley. He probably uses her only for "fun" Her isolation led her to flirt with the other farm members, but only when Curley isn't around. She acts strong, but this is merely a façade. Inside, she is fairly weak "Her voice had a nasal, brittle voice" p.34 Her flirting, ironically, led to her death She is generally rejected around the farm, with only Lennie having feelings for her. "I never seen no piece of jailbait worse than her" p.36 When she is with the other ostracized characters, She bullies them, reminding Crooks about the limited power she has over him. "I could get you strung up on a tree so easy it ain't even funny" p.91 She, like the other farm members, has her own "American Dream", in her case, she wants to be an actress. "He says he was gonna put me in the movies" p.100 This was taken away from her when she married Curley. After her death, Curley hunts Lennie; not to avenge his wife, but to avenge his hand. This shows how little he cares for her.