Essay "Of Mice and Men"

In the novel Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck loneliness is a theme that plays out the entire novel affecting almost every character. Nearly all of the characters display a "handicap" some that aren't as obvious as others. Whether because of a physical or mental handicap, age, class, race, or gender, almost everyone finds themselves outside the structures of social power, and each suffers greatly as a result.
Lennie's handicap is quite obvious, Lennie is mentally challenged and doesn't understand things even though he tries so hard. Take for example his puppy he doesn't understand his own strength so he accidentally kills the dog. "You ain't so little as mice. I didn't bounce you hard.", he talks to the puppy questioning it on why it died. …