Why is the bunkhouse important in 'Of Mice and Men?

the bunkhouse reveals the futility of the ranch worker's lives, ''these shelves were loaded with talcum powder, razors and those western magazines men love to read and scoff at and secretly believe'', not only do we see they have no permanent possessions we also see the hope the have for a better existence.

Furthermore although the bunkhouse is where they sleep we realize it is not a home, ''inside the wall were whitewashed and the floor unpainted'' showing there is no personal touch to the room or care taken and that there living standards are poor.

Crooks is also not allowed in the bunkhouse an so to an extent we can see the bunkhouse as a 'microcosm' for the outside world where Black society were considered outsiders.

Furthermore it is a setting where important events happen such as Lennie and Curley's fight and repeatedly Curley's Wife is in the door way of the Bunkhouse symbolizing that she is also an outsider and how they feel safe in the bunkhouse as it as if she cannot taint them and neither can the outside world.