Crooks is a bitter, cynical person, ‘being alone’ would not encourage him to be any other way. Similar to society Crooks is segregated from the ‘white’ ranch hands because he is a ‘negro.’ It is often a question in reader’s minds if this bitterness has come from him being a black man. Steinbeck’s description of Crook’s room makes the reader aware that Crooks is, ‘more permanent than the other men.’ This isn’t through choice, Crooks is aware of his status and knows that he will be unable to get work anywhere else; not only is he black but a ‘cripple’ as well. There
People on the farm discriminate against Lennie. First of all, George always wants to live alone. If he does so, his life will be easier. For example, George is Lennie’s best friend. They travel together, Lennie has trouble in Weed.
Of Mice and Men Quotes The Boss * Isolated by being the boss ‘not a labouring man’ this shows how he was above the ranch hands in authority and power but by being so is isolated from the others * The boss is symbolic of the racial discrimination present at that time ‘he give the stable buck hell…ya see the stable bucks a nigger’ this tells us how because of the ‘stable bucks’ colour the boss is more harsh towards him than the others. * The boss is a straight-to-business type of person. ‘You got your work slips?’ this shows that the boss is self-centred as he only cares for his business rather than the well-being of his workers. * The boss is suspicious and conscious of George and Lennie ‘Say-what you selling?’ this shows
It also makes him lock his heart that no one could enter and suspicious of people who try to make friends or get closer to him to protect himself from getting hurt by others. It is proven in the novella that he remembered his childhood when he played with the white kids, his father didn’t like that because he could get hurt and it might become a deeply hurt that never cure for Cooks when he grown up. Through three paragraphs, isolation, loneliness and word are three main causes that show discrimination against Crooks from people in the ranch. Racial discrimination still existed during the Great Depression, and it was presenting in the novella Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. He was very successfully to describe how society at that time treated people with different skin color through the character, Crooks.
Crooks is wary of being exploited even though he has not much to lose but it seems, like everyone else on the ranch, he is isolated by others and even himself because he is coloured. This links in with the 1930's america Great depression where people isolated each other. This also links in with the racism at the time where coloured people were thought as inferior to the white men. These two facts suggest it was difficult to live at those times
CROOKS Crooks, like Curley’s wife has no name. Crooks is merely a nick name and it appears that the novel does not mention the most inferior characters names. He appreciates Lennie’s company “I tell ya a guy gets too lonely, an’ he gets sick.” Crooks is happy to admit that he has no company and is isolated because of his colour, he also admits to have no dream as he is afraid of being disappointed. It seems lonely characters can talk to Lennie as he will not tell anyone. Crooks is used to being ignored and as a result of this he is very protective of his possessions “Ya got no right to come in my room!” The characters are rendered helpless by their isolation, and yet, even at their weakest, they seek to destroy those who are even weaker than
Lennie does not know his own strength, reacts to trouble when he is scared Idioms- “old lady” (p.53), “throw a litter” (p.58), “punk” (p.62), “cut off his wind” (p.63) Allusions- Luger, phonograph, fence picket, Golden Gloves Chapter 4- 66. Crooks was alone, living by himself and able to leave his personal possessions lying around 67. Loneliness- people kept their distance from Crooks because he was black 68. Loneliness- Lennie also quite alone in the world- only friend is George and tries to make friends with Crooks 69. Lennie- a genuinely nice person, has nice smile that tempted Crooks to let him in 69.
By giving good descriptions Steinbeck is able to make the reader feel sympathy for Crooks , Lennie, Candy and as they have to deal with prejudice. Crooks have to live in the stables by himself because he is a “nigger” and therefore not allowed to enjoy some qualities of life. Lennie is mentally slow so people treat him bad. When George and Lennie goes to the farm to get the job George has to cover for him because if the boss knows that he is mentally slow then they would not get a job. Candy has to deal with prejudice because he is old and he only has one hand.
The writer portrays him to be lonely through the quote “S’pose you couldn’t go into the bunk house and play rummy ‘cause you was black” as he is segregated from rest of the ranch men. The quote suggests that he can’t go to the bunk house and do activities that other men do. The author uses colloquial language in this quote to show that all the ranch men are equal, which is in contrast with racism faced by Crook’s, Through the word “you” the author is indirectly involving the readers so that they could understand Crook’s feelings. Steinbeck also shows loneliness in crooks life by describing his possessions and his room. The quote “ And scattered about the floor were a number of personal possessions; for, being alone, crooks could leave his things about...and he had accumulated more possession than he could carry on his back” signifies the fact that he was completely lonely.
When Steinbeck introduces him in the story, this is how the man’s relationships with other people is described: “[Crooks] kept his distance and demanded that other people keep theirs.” (67) Crooks’ loneliness is somewhat self-imposed because, as stated by Steinbeck, he pushes people away. He has decided that he would prefer being on his own to subjecting himself to being ridiculed due to his race and/or physical condition. Crooks has chosen his loneliness, but only because he fears it might be worse any other way. He is terrified of humiliation. Towards the middle of the book, there is a scene where Lennie invites himself into the black man’s room.