Final answer:
In John Steinbeck's 'Of Mice and Men,' George describes ranch workers as often 'lonely and dispossessed,' reflecting the isolated and challenging nature of their lives in the American West.
Step-by-step explanation:
George, in John Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men," describes ranch workers as individuals who are often lonely and dispossessed. This characterization is reflective of the broader themes of isolation and the pursuit of the American Dream within the novel. Ranch workers, like the characters George and Lennie, aspire to a better life but often find themselves struggling with the harsh realities of itinerant work and limited social connections in the American West.
Ranchers and homesteaders lived in an insular society with sparse populations leading to a sense of individualism. Whether through farming, mining for gold, or cattle ranching, many settlers experienced a rugged, solitary lifestyle, where community ties were few and far between. This environment, as described by George, fosters not just physical but also emotional distance, contributing to the sense of being dispossessed that permeates the lives of these workers.