Candy in of Mice and Men: Loneliness and Lost Dreams

Candy's Loneliness

John Steinbeck's book Of Mice and Men dives deep into some tough stuff, like how hard things were during the Great Depression, the whole American Dream idea, and how lonely folks feel when they're kinda pushed to the side of society. Candy, an old ranch hand who's missing a hand and has this ancient dog, really brings all that out. Through him, we get a close-up of loneliness and shattered dreams in a world where hope is pretty scarce. So, let's dig into why Candy matters so much by looking at his need for companionship, what he wants from life, and how it all falls apart.

Candy’s Need for Companionship

Candy's loneliness is a big deal in the story. Being older than everyone else on the ranch doesn't help either. Plus, with only one hand, he can’t keep up with the hard work there. It's tough seeing how left out he feels when he talks to George and Lennie. He says something like, “I ain't much good with on'y one hand. I lost my hand right here on this ranch” (Steinbeck 59). This hits you hard 'cause it shows how he got hurt physically but also tells us about his emotional pain. The ranch should feel like home, but instead, it's just a reminder of all he's lost.

The Symbolism of Candy's Dog

Candy's longing for friends makes his situation even more heart-wrenching. When he hears George and Lennie chat about their dream of owning land, he's super thrilled. He offers up his savings to join them and says something like, “I'd make a will an' leave my share to you guys in case I kick off, 'cause I ain't got no relatives nor nothing” (Steinbeck 59). You see how desperate he is for connection—hoping this dream could give him some sense of belonging. But then, as things go south, those dreams crumble and leave him feeling even more isolated.

Now let’s talk about Candy’s old dog—a real symbol in the story. It shows just how brutal life was back then during the Great Depression. Carlson—the other ranch guy—says the dog's useless and they oughta put it down. Candy doesn't want to at first but gives in eventually; Carlson ends up shooting the dog. This whole sad ordeal mirrors Candy's powerlessness—it’s like losing his only buddy—and hints at what's gonna happen to him as well since he's not much use on the ranch anymore.

Conclusion

Wrapping it up: Candy’s tale in Of Mice and Men paints a bleak picture of loneliness and lost dreams. His relationships—or lack thereof—show us how important human connection is when times are tough. Steinbeck really highlights how fragile dreams can be while reminding us that everyone needs companionship no matter what era or place they're in! We’re left thinking about those struggles people faced during such trying times—and maybe even relate them back somehow today.

References

• Steinbeck, J. (1937). Of Mice and Men. Covici Friede Publishers.
• Benson, J.J., ed., (1990). The Short Novels of John Steinbeck: Critical Essays with a Checklist to Steinbeck Criticism.Duke University Press.
• Pizer, D., & Otis P., (2008). The Cambridge Companion to John Steinbeck.Cambridge University Press.
• Meyer S.S., (1975). Understanding Literature: Of Mice And Men by John Steinbeck.Barron's Educational Series Inc.
• Shillinglaw S., (2013). On Reading John Steinbeck.Penguin Classics.