how do the mindsets of the characters in of mice and men symbolize the great depression?

The Great Depression forced men to be away from families and loved ones. Their transient way of life was isolating and lonely. It exists as a silent backdrop to what forces these men to be alone and transient. Although the Great Depression was a factor in their lifestyle, it does not figure prominently in the story. The isolation, however, does. Lennie and George differ from most migrant workers in that they had each other. George felt some isolation as taking care of Lennie was like taking care of a child. George's vision of his dream farm, however, always included Lennie. Their saving grace for living this lifestyle was having each other.