Loneliness and Alienation

Loneliness and Alienation

 "We are the loneliest guys in the world"
The trust that George and Lennie have is uncommon in the novella and indeed in 1930s America.

 "Maybe everybody in the whole damn world is scared of each other

 It is notable that Curley's wife dies because she seeks out human companionship>>> this shows how sick their society is. If you try and cure your loneliness you die. 

 Lennie also seeks out companionship and dies as a result and tragically because George and Lennie share such a faithful, loving friendship George ultimately must kill Lennie >>>>> therefore Steinbeck seems to wish to emphasise how in the end there is no hope for stable intimate relationships in the bleak world of the ranch.
In the novella, every single character is lonely. This is the norm.
This relates to Steinbeck's purpose in writing: EMOTIONAL DEPRIVATION OF THE COMMON RANCH WORKER. 

 'Soledad' >>> even the name of the place means loneliness. 

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