This is a critical essay about mice and men.

"Of Mice and Men" is a powerful and moving novel by John Steinbeck, telling of two men following their dream of independence in the midst of the Depression. The theme of Loneliness is particularly prominent in this novel and is demonstrated clearly by many aspects of writer's craft. The most noticeable of these are word choice, symbolism and tone. The setting of the novel is the first indication that the theme could be centered around …

…He also showed the downside of out casting people like Crooks and Candy, for race and age, because the loneliness they would be left with was cruel. With Curley's wife, Steinbeck showed just how hurtful loneliness can be by having her own loneliness result in her death. In conclusion I think the theme of loneliness was best portrayed through the characters as they reacted as the situation changed, and could express it to the reader.