In the novella Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck, explores the theme of loneliness. Loneliness is something everyone feels and through human relationships we can overcome loneliness. How do human relationships help us develop? When George says, “No look! I was jus’ foolin’, Lennie. ‘Cause I want you to stay with me” (pg.13 Steinbeck), he is trying to express that he’d rather be with Lennie because otherwise he would be lonely. In the Great Depression it was a lonely time and George and Lennie were lucky to have each other because they had happiness and friendship. Which kept both of them intact. Without George Lennie would be hopeless, George has literally made Lennie develop as a human being, to understand certain things, to somewhat behave himself: “O.K. Someday we’re gonna get the jack together and we’re gonna have a little house and a couple of acres an’ a cow and some pigs an’ ‘An’ live off the fatta of the lan”’ (pg. 14). Lennie and George always tell each other about their “American dream” about how they’re going to own land, have animals, their own home. They have a goal, if they reach it, or if they don’t, it doesn’t really matter because its what keeps them going everyday. In the end relationships help us take care of each other in every way.