On October 29, 1929, the United States experienced one of the greatest economical disasters that would officially begin the Great Depression. This was only one of the many events that would leave the United States in a state of economic disaster for years. The Dust Bowl was another disaster that caused many small farmers to go hungry and ultimately lose their farms. As a result people needed to find work no matter what sacrifice. Along the way feelings of loneliness began to affect many people’s lives. Author John Steinbeck’s novel Of Mice and Men describes the trials and tribulations experienced by migrant workers during the Great Depression. The Great Depression was directly related to loneliness and isolation resulting from the anguish and despair experienced by business men and migrant workers.

At the very beginning of the stock market crash, men saw their life’s work disappear before their eyes by the plummeting of their stocks then their savings and investments began to disappear. As a result, some men took their own lives because they felt as though they had no choice. Unable to support their families, they experienced depression that could not be relieved thus giving in to the despair associated with the time. Ironically some men jumped to their deaths which mirrored the fall of their stocks and earnings. Although many people were experiencing the same thing, some could not bear the anguish and despair and felt completely alone.

Steinbeck’s characters Lennie and George are perfect examples of how a migrant workers may have felt. George immediately takes on the role of protector because he knows that Lennie is unable to take care of himself and would be lost without George’s help. Taking on this role has caused George to suffer feelings of loneliness and isolation. Even though he is surrounded by others, he feels as though he is as lonely as a cloud. Floating along alone and isolated even though others are beside him. No one else knew what he was going through and the position he allowed himself to be in.


At the end of the novel, George is faced with the grueling task of protecting Lennie for the final time. Although he would often complain to himself that Lennie could be a burden at times, he struggled with the idea of not seeing him again. However, George had no choice but to save Lennie from Curley’s lynch mob and in this case the only way to do that was to kill Lennie. Ironically, as Lennie and George stood by the water’s edge, George once again, was probably one of the loneliest men around because he alone carried the burden of saving Lennie from the wrath of Curley.


The Great Depression brought aguish and despair to the generation of people living in the United States. Poor economic times led people to acts of desperation which greatly impacted those around them. Famous authors like John Steinbeck provided readers with an opportunity to follow two characters as they struggled to cope with hard times. In the end, loneliness and isolation remains the common theme throughout.