Every character suffers from loneliness. George and Lennie's friendship is exceptional — and ultimately tragic. Links to Crooks, Candy, Curley's wife.
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Watch first — Mrs Rumsey
Mrs Rumsey · Edexcel IGCSEAnalysis of Crooks from OMAM
Mrs Rumsey · Edexcel IGCSEAnalysis of Lennie from OMAM
Key analysis
⚡ 40-mark question structure: AO1 (20 marks) — knowledge, argument, personal response, critical style. AO4 (20 marks) — context (1930s Depression, migrant workers, racism, gender). Every paragraph needs BOTH: a point about the text AND a link to context. Closed book — you must know quotes.
George and Lennie — an exceptional friendship
Itinerant workers typically had no lasting relationships — George himself says "guys like us... don't belong no place"
Their friendship is repeatedly remarked upon as unusual: "We travel together" is remarkable on the ranch
George confesses to Slim that he used to be cruel to Lennie — but guilt turned to genuine affection
The friendship is symbiotic — Lennie gives George purpose; George gives Lennie safety
The tragedy: George must kill the person who gives his life meaning
"Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don't belong no place."
George
"A guy needs somebody — to be near him. A guy goes nuts if he ain't got nobody."
Crooks — the most isolated character
Characters defined by loneliness
Crooks — segregated by race, he is "proud and aloof". His loneliness is enforced by racism: "I ain't wanted in the bunkhouse". He has built walls to protect himself but craves connection.
Candy — his dog is shot, severing his last companionship. He desperately wants to join George and Lennie: "I'd make a will an' leave my share to you guys"
Curley's wife — isolated on the ranch, her husband controls her. She tells Lennie: "I never get to talk to nobody" — she is lonely despite being surrounded by men
Slim — seemingly content, yet mysterious and without revealed personal connections
Steinbeck's message and context
The itinerant lifestyle of 1930s America created a culture of loneliness
Workers were disposable — hired and fired with no loyalty from employers
The Great Depression forced men to move constantly, breaking family bonds
Steinbeck suggests that loneliness is a systemic condition — not personal failure
The farm dream is fundamentally about belonging and connection, not just money
Exam questions — 2 questions · 22 marks
1 markCrooks quote
What does Crooks mean when he says "A guy needs somebody — to be near him"?
A He is specifically talking about his need for a dog
B He is expressing the universal human need for companionship, made more poignant because his isolation is enforced by racism
C He is asking George if Lennie can visit him more often
D He is warning Lennie that without George he will get into trouble
20 marksLoneliness essayEdexcel IGCSE 4ET1 style
Discuss how Steinbeck presents the theme of loneliness in Of Mice and Men. You must consider the context of the novel in your answer. (Full 40-mark question — write 4+ paragraphs)
Hint: Plan: intro (loneliness is systemic) → George/Lennie friendship as exception → Crooks (racism + enforced isolation) → Curley's wife (gender + control) → Candy (companion, dog, dream) → conclusion (Steinbeck's message about 1930s America). Quote in every paragraph.