Loneliness and Isolation

Question 1

George

Answer 1

“Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world.”

Question 2

Crooks

Answer 2

“A guy needs somebody—to be near him.”

Question 3

Curley’s wife

Answer 3

“I never get to talk to nobody. I get awful lonely.”

Question 4

Crooks again, highlighting human connection.

Answer 4

“Books ain’t no good. A guy needs somebody.”

Question 5

Powerlessness in the face of isolation.

Answer 5

“Candy looked helplessly at Curley’s wife.”

Question 6

Crooks explains mental toll of loneliness.

Answer 6

“A guy goes nuts if he ain’t got nobody.”

Question 7

Curley’s wife expressing her loneliness.

Answer 7

“Think I don’t like to talk to somebody ever’ once in a while?”

Question 8

Curley’s wife to Crooks, revealing her own twisted power despite being isolated.

Answer 8

“I could get you strung up on a tree so easy it ain’t even funny.”

Question 9

Curley’s wife, talking to Crooks, Candy, and Lennie—shows shared marginalization.

Answer 9

“They left all the weak ones here.”