Why does slienc play an important role in Of Mice and Men

The characters in the novel don't communicate with each
other. This leads to misunderstandings and ultimate tragedy. Silence, or at least
evasion, is prevalent. This causes the plot twists that occur. Silence about feelings is
what ultimately leads to Curley's death, which is a major event. Candy's silence about
how he much he loves his dog leads to his having to let it be
killed.

Curley's wife's inability to communicate with
Curley about her boredom and her lost dreams leads to her being so lonesome that she
flirts with other men, causing the tragedy of her death and what it meant to George and
Lennie.

The silence of the whole group about what happened
to Curley also had significant, but different, impact on all.