The bunkhouse is the most important setting in this book because it is a symbol of the migrant workers loneliness and desire for freedom. An example of the bunkhouse symbolizing lonliness is in the beginning of section two. The bunkhouse is described as, “Over each bunk there was nailed an apple box with the opening forward so that it made two shelves for the personal belongings of the occupant of the bunk”(17). This is important because it means that everything that these men have can be stored on two shelves. This description of the bunkhouse suggests that every man is for himself because they can fit all of their personal belongings on one shelf, and then when they are done working here they can pack up their stuff and move on. When the migrant workers are referred to as “occupants”this exemplifies the loneliness of these men because these men are living in this bunkhouse temporarily and will soon be moving on to the next ranch. The men that work on this ranch simply come to work on the ranch and move on. “Inside, the walls were whitewashed and the floor unpainted.”(17) This quote is another example of the loneliness because it talks about how barren the bunkhouse appears. The definition of whitewashed is “deliberately attempt to conceal unpleasant facts about a person or organization.” I think that Steinbeck specifically chose this word because the bunkhouse is an unpleasant place to live and he never blatantly states this but, his word choice is very important to understanding the bunkhouse atmosphere. This is important because these men left their families and homes to come and work on these ranches, so they are already unhappy that they had to leave their homes; but now they are living in these bunkhouses that are devoid of life. “No, sir we’d have our own place where we belonged and not sleep in no bunkhouse.”(57) In this scene George is talking to Lennie about their dream to own their piece of land and not refer to anyone but themselves. This quote is important Throughout the book Lennie and George talk about being able to live on their own piece of land and live in their own house all by themselves. George uses the bunkhouse as a symbol of them not having to work on other people’s schedules after they get their own land but, being able to work when they want to. In conclusion this overbearing loneliness is a result of their lack of of freedom to make their to make their own decisions and work on their own schedule

Character Paragraph
The most important character in this book is Crook because he symbolizes the theme of companionship. “Sure you could play horseshoes till it got dark, but then you got to read books. Books ain’t no good. A guy needs somebody - to be near him.” He whined, “A guy goes nuts if he ain’t got nobody”(57). Throughout the book we see the theme of companionship, with Lennie and George's relationship and how everyone thinks that them traveling together is strange. Crook is an example of what happens when someone does not have sort of companionship in their life and becomes bitter and angry at life. In this scene Crook is talking to Lennie and it almost appears that his cynical outview on life is corrupting Lennie’s innocence and purity because Crook is teasing Lennie about George not coming back, I feel like Crook is teasing Lennie that George won’t come back because he is jealous over their caring relationship. Another example of Crook representing companionship is when Steinbeck describes Crooks personal possessions: “ And scattered about the floor were a number of personal possessions; for, being alone, Crooks could leave his things about”(65). This is important because Crook was segregated from the rest of the men he was able to have many more possession which also means it would be harder for Crook to pack up his things and leave the ranch. Crook is also an example of everyone having a dreams or hope. An example of Crook’s hope was when he was talking about his life with his brothers,