Of Mice and Men explores themes of loneliness, discrimination, and... Show more
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Jun 23, 2025
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Loneliness in 'Of Mice and Men': George, Lennie, and Candy's Dreams
Zuzanna <3
@zuzanna_018
Candy's Dream and Social Commentary
Candy's involvement in George and Lennie's dream of owning a farm serves as a powerful social commentary on the aspirations and realities of working-class Americans during the Great Depression.
Quote: "You know where's a place like that?"
Candy's eager question about the dream farm reveals the desperation for hope and a better life among workers of his generation. It also highlights how such dreams often seemed too perfect to be true in the harsh reality of 1930s America.
Highlight: Candy's dream and social commentary in the great depression era reflects the widespread desire for freedom, self-control, and escape from the oppressive conditions of the time.
Steinbeck uses the dream to illustrate how marginalized individuals like Candy longed to be valued and seen as equals in a judgmental society. The dream represents a utopia - a paradise too perfect to exist in the corrupted society they inhabit.
Definition: Utopia - an imagined place or state of things in which everything is perfect.
The ultimate failure of the dream, following the death of Curley's wife, serves as a stark reminder of the harsh realities faced by workers in 1930s America. It demonstrates how dreams were often seen as distractions from oppression and a futile search for happiness in a world that offered little hope.
Example: How is Candy's dream destroyed is shown through the chain of events leading to Curley's wife's death, which shatters the possibility of achieving their shared aspiration.
In conclusion, Steinbeck uses Candy's character to powerfully illustrate the discrimination and prejudice faced by elderly and disabled individuals in 1930s America. Through themes of loneliness, weakness, and unfulfilled dreams, the author paints a vivid picture of a hierarchical society where vulnerability was equated with insignificance and lack of human value.
Candy as a Reflection of 1930s American Society
John Steinbeck uses the character of Candy in Of Mice and Men to highlight various aspects of American society in the 1930s, particularly focusing on ageism and discrimination. Candy serves as a mirror to the social prejudices many faced based on age and disabilities during this era.
Quote: "Jus' as soon as I can't swamp out no bunk houses they'll put me on the county"
This quote from Candy encapsulates the fear and insecurity experienced by older workers during the Great Depression. It reflects the lack of social safety nets and the disposable nature of labor in that time.
Highlight: Loneliness in Of Mice and Men is exemplified through Candy's isolation from other ranch workers due to his age and disability.
Steinbeck portrays the weakness associated with old age in a society that valued physical strength and productivity. Candy's physical description, including his "round, stick-like, wrist," emphasizes his vulnerability in a harsh, competitive environment.
Example: The shooting of Candy's dog symbolizes the fate of the weak and vulnerable in 1930s American society, foreshadowing Candy's own potential future.
The author uses Candy to illustrate the loneliness experienced by itinerant ranch workers. The lack of empathy shown towards Candy, especially during the scene where his dog is shot, demonstrates the absence of sentimentality in a world where survival was paramount.
Vocabulary: Itinerant - traveling from place to place, especially to find work.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI companion is specifically built for the needs of students. Based on the millions of content pieces we have on the platform we can provide truly meaningful and relevant answers to students. But its not only about answers, the companion is even more about guiding students through their daily learning challenges, with personalised study plans, quizzes or content pieces in the chat and 100% personalisation based on the students skills and developments.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app in the Google Play Store and in the Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
You have the choice, we offer a 100% secure payment via PayPal or an Amazon gift card. There is no limit to how much you can earn.
Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user
Loneliness in 'Of Mice and Men': George, Lennie, and Candy's Dreams
Zuzanna <3
@zuzanna_018
Of Mice and Men explores themes of loneliness, discrimination, and the American Dream through the character of Candy, reflecting societal issues of 1930s America.
- Candy represents ageism and discrimination against the elderly and disabled
- His character highlights themes of loneliness,... Show more
Candy's Dream and Social Commentary
Candy's involvement in George and Lennie's dream of owning a farm serves as a powerful social commentary on the aspirations and realities of working-class Americans during the Great Depression.
Quote: "You know where's a place like that?"
Candy's eager question about the dream farm reveals the desperation for hope and a better life among workers of his generation. It also highlights how such dreams often seemed too perfect to be true in the harsh reality of 1930s America.
Highlight: Candy's dream and social commentary in the great depression era reflects the widespread desire for freedom, self-control, and escape from the oppressive conditions of the time.
Steinbeck uses the dream to illustrate how marginalized individuals like Candy longed to be valued and seen as equals in a judgmental society. The dream represents a utopia - a paradise too perfect to exist in the corrupted society they inhabit.
Definition: Utopia - an imagined place or state of things in which everything is perfect.
The ultimate failure of the dream, following the death of Curley's wife, serves as a stark reminder of the harsh realities faced by workers in 1930s America. It demonstrates how dreams were often seen as distractions from oppression and a futile search for happiness in a world that offered little hope.
Example: How is Candy's dream destroyed is shown through the chain of events leading to Curley's wife's death, which shatters the possibility of achieving their shared aspiration.
In conclusion, Steinbeck uses Candy's character to powerfully illustrate the discrimination and prejudice faced by elderly and disabled individuals in 1930s America. Through themes of loneliness, weakness, and unfulfilled dreams, the author paints a vivid picture of a hierarchical society where vulnerability was equated with insignificance and lack of human value.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Candy as a Reflection of 1930s American Society
John Steinbeck uses the character of Candy in Of Mice and Men to highlight various aspects of American society in the 1930s, particularly focusing on ageism and discrimination. Candy serves as a mirror to the social prejudices many faced based on age and disabilities during this era.
Quote: "Jus' as soon as I can't swamp out no bunk houses they'll put me on the county"
This quote from Candy encapsulates the fear and insecurity experienced by older workers during the Great Depression. It reflects the lack of social safety nets and the disposable nature of labor in that time.
Highlight: Loneliness in Of Mice and Men is exemplified through Candy's isolation from other ranch workers due to his age and disability.
Steinbeck portrays the weakness associated with old age in a society that valued physical strength and productivity. Candy's physical description, including his "round, stick-like, wrist," emphasizes his vulnerability in a harsh, competitive environment.
Example: The shooting of Candy's dog symbolizes the fate of the weak and vulnerable in 1930s American society, foreshadowing Candy's own potential future.
The author uses Candy to illustrate the loneliness experienced by itinerant ranch workers. The lack of empathy shown towards Candy, especially during the scene where his dog is shot, demonstrates the absence of sentimentality in a world where survival was paramount.
Vocabulary: Itinerant - traveling from place to place, especially to find work.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI companion is specifically built for the needs of students. Based on the millions of content pieces we have on the platform we can provide truly meaningful and relevant answers to students. But its not only about answers, the companion is even more about guiding students through their daily learning challenges, with personalised study plans, quizzes or content pieces in the chat and 100% personalisation based on the students skills and developments.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app in the Google Play Store and in the Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
You have the choice, we offer a 100% secure payment via PayPal or an Amazon gift card. There is no limit to how much you can earn.
Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user