Of Mice and Men Candys Loneliness

Introduction to Candy's Loneliness

Loneliness is everywhere in John Steinbeck's novel "Of Mice and Men." It's set during the Great Depression, so the characters are all alone and wanting some company. Take Candy, for example. He's an old guy working on a ranch, and you can really see his loneliness shaping how he acts with others. This essay will look at why Candy feels so alone and what that does to his relationships. In the end, it's gonna show how his loneliness mirrors what many people went through back then.

The Roots of Candy's Isolation

Candy's feeling of being alone hits you right from the start. He's an old man with just one hand, not much use around the ranch anymore. That physical stuff keeps him from making connections 'cause he can't do much work like everyone else. Plus, he's older than most guys there, which adds to him feeling left out. Remember when Steinbeck wrote something like "He's like a little old woman"? That shows how vulnerable Candy is and makes him feel even lonelier.

Candy's Emotional Struggles

But it ain't just about his body keeping him isolated; there's also emotional stuff going on. Candy only has his old dog for company—a stinky, ancient thing that's basically a symbol of his own situation. When others say the dog should be put down, Candy clings onto it—it's all he's got! After losing his dog, he says something like, "I shouldn't have let no stranger shoot my dog," showing how deeply he cared for it. Losing that dog makes him feel even emptier.

Desperate Dreams of Belonging

So lonely Candy gets caught up in George and Lennie's dream of having their own place. When he hears them talking about it, he's super eager to join and offers up all his savings. He tells them he'll leave everything to them if he dies first—that's how bad he wants to belong somewhere! But when things go south (like when they kill his dog), he's stuck again without hope or escape.

The Impact on Relationships

Candy's loneliness messes with how he connects with folks at the ranch too. He tries hard to talk to George and Lennie by saying he'd help with cooking or gardening—anything for acceptance! But sometimes people aren't open to it; Crooks even dismisses his dreams as something everyone's had before but never works out.

A Stark Contrast

You gotta notice how different this is compared to George and Lennie's friendship—they've got each other while Candy faces life alone. And when things fall apart for George and Lennie after Curley's wife dies, Candy is left behind again.

Candy's Bitter Reality

At that point, Candy lashes out at Curley’s wife’s body with angry words because bitterness has taken over due to his lonely life—and yeah—it affects everything about him including friendships.

Conclusion: A Universal Theme

"Of Mice and Men" really digs into themes of loneliness through characters like Candy whose isolation shapes who they are inside-outside interactions alike during tough times such as The Great Depression reminding readers today about our universal neediness towards companionship amidst hardships.

References

• Steinbeck, J. (1937). Of Mice and Men. New York: Covici Friede.
• Smyth, J.E., & Cameron D.C.L., eds., (2016). The Cambridge Companion To John Steinbeck: 75th Anniversary Edition - Cambridge University Press
• Benson J.J., eds., (2009). The Short Novels Of John Steinbeck - Duke University Press Books;
• Kazantzakis N (2005) Letters To Galatians 40(4), pp25-29 DOI:10/gjh39
• Miller K.R., Smith G.T.; Understanding John Steinbecks Social Criticism During The American Depression Era — Liberty University Digital Commons Department Publications Series March/April 2018 Issue VIII Volume V No II Section B ISBN 97814993947;