Gianna Zaccheo
5th period
11/12/15
Of Mice and Men Essay
John Steinbeck writes about emotions and the power they have in controlling humans. It is through emotions that characters develop and stories unfold. In his novel, Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck shows the importance of friendship and the destructiveness of loneliness.
Friendship is a bond that cannot be bought, it has to be given, and Lennie and George give theirs willingly and are there for each other no matter the circumstance. To illustrate, Lennie says, “But I wouldn’t eat none George. I’d leave it all for you. You could cover your beans with it and I wouldn’t touch none of it.” (p.12) Lennie is giving up his ketchup for George, even though he loves it, because he wants George to be happy. He is sacrificing what he loves to show George he cares. In addition, Lennie says, “…because I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you…” (p.14) George and Lennie have each other’s backs and if anything happened to one of them, the other would be there. The two men care for one another because they are all the other has ever known and all the other has ever had. Sacrifice and support are two factors that enhance friendship and show how important having a companion is.
With the happiness of friendship comes the agony of loneliness and a roadmap to self destruction if people do not know how to communicate. For example, Curly’s wife says, “Aint I got a right to talk to nobody?” (p. 87) She is lonely and in quest of a friend, but is always unsuccessful because her actions convey an improper, tasteless person. When she finally finds one in Lennie, her lonely life is taken from her. In addition, Crooks says, “S’pose you didn’t have nobody… a guy goes nuts if he ain’t got nobody.” (p.72) Being alone can drive a person crazy because they get caught up in their thoughts and can not escape. If a person does not have anyone to talk to, it is only a matter of time before their isolation and lack of communication permanently affects them. Loneliness is destructive and it is essentially a leading factor that generates emotio...
