Of Mice, Men, and Loneliness Project 2 By: Adrian Plummer and Paul Jemmott

Definition of Loneliness Loneliness is an emotional state in which a person experiences a powerful feeling of emptiness and isolation. Loneliness is more than the feeling of wanting company or wanting to do something with another person. Loneliness is a feeling of being cut off, disconnected and alienated from other people. The lonely person may find it difficult or even impossible to have any form of meaningful human contact. Lonely people often experience a subjective sense of inner emptiness or hollowness, with feelings of separation or isolation from the world.

Thesis Statement on Loneliness Of Mice and Men Even though Lennie was never truly lonely, Loneliness happens to everybody in the story. because Everybody on the farm is alone and George killed Lennie eventually. “The best laid plans of mice and men go oft astray." - Robert Burns

Loneliness Throughout The Story Every character in the story exhibits loneliness. Curley's wife seeks the attention of the farm hands as a substitute for the lack of attention from the abusive Curley. Crooks keeps to himself because he believes that the white people want nothing to do with a Negro. Candy's only friend is his dog, and when his dog dies, he despairs. Each of the characters in the story is attracted to the plans of Lennie and George. As they fantasize about a future together, their loneliness subsides momentarily.

Analyzing George George has always been alone even though he has Lennie always following him. George had taken care of Lennie and had done his thinking and talking for him. He never had time for himself, but throughout the story he still stuck with Lennie because he knew he would never survive on his own. All of the trouble Lennie caused, George was there to bail him out.

George’s Choices In the end of the story George had a great decision to make. This internal conflict ripped George up inside, debating the "right" thing to do: Let Curly kill Lennie, his closest friend, Make Lennie run away to suffer more hardships on his own, Or… Kill Lennie himself. Either way George knew there dreams would never come true!

George’s Final Decision George decides to kill Lennie himself to save Lennie from a society that would never except him for who he his. He found Lennie and sat beside him, calming his nerves. When Lennie was persuaded everything was going to be all right he was at ease. That was when George pulled out a gun, aimed it at the back of Lennie's head and pulled the trigger. This decision was the hardest thing that George had to do in his life.

George’s decision ended up causing him to become one of the people he told Lennie that they weren’t. George ended up losing his best friend and his chances to live his dreams. It is unknown what happens after this event as the story ends with a flashback of Lennie and George together.

After the Story George has moved on by the end of the story. His many memories of a perfect life he is leaving behind. The law enforcement officers would probably be looking for him now. Without Lennie, George can probably find a job and keep it. He might even try and start a family for himself. George will perhaps never forget about the times he had with Lennie and the others on the farm, or their dreams.

Other predictions Candy, now without any real friends, is most likely still on the farm. His bargain with George and Lennie is now pointless as they both have moved on. Curley and the lynching mob have found Lennie’s body down b the river. Curley, still mad at Lennie might shot at his body in attempt to feel better about his wife’s death.

Curley’s Wife’s Killer Found Dead! Written by: Adrian Plummer After the gruesome killing of Curley’s wife (age 25), by breaking her neck. The suspect, Lennie Small (age 21) fled to the woods. According to accounts of workers on the farm Lennie was the only person whose whereabouts cannot be accounted for. The Soledad police found him dead with a gunshot in the back of the head. Who killed him is unclear. The only clue is the murder weapon a Luger pistol Curly found out Lennie had been killed he said “that murdering b*t*h killed my wife. I wish I got to him first an blast him to hell.”

Migrant worker Mysteriously Disappears! Written by Paul Jemmott From anonymous sources, the Police have found a suspect linked to the killing. George Milton, an old worker at the farm, strangely disappeared at the same time as the killing. It is known that he is actually the cousin of the killer, Lennie Small. It is possible that he was the one who shot Lennie. His motives are unknown at this point. The suspect has not been seen since the event and is believed to have skipped town. If he is found he may face charges, but they could be rejected for killing the murderer.

Conclusion To once again state, the story “Of Mice and Men” is accurate description of loneliness. Not one person in the end is left in peace with anything good to look forward to. This story took place in the Great Depression and has been expressed through the workers making little money and having no “real” home. Always traveling alone, and some to die alone.