Themes in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men Essay - 1123 Words

John Steinbeck, an American novelist, is well-known for his familiar themes of depression and loneliness. He uses these themes throughout a majority of his novels. These themes come from his childhood and growing up during the stock market crash. A reader can see his depiction of his childhood era. In Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck shows the prominent themes of loneliness, the need for relationships, and the loss of dreams in the 1930s through the novels’ character. Lennie Small, a mentally impaired man, is first introduced to us traveling with George. George, however, is not related to Lennie. Lennie travels with George because no one else understands him like he does. Lennie says, â€Å"Because†¦because I got you to look after me, and you got me†¦show more content†¦George Milton is a hard- working man who travels beside Lennie, yet he would rather travel by himself. He would not have to worry about anyone but himself. He travels with Lennie, and we often find him telling Lennie how much better off he could be without him. One simple reaction to Lennie sets George off on a rant enough to say, God amighty, if I was alone I could live so easy. I could go get a job an work, an no trouble. No mess at all, and when the end of the month come I could take my fifty bucks and go into town and get whatever I want. Why, I could stay in a cathouse all night. I could eat any place I want, hotel or any place, and order any damn thing I could think of. An I could do all that every damn month. Get a gallon of whisky, or set in a pool room and play cards or shoot pool†¦ An whatta I got †¦ I got you! You cant keep a job and you lose me ever job I get. Jus keep me shovin all over the country all the time. (Steinbeck 12) This is important because it shows that George wants to be alone but does not truly want to be lonely. Lennie is George’s responsibility. George views Lennie as a brother, friend, and partner in crime. Without Lennie, George is lonely but he knows that he saves Lennie from his own personal misery in the end. George knows he needs Lennie just as much as Lennie needs him. He needs his friendship and is lonely after he takes that friendship away from himself. After killing Lennie, there is a shift in George’s attitude. KillingShow MoreRelatedThemes In John Steinbecks Of Mice And Men1118 Words   |  5 PagesThe sun climbed up the sky, shining the fields a brilliant golden. The barley stalks waved majestically in the wind. A lush valley filled with green willows and shrubs lied past the fields. On the other side of the field, the ranch was overshadowed by the large and strong Gabilans. A herd of rabbits bounded through the valley, and sat on the fluffy grass, watching a la rge grey hulk stand lifelessly in the center of the field. 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