Loneliness

During the 1920’s and 1930’s, loneliness is a common theme in much of the literature and in many of the films set during this period. After World War One, many people found themselves with nothing to hold on to and with no one to go to. This was the period of the Great Depression. Loneliness is present in all kinds of people, rich and poor. Gatsby is rich and often surrounded by many people, yet …

…a tragic element. Gatsby’s loneliness drove him to become obsessive about his need for Daisy. This killed him in the end. Mayella’s loneliness drove her to seduce a man whose life she put at stake. May and Lennie were the tragic victims in the story of lost and lonely people on a ranch. Singer was the one whose capacity for empathy and compassion was extraordinary but whose cry for help was not heard.