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The theme of the American Dream is prominent in the novella, Of Mice and Men. Characters in the book strive to live a life of freedom in America so they don’t have to be migrant workers and can stay in one place and make their own money for themselves. Author John Steinbeck shows this by having all his characters talk about their own take on the American Dream. Some characters are idealistic, thinking about their life when they finally escape migrant work, and others are more accepting, knowing that they will not be able to find a new life. This can be seen in the words of Crooks, a black worker in the book. “‘You’re nuts.’ Crooks was scornful. ‘I seen hundreds of men come by on the road an’ that same damn thing in their head… an’ every damn one of ‘em’s got a little piece of land in his head. An’ never a God damn one of ‘em ever gets it (Steinbeck 74.)” Crooks believes nobody can achieve their dream because they are all lonely, so they spend their money on Susie’s place. This shows the struggle the people had back then with no company. Even if they get their dream they will still be alone, but George and Lennie have each other so they don’t need to worry about that.

The theme of the American Dream is present today in immigrants, thousands of people cross the border and leave their country in hopes of a better life. Most of the time the immigrants don’t bring much with them and have to work under minimum wage since they aren’t documented. Even though they all have the same dreams of freedom, very few of them actually achieve it. This relates to Of Mice and Men, when crooks was telling Lennie their dream of the rabbits is unrealistic and very few people actually achieve their dream.

The theme of the American Dream is also seen in current day media, such as in the series, One Piece. One Piece is based in the great pirate era and the government is very corrupt. Everyone is constantly traveling because everyone’s dream is to become the king of the pirates, so they can have freedom. The government is an oligarchy and the citizens have no word in what happens. This relates to the novella, Of Mice and Men because George and Lennie are migrant workers. They are constantly traveling in hopes of freedom and a better life, so they can be the boss instead of following someone else’s orders.

Works Cited:

https://crownschool.uchicago.edu/student-life/advocates-forum/workplace-discrimination-and-undocumented-first-generation-latinx#:~:text=There%20are%20thought%20to%20be,domestic%20work%2C%20and%20day%20labor.

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Racism is a big theme in Of Mice and Men. John Steinbeck creates a picture of the racism experienced by Crooks on the ranch. As the only black worker on the ranch, he is segregated from the others and is forced to live alone in the barn. Racism is shown when Curley's wife says, "Listen, N-," "You know what I can do to you if you open. your trap?" (Steinbeck 81). This quote highlights the racism that is portrayed. Even though she is a woman she is still white and has more privilege than a black man. Crooks is stuck in his room all day and can only come out to work. He rarely talks to anyone and is not allowed to go to town or Susy's place to hangout.

This illustrates racism is an important theme in Of Mice and Men. Crooks,who is the only black character, is treated so unfairly because of his race. He has to live alone in the barn and is not allowed to spend time with other workers.When Curley's wife threatens him, she reminds him that as a black man he has no power and could be hurt very easily. This shows how racism isolates people and makes them feel like they don't belong, like when Crooks asked to join Lennie and George he says he was just foolin. I remember when I first went to camp, I felt different and not like many of the other kids. The people in my bunk were all friends and I didnt know any of them. I had no friends yet. The way Crooks feels in this book is a relatable feeling of loneliness. Just like Crooks, I wanted to have a connection with people but didn’t know how to cross the bridge of it.

To add on to the theme of racism, it connects to people's daily mental and physical health. In the source Mental Health America they highlight that, “People of color and all those whose lives have been marginalized by those in power experience life differently from those whose lives have not been devalued. They experience overt racism and bigotry far too often, which leads to a mental health burden that is deeper than what others may face. Racism is a mental health issue because racism causes trauma. And trauma paints a direct line to mental illnesses, which need to be taken seriously.” This part of the reading summarizes how racism can lead to mental health issues that will affect people for the future. If people happen to get affected by racism they should seek help. Racism can cause many different traumas and serious damages to one person.  As Crooks explains, it could be very hard for someone to always be affected by racism as an only black worker on a ranch. To help someone and make their life better is something everyone should do.

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The ranch vs. influence.

In Of Mice and Men Steinbeck makes it evident through many characters in the book that they all are chasing after the American Dream. It is shown that many people come to work having hopes of accomplishing their American Dream which was mainly being able to have your own land.

In the novel, George and Lennie’s “American Dream” revolves around the idea of owning a small farm where they can live independently, free from mistreatment, not having to listen to every rule, and living without fear. They are trying to buy land with a house, chickens, and where Lennie can tend rabbits they dream to have. For George the dream is an escape from being poor and living in poverty. Showing his and Lennie’s lives as ranch workers. But for Lennie, the dream is a sense of comfort. He thinks about tending rabbits as a way for relief. In the book, George talks about the land. He says, “we’ll have a big vegetable patch and a rabbit hutch and chickens. And when it rains in the winter, we’ll just say the hell with goin’ to work, and we’ll build up a fire in the stove and set around it an’ listen to the rain comin’ down on the roof.” (Steinbeck 16) In this context George is telling this to Lennie to comfort him and keep him motivated to work. Both Lennie and George use this as motivation to keep working to achieve this.

This theme is a recurring issue in the present day for example many people in this generation have the urge to become an influencer. That’s their “American Dream.” Take a look at tik tok and youtube. There are hundreds of millions of people posting videos of themselves for other people to see, hoping that it will go viral and they can gain fame in order for them to become influencers. They can show who they are, build themself, and connect with people online. It’s about getting attention, having freedom, and making an impact just like the American Dream, but in the digital world. Most teens/kids have this dream today, “more than half of young people want to be influencers — 57%, to be exact.” According to CNBC, “Some “are very excited about the idea of celebrity, fame and money,” says Victoria Bachan, president of talent at influencer agency Whalar.” This shows the passion young people have, why they want to be an influencer, and how many of them do.

Work cited: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/09/14/more-than-half-of-gen-z-want-to-be-influencers-but-its-constant.html#:~:text=More%20than%20half%20of%20young,57%25%2C%20to%20be%20exact.

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A unique salvation

Alcohol is a main source of salvation for many workers in the novella, Of Mice and Men. Steinbeck creates a harsh atmosphere where life is hard. Each person has to take care  of themselves and survive on their own. The men try to earn money to achieve their own version of the “American Dream” yet this dream is not as easy as you would expect. The harsh environment can lead them to become more isolated and withdrawn from society. To cope with hardships, these men turn to other things to release pent up feelings. One of these outputs is alcohol. Steinbeck shows this through Curley’s wife. Curley’s wife gets caught up in a argument about achieving dreams and she reveals some useful information. She says,  “I seen too many you guys. If you had two bits in the worl’, why you’d be in gettin’ two shots of corn with it and suckin’ the bottom of the glass. I know you guys.” (Steinbeck, 79).

This theme connects to current events because the National Library of Medicine says alcohol use is the third most common lifestyle related cause of death in the United States. They state that alcohol can induce euphoria, relaxation, while reducing stress and anxiety. The reason these people are drinking so much alcohol can be because they want to escape from reality in a way or even cope with hardships like in the novella. Either way, this shows the relevance of alcohol through the times.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2730732/

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In Your Dreams…

The American Dream is without a doubt a very important theme, if not the main theme in Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. Steinbeck features this theme in many different ways throughout the novella. Readers can understand the mindset of ranch workers, such as George and Lennie. Their dream is to own their own plot of land, one where nobody can remove it from them, one where they can control what they do. However, others have had this dream, but never achieved it. They would be distracted from their goals, spending it on brothels and alcohol. An example of this can be seen in Chapter 4, where Crooks, who is very familiar with how the ranch worked and the people there, states this to Lennie, “Hundreds of them (previous ranch workers). They come, an' they quit an' go on; an' every damn one of 'em's got a little piece of land in his head. An' never a God damn one of 'em ever gets it. (Steinbeck 74). This shows that the American Dream is a very difficult thing to accomplish, as many have tried and failed.

Today, the American Dream ensures that your dreams can be attainable through hard work and have the motivation to achieve their goals. In the modern world, some believe in the American Dream, while others believe that it is an illusion and have given up on the idea of it. Personally, I believe that putting in the hard effort and the hard work will bring me places where I want to be. When I wanted to learn how to play volleyball, I had no skill whatsoever. I had doubts along the way, and would sometimes ask myself the question “Why are you putting in all this time and effort?” But I knew I wanted to learn this skill, and so after learning online, watching others and putting in the effort myself, I became more comfortable with playing the sport.  This makes it so that even the most challenging things in life can be conquered, just like how George and Lennie have the potential to fulfill their hopes and dreams, or end up like the rest of the ranch workers.

Works Cited: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/07/02/americans-are-split-over-the-state-of-the-american-dream/

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Mindset Heaven

One could argue that the dominant theme in the novella Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck is the American dream. Steinbeck indirectly shows this theme throughout the dialogue between characters, hinting at their long-term desires. One example of this is Lennie. Lennie’s viewpoint of the American dream consists of himself and George living on a ranch where he can tend the rabbits. In the novella, Lennie requests George to tell him their dream of living on their piece of land. George states, “‘O.K. Someday - we’re gonna get the jack together and we’re gonna have a little house and a couple of acres an’ a cow and some pigs and -‘ ‘An’ live off the fatta the lan’,’ Lennie shouted. ‘An’ have rabbits. Go on, George’” (Steinbeck, 16).  Steinbeck illustrates how Lennie’s excitation directly correlates with his dream of caring for rabbits. Rabbits are something Lennie cares about and in the context of the novella, the rabbits represent Lennie’s American dream of a better life where he can do what he wants without any judgment from anyone.

Something that represents my hopes and dreams is running. I first found this passion in 7th grade. I wanted to do a sport after school, but there wasn’t anything I was good at. So, I decided to try out track and field. That season was the worst season of my life. I won no races and I felt like quitting. I can infer that this is how Lennie, George, and many of the other characters in the novella feel. They are in a time of despair and hopelessness. However, the next year in 8th grade, I decided to try running again. I practiced every day, running at least 20 miles a week. That year I either won every race or set a personal record. This shows that with time and hard work, anything is achievable. Whether your goal is to become better at a skill or to own a piece of land.

An article published by Stanford titled, "Your Powerful, changeable mindset" highlights the difference between a fixed and growth mindset. It is explained that having a positive mindset has a direct effect on psychological behaviors and the outcomes of people's actions. We can see this in the novella as well! Crooks, the crippled African American stable buck, lives a sad life without any companionship, neglecting the idea of chasing the American dream and claiming it is impossible. Lennie and George on the other hand have hope and possess the mindset to accomplish their goals.

The American dream is attainable, but only through hard work, struggle, and a relentless determination to accomplish your goals. To this day, I struggle to find motivation to push myself and achieve my personal goals, but I know that if Lennie and George can have this mindset, so can I.

Works Cited: https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2021/09/mindsets-clearing-lens-life

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BeWell spoke to Dr. Jacob Towery, adjunct clinical instructor in the department of psychiatry, about how shifting your mindset can improve your health, decrease stress and help you overcome life’s challenges.

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Chasing the Feelings of Relief

By: Julia Zhang and Chuheng Lou

Escaping reality through unhealthy addictions is a prominent theme in John Steinbeck’s novella, Of Mice and Men. In the novella, many ranch workers have a dream of owning their own plot of land. One obstacle standing in their way is addiction. Due to loneliness, many workers turn to alcohol and brothels for comfort and relief. These costly dependencies burn through the wallets of these workers and prevent them from achieving their dreams. This is evident when George asks what the workers do on Saturday nights and Whit replies, “‘Jus' the usual thing. We go in to old Susy's place.’” (Steinbeck 53) This response from Whit demonstrates how frequently the ranch workers go to brothels. The consistency of their visits reveals that they are spending an abundance of money and preventing themselves from improving their lives. They are stuck in a constant state of poverty and toil due to their addictions. The effects of this spending is shown when Crooks says, “‘They come, an' they quit an' go on; an' every damn one of 'em's got a little piece of land in his head. An' never a God damn one of 'em  ever gets it. Just like heaven. Everybody wants a little piece of lan'. I read plenty of books out here. Nobody never gets to heaven, and nobody gets no land.’” (Steinbeck 75) Crooks has been on the ranch for longer than most other workers, his experience with this matter shows how common it is for ranch workers to get hung up over their addictions and spend all their saved money. This highlights the grave impact addictions can have on a person’s life as it can keep them trapped in a cycle of impoverishment.

The theme of escaping reality through unhealthy addictions is still a major issue today as it continues to impact different ages of people. Many people today have a dependency on alcohol, drugs, and cigarettes. Even teenagers face addiction and depend on outlets such as vapes for relief. Studies have shown that over 200 million people today have addictions to alcohol, drugs, and cigarettes, and over 1.5 million teenagers are addicted to vapes. One of the common causes of these addictions are stress and the weight of reality. In the article “The Connection Between Stress and Substance Abuse”, it states, “‘There is a strong link between stress and substance abuse.1 Everyone copes with stress in different ways, but some people may resort to using drugs or alcohol to manage their stress.1,2 Conversely, the impact of substance misuse on a person’s health, life, and relationships may cause excess stress” (Guarnotta) Another article titled, “Chronic Stress, Drug Use, and Vulnerability to Addiction”, also says that, “Stress is a well-known risk factor in the development of addiction and in addiction relapse vulnerability. A series of population-based and epidemiological studies have identified specific stressors and individual-level variables that are predictive of substance use and abuse.” (Sinha) This information relates back to the theme of escaping reality through unhealthy addictions in the novella, Of Mice and Men, as loneliness can be extremely stressful on a person. The lack of company and a social support group can make challenges harder to endure and cause obstacles to take a bigger emotional toll. During the Great Depression, financial troubles caused lonely ranch workers to spiral into despair and turn to alcohol and brothels to escape the troubles of reality.

Works Cited:

https://oxfordtreatment.com/substance-abuse/co-occurring-disorders/stress/

Guarnotta, Emily, PsyD. "Stress and Co-Occurring Disorders." Oxford Treatment Center, 18 Oct. 2024, www.oxfordtreatment.com/substance-abuse/co-occurring-disorders/stress/. Edited by Sarah Newman, reviewed by Ryan Kelley, NREMT.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2732004/

Sinha R. Chronic stress, drug use, and vulnerability to addiction. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2008 Oct;1141:105-30. doi: 10.1196/annals.1441.030. PMID: 18991954; PMCID: PMC2732004.

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The Illusion of the American Dream

In Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck illustrates the difficulties experienced by some individuals in achieving the American Dream. The Great Depression years saw George and Lennie dream of owning their own land, a means of escaping their hard lives. George consistently reassured Lennie of the future that awaited them, that they would indeed own their farm one day. George recognizes how interstitial that dream can be; he said, "Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world... with us it ain't like that. We got a future." While the two do have each other, the dream of a better life remains just that-a dream-because of poverty and hardship. This indicates how very difficult it is for people in their position to realize the American Dream.

Curley's wife is also trapped in her life. To Lennie, she says, "I coulda made something of myself. Maybe I will yet." This provides insight into her deep-seated regret over her life not having turned out quite according to her dreams foregone. Therefore, this character symbolizes many women who could not attain their goals simply because society had placed limitations on them. Her words demonstrate how, for women, the dream of success is often out of reach due to both gender and social barriers.

The American Dream assures that anyone can be successful if they work hard enough. But in Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck shows that this dream could frequently remain unattainable for those in difficult situations. This explains why this belief resonates with the present. An article published by Forbes remarks that issues like the racial wealth gap and unequal pay for women even compound the difficulty of achieving the American Dream today. It states: "The American Dream is now out of reach for many people because of rising costs, a racial wealth gap, and gender disparities in earnings." This is the same kind of situation George, Lennie, and Curley's wife live in. Their dreams of a greater life are denied by the hardships placed upon them.

Though the American Dream could often be an illusion, Of Mice and Men depicts that the dreams are further unreachable by people glutted down on poverty and other challenging circumstances. George, Lennie, and Curley were all affected by this and highlight just how hard it is to overcome the barriers that prevent many people from reaching their dreams.

Works Cited: The American Dream Is Unattainable For Many, According To Research

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The American Dream Is Unattainable For Many, According To Research

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The American Dream has become increasingly challenging and, for many, unattainable, as the cost to achieve it is now priced at $4.4 million over the course of a lifetime.

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A Temporary Escape

By Rachel You and Isabelle Chan

A prominent theme in Of Mice and Men is trying to find temporary escapes from conflicts. Steinbeck shows that during the Great Depression, many people struggled with problems negatively affecting their overall happiness. Steinbeck depicts how ranch workers struggle with problems like being lonely and having a lack of money. These problems lead to some ranch workers trying to find an escape from conflicts.

A specific example is of a place that these ranch workers go to is Susy’s place. The ranch workers go to Susy’s place to drink and relieve their stress. “Curley's wife laughed at him. “‘Baloney," she said. "I seen too many you guys. If you had two bits in the worl', why you'd be in gettin' two shots of corn with it and suckin' the bottom of the glass. I know you guys.”’ " (Steinbeck 79). Curley’s wife’s statement explains that if the men had the opportunity to go to Susy’s place they would take it and be out drinking like the rest of the ranch workers.

The theme of trying to find temporary escapes from conflicts connects to a very common conflict in today’s world as well. Although people still use alcohol as a temporary escape from conflicts, now some use drugs and substances as well. Furthermore, the article “Stress and Co-Occurring Disorders” states, “There is a strong link between stress and substance abuse.1 Everyone copes with stress in different ways, but some people may resort to using drugs or alcohol to manage their stress.1,2 Conversely, the impact of substance misuse on a person’s health, life, and relationships may cause excess stress”(Guarnotta). This relates back to the theme of trying to find temporary escapes from conflicts in Of Mice and Men, because when people are going through tough times, they resort to finding things that provide temporary escapes from reality like alcohol and drugs.

Works Cited:

Guarnotta, Emily, PsyD. "Stress and Co-Occurring Disorders." Oxford Treatment Center, 18 Oct. 2024, www.oxfordtreatment.com/substance-abuse/co-occurring-disorders/stress/. Edited by Sarah Newman, reviewed by Ryan Kelley, NREMT.

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From Depression to Wellness By Alexa Mermelstein

Power dynamics is one of the leading themes in Of Mice and Men. Steinbeck shows the theme throughout the book with the characters interacting with each other. A popular example of this is that George has full power and control over Lennie. As the two men have traveled together from the start, the power dynamic has been that George acts like a dad to Lennie. This is illustrated when Stienbeck states, “George lay back on the sand and crossed his hands under his head, and Lennie imitate him, raising his head to see whether he was doing it right. ‘God, you’re a lot of trouble,’ said George. ‘I could get along so easy and so nice if I didn’t have you on my tail. I could live so easy and maybe have a girl’" (Steinbeck 67). Since Lennie has mental disabilities, he is unable to live and work on his own, and needs George to be his guide. During the 1930s, mentally disabled were not allowed to work. They were put into insane asylums and were maltreated. This reminds me of how far our world has come in regard to providing more support and opportunities for those with disabilities.

Lennie's mental health disabilities during the Great Depression would not have been treated or solved. Presently today, doctors and scientists have researched more information on how to help people with mental health disorders and disabilities. The article Understanding Mental Health: A Historical Perspective from Different Time Periods states, ”In the past, mental health was often misunderstood and stigmatized, leading to detrimental consequences for individuals seeking help”.  This quote illustrates that mental health was not understood during the Great Depression leading people with mental health problems with harsh treatment and getting put in prison. Doctors thought people with disorders were getting diagnosed by it from natural causes. In the 20th century neurologists and psychiatrists understood mental health and created methods to help cure those people. This article shows the drastic change from the Great Depression from how mentally disordered people were getting treated to today when there are tons of resources to seek out for help and assistance.

Work cited: https://brainspallc.com/blog/understanding-mental-health-from-historical-perspective/#:~:text=Modern%20Era,asylums%20to%20community%2Dbased%20settings.

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From Depression to Wellness  By: Alexa Mermelstein

Power dynamics is one of the leading themes in Of Mice and Men. Steinbeck shows the theme throughout the book with the characters interacting with each other. A popular example of this is that George has full power and control over Lennie. As the two men have traveled together from the start, the power dynamic has been that George acts like a dad to Lennie. This is illustrated when Stienbeck states, “George lay back on the sand and crossed his hands under his head, and Lennie imitate him, raising his head to see whether he was doing it right. ‘God, you’re a lot of trouble,’ said George. ‘I could get along so easy and so nice if I didn’t have you on my tail. I could live so easy and maybe have a girl’" (Steinbeck 67). Since Lennie has mental disabilities, he is unable to live and work on his own, and needs George to be his guide. During the 1930s, mentally disabled were not allowed to work. They were put into insane asylums and were maltreated. This reminds me of how far our world has come in regard to providing more support and opportunities for those with disabilities.

Lennie's mental health disabilities during the Great Depression would not have been treated or solved. Presently today, doctors and scientists have researched more information on how to help people with mental health disorders and disabilities. The article Understanding Mental Health: A Historical Perspective from Different Time Periods states, ”In the past, mental health was often misunderstood and stigmatized, leading to detrimental consequences for individuals seeking help”.  This quote illustrates that mental health was not understood during the Great Depression leading people with mental health problems with harsh treatment and getting put in prison. Doctors thought people with disorders were getting diagnosed by it from natural causes. In the 20th century neurologists and psychiatrists understood mental health and created methods to help cure those people. This article shows the drastic change from the Great Depression from how mentally disordered people were getting treated to today when there are tons of resources to seek out for help and assistance.

Work cited: https://brainspallc.com/blog/understanding-mental-health-from-historical-perspective/#:~:text=Modern%20Era,asylums%20to%20community%2Dbased%20settings.

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Alone, Yet Aware

Segregation and loneliness are one of the most powerful themes in the book Of Mice and men. John Steinbeck highlights an image of segregation throughout his story with various characters on the ranch. One of the most dominant characters that illustrates isolation is Crooks. Crooks is shown to be powerless and segregated from other characters because of his dark skin color. He reveals his discrimination and forlornness when he states, “Well, I got a right to have a light. You go on get outta my room. I ain't wanted in the bunk house, and you ain't wanted in my room.” “Why ain't you wanted?” ‘Lennie asked.’ “‘Cause I'm black. They play cards in there, but I can't play because I'm black. They say I stink. Well, I tell you, you all of you stink to me.” (Steinbeck 69). This delineates how Crooks is treated differently from others and is not welcomed to others just because he is black, displaying that discrimination would greatly cause one’s loneliness.

Furthermore, the author, John Steinbeck uses several characters like Crooks to illustrate the major theme of segregation and loneliness in the book. Crooks’ segregation shows racial inequality during the Great Depression. This reflects to my own experiences when I also felt lonely. At a summer camp, I remember the first time I stepped into a busy classroom as an introvert. I felt lonely when I was isolated and had no friends to talk to at first. This moment reflects on Crooks’ situation with the similarity of Crooks being segregated in the barn and not having anyone to talk to because he was black.

Moreover, this theme of segregation and loneliness is also relevant to everyday events nowadays, such as when people sometimes suffer racism even in current days. I find it quite surprising how segregation is increasing to affect people in society. According to ‘Time Magazine,’ studies show that more than 80% of urban areas in the US were more segregated in 2019 than they were in 1990. Studies additionally reveal how segregation is still a major issue in the universities, specifically targeting asian race to achieve much higher grades and scores than other races to be able to enroll certain universities. With increasing segregation throughout current society, it is obvious that people would be forced to have various disadvantages and consequently make them to be lonely. Mirroring Crooks’ situation, segregation mentally cause people to be alone and suffer sadness throughout their lifetime.

Work Cited: https://time.com/6074243/segregation-america-increasing/

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The U.S. Is Increasingly Diverse, So Why Is Segregation Getting Worse?

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More than 80% of large metropolitan areas in the United States were more segregated in 2019 than in 1990, according to a new report.

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A subtle hardship

In ´Of Mice and Men´, Chapter 4, John Steinbeck uses dialogue to illustrate the theme of loneliness of Crooks, who is isolated due to racial segregation. Steinbeck expresses and portrays isolation experienced by many characters on the ranch. One of the most doleful examples is Crooks. Because of racial segregation, on the ranch he experiences isolation from the others and is coerced to live alone in the barn. From the novel, the story reveals how Crooks is alone in his room when Lennie enters. Crooks is initially hostile towards Lennie, but his loneliness is evident in his desire for company.

He describes his loneliness when he states, ¨S'pose you didn't have nobody. S´pose you could´t go into the bunkhouse and play rummy ´cause you were black How'd you like that?¨ (Steinbeck, 61). This illustrates Crooks loneliness and the isolation he feels due to racial segregation. He questions Lennie about how he would feel if he were in his position, emphasizing the pain of being alone and excluded. This reveals and symbolizes how isolation can emotionally wear down a person, it also demonstrates how Crooks perceives intense loneliness and has no company at the ranch.

In addition, Crooks’ loneliness is further emphasized when he expresses his desire to be part of George and Lennie’s dream of owning a farm and having companionship. This indicates Crooks´ experienced the racial inequality that existed during the Great Depression Era as well. Furthermore, another excerpt which shows the evidence of Crooks loneliness is, “I tell ya, I tell ya a guy gets too lonely an' he gets sick.¨ (Steinbeck, 72). This reveals how Crooks opens up to Lennie about how loneliness was always a part of him. This quote highlights the deep emotional feelings that Crooks' isolation developed for him. By sharing his feelings with Lennie, he underscores the detrimental effects of prolonged loneliness, which caused him to feel sick. This further illustrates the extent of his isolation and his yearning for companionship.

This theme also connects to current events, like the research looking at the effects of the pandemic on both social isolation and loneliness, and how lockdown periods may have disrupted social ties and feelings of loneliness that may have existed prior. According to uchealth the quote ¨The factor repeated by Dr. Walker, Dr. Rush, and Balilo that significantly affected how people think and talk about loneliness is the pandemic and political and social events.¨ This highlights how the lock down may affect people being more active on social media platforms can leave many people wondering why our own lives don’t feel more fulfilling. TWhich could lead to harming people’s mental health and causing people to feel depressed and isolated. Crooks states, ''A guy goes nuts if he ain't got nobody. It Doesn't make any difference who the guy is, long's he's with you. I tell ya, I tell ya a guy gets too lonely and he gets sick. '' This indicates that people who are often alone could experience emotional pain as well as losing a sense of connection and community, which could guide people towards the feeling of loneliness and isolation.

Works Cited:

https://www.uchealth.com/en/media-room/articles/the-loneliness-epidemic-escaping-post-pandemic-social-isolation

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Color Crash

In "Of Mice and Men," Crooks, a Black stable hand, embodies the pervasive racism of the Great Depression.  His isolation stems from both his physical disability and racial segregation, leading to prejudice and discrimination from other workers.  Steinbeck uses Crooks to expose the harsh realities of racial inequality and evoke empathy for the marginalized. Steinbeck states, “ Crooks stared hopelessly at her, and then he sat down on his bunk and drew into himself. She closed on him. "You know what I could do?" Crooks seemed to grow smaller, and he pressed? himself against the wall. "Yes, ma'am." "Well, you keep your place then, Ni-. I could get you strung up on a tree so easy it ain't even funny." This illustrates that Curley's wife's power over Crooks, despite her own marginalization, highlights the potent force of racism in "Of Mice and Men," demonstrating how racial prejudice elevates her status above his.

Furthermore, Crooks’ experiences serve as a powerful reminder of the profound racial injustices that permeated society during the Great Depression. This historical context highlights the systemic discrimination faced by communities and reveals ongoing issues of racism and inequality, showing that these challenges continue to affect individuals and communities today. An article states, “On April 16, a 16-year-old boy was shot and wounded by a homeowner after he went to the wrong home to pick up his siblings in Kansas City, Missouri, police said. Ralph Yarl was ‘shot twice and struck in the head and arm,’ his family's attorney said in a statement. Protestors took to the streets in Missouri following the incident, chanting ‘justice for Ralph’ and “Black lives matter.’ They carried signs reading, ‘Ringing a doorbell is not a crime’ and ‘The shooter should do the time.’” This emphasizes that the shooting of Ralph Yarl, a Black teenager who mistakenly went to the wrong address, raises concerns about racial bias influencing the homeowner's quick, violent reaction.  The incident evokes a history of racial violence and fuels anxieties about disparities in the justice system, prompting protests demanding accountability and highlighting the dangerous consequences of fearing Black individuals.

Works Cited:

https://www.pbs.org/articles/racism-in-america

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Racism

Racism is a prominent topic in this world, and in the book Of Mice and Men.  Steinbeck gives a vivid description of Crooks’ room and it shows how it is different from the bunkhouse. Steinbeck describes Crooks’ room as “On one side of the little room there was a square four-paned window, and on the other, a narrow plank door leading into the barn. Crooks' bunk was a long box filled with straw, on which his blankets were flung. On the wall by the window there were pegs on which hung broken harness in process of being mended; strips of new leather; and under the window itself a little bench for leatherworking tools, curved knives and needles and balls of linen thread, and a small hand riveter” (Steinbeck 67). This shows how different he was treated. He didn’t even have a proper bed to himself, he slept in a box which was filled with straw. Even though his room was so little he had his tools that he needed in the barn. Crooks’ didn’t even have a proper area for him to eat or have space to walk around his room. He was separated from the others because he is colored, even though he is a worker like everyone else he still has to sleep in the barn and is not treated the same like others.

Unfortunately, racism still exists today despite Jim Crow laws and slavery being abolished. An example of racism existing today is found in this statistic, “Based on the observed gaps, a typical Black worker in 2023 made about 12 percent less and was 2 percentage points less likely to be employed than a typical White worker of the same age, gender, education, and living in the same Census region.” (Council of Economic Advisers Whitehouse.gov) This shows even if a colored person is more qualified and capable than a white person there is a chance that the white person still might get the job over the colored person.

Works Cited:

Council of Economic Advisers. "Racial Discrimination in

Contemporary America." The White House, 3 July 2024,

www.whitehouse.gov/cea/written-materials/2024/07/03/racial-discrimination-in-contemporary-america/#:~:text=Evidence%20of%20Racial%20Bias%20in%20Employment&text=Based%20on%20the%20observed%20gaps,in%20the%20same%20Census%20region.

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A Silent Struggle

Loneliness is one of the most prominent themes in Of Mice and Men. Steinbeck paints a vivid picture of the isolation experienced by many characters on the ranch. One of the most heart-wrenching examples is Crooks. As the only black worker on the ranch, he is segregated from the others and is forced to live alone in the barn. He describes his loneliness when he says, "A guy goes nuts if he ain't got nobody. Don't make no difference who the guy is, long's he's with you. I tell ya," ‘he cried,’ "I tell ya a guy gets too lonely an' he gets sick." (Steinbeck 58). This quote highlights the human need for connection and how isolation can emotionally wear down a person.

Crooks' experience serves as a powerful reminder of the racial inequality that existed during the Great Depression Era as well. Despite this, his speech on loneliness also resonates with anyone who has ever felt excluded or alone. I remember when I first got to college, feeling completely out of place. My parents had just left, my roommate was out to eat with her family, and I had no friends yet. Crooks’ words took me back to being in my room with no one to talk to and the overwhelming feeling of loneliness. Just like Crooks, I craved connection but didn’t know how to bridge the gap.

In addition, this theme also connects to current events, like the ongoing discussions about mental health and how isolation, whether physical or emotional, can deeply affect people’s well being. I find it ironic how in a world where technology is supposed to connect people, it is doing the polar opposite. In fact, a recent study from 2021 conducted by AMA Journal of Ethics found that loneliness can both be caused and resulted from problematic internet use, showing a link between internet addiction and loneliness. The internet is a temporary fix to loneliness, as are the belongings in Crooks’ room (magazines, clocks and a gun). As Crooks states, it can become emotionally damaging for someone to spend an excessive amount of time alone. Interaction and connection is important for one’s mental health, physical health and overall well being.

Works Cited:

AMA J Ethics. 2023;25(11):E833-838. doi: 10.1001/amajethics.2023.833.