The Solitaire Metaphor in John Steinbecks Of Mice and Men :: Steinbeck Of Mice and Men Essays

The Solitaire Metaphor in Of Mice and Men   In Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, George Milton is shown many times playing the game of Solitaire, a card game which requires moreover one man and a pack of playing cards. His companion, Lennie Small is never asked to play cards or other games because George knows in spades that Lennie is incapable of such a mental task. Although Lennie and George be companions, George has the idea of being solitaire to be no longer burdened by Lennies company. Solitaire, meaning alone, is a metaphor for the loneliness that many of the characters feel in the novel. John Steinbeck shows in Of Mice and Men, that all human beings are essentially alone.   I aint got no people. I seen the guys that go around on the ranches alone. That aint no good. They dont construct no fun. After a long time they get mean. They get wantin to fight all the time... Course Lennies a matinee idol damn nuisance most of the time, but you get used to go in around with a guy an you cant get rid of him (45). George proclaims his view on loneliness to pull up stakes a reason for his connection with Lennie. This connection George has with Lennie makes the two of them unique to the rest of the characters. Many of the men on the ranch have a dream, but only Lennie and George have a chance of obtaining it. Essentially, John Steinbeck wants to show that although George and Lennie have the advantage of being a team, they will never accomplish it because all human beings are in essence, alone. Thus, Georges constant playing of the game of solitaire foreshadows his eventual decision to become a solitary man.   John Steinbeck demonstrates loneliness of Crooks, the black handicap. He has a strong difference from the rest of the crew, as he must live in a separate room from the rest of the workers. He attempts to explain this to Lennie, Spose you didnt have nobody. Spose you couldnt go into the bunk house and play rummy cause y ou was black. Howd you like that? Spose you had to sit out here an read books.