Loneliness Flashcards
Quanchidgeous lock in (7 cards)
“Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world.”
Analysis: George explains that isolation is the norm for migrant workers. This sets the emotional tone of the novel — that deep loneliness is the price of survival in 1930s America. Their friendship is rare, and George knows it.
“With us it ain’t like that. We got a future”
Analysis: George expresses how friendship protects them from the isolation that ruins other men. This also shows that loneliness isn’t just physical — it’s about emotional disconnection.
“I ain’t got no relatives nor nothing.”
Analysis: Candy is old and disabled, and his loneliness is worsened by his age. He’s scared of becoming useless and unwanted. This highlights how society discards people once they’re seen as unproductive.
“You seen what they done to my dog tonight?”
Analysis: The shooting of Candy’s dog is a powerful symbol of loneliness, old age, and disposability. Candy connects his fate with his dog’s — showing that loneliness can feel like a slow, living death.
“I get awful lonely… You can talk to people, but I can’t talk to nobody but Curley.”
Analysis: Even though she’s married, Curley’s wife is isolated — not by distance, but by gender and power. Her loneliness comes from being dismissed and misunderstood by the men.
“A guy needs somebody—to be near him. A guy goes nuts if he ain’t got nobody.”
Analysis: Crooks, isolated because of his race, is perhaps the loneliest character. His comment reflects the psychological toll of segregation, and how fundamental companionship is to human survival.
“S’pose you didn’t have nobody… A guy needs somebody to be near him.”
Analysis: The repetition here emphasises how desperate Crooks is. He’s bitter but also deeply hurt — Steinbeck shows how racism causes isolation, not just discrimination.
