Chapter 4 of the ‘Of Mice and Men’ novelette introduces a character named Crooks. Crooks isn’t shown as a chief character of the narrative. but is given much visible radiation in this chapter. Crooks is a black adult male set on a 1930’s spread. working as a stable vaulting horse. Steinbeck presents the Character of Crooks to us as he wouldn’t of been considered during the times of the ‘Great Depression’ and shows us the negative stereotypes of black people in an American 1930’s society.
Crooks is a minority character introduced in chapter 4. Page 66 reads “negro stable vaulting horse. ” Crooks’ character is introduced precisely the manner he would be seen by other ranch workers. Steinbeck’s purposes of showing Crooks for the first clip to us in this manner. is to give us the lineation of the black workers of 1930’s America. Steinbeck wanted us to immediately recognize the prejudice black people faced before we got to cognize his character. A white individual of the 1930’s would of proverb Crooks as a black worker and nil. Steinbeck chose to present Crooks’ character in the manner people so would of proverb him to the manner we continue to see him as we learn the extent of his character.
Steinbeck gives careful item of Crooks’ room. At the beginning of chapter 4. page 66 reads “a long box filled with straw. on which his covers were flung. ” Crooks’ bunk is described as an untidy and uncomfortable topographic point to rest. much similar to the animal’s with whom he portions the harness room with. The importance of Crooks’ room is to show the segregation of America in the 1930’s. As Crooks is a black adult male he isn’t allowed to kip in the bunk house with the white workers. In add-on. cipher considers Crooks’ disability. when go forthing him to populate in these inhumane conditions because he was a black adult male who they saw had no standing.
Crooks’ room suggests the agency of his life. The description of his room. on page 66 reads “which hung broken harness in procedure of being mended. ” This suggests that Crooks has no separation from his working life to his personal life. Associating back to the old point. segregation of the white work forces and the black work forces effects Crooks to stay in the harness room where he works. Therefore. his life revolves around the four walls of his room simply trading from his work to his remainder in an uncomfortable bed.
Crooks is presented to us an intelligent adult male despite his race. On page 67 of chapter 4. the description states “a mauled transcript of the California Civil Code 1905. ” This is proof that Crooks is able to read. which suggests his intelligence. but besides shows us he is cognizant of the rights he is entitled to as a black adult male. Furthermore. because Crooks knows his rights and standing. he understands that he is a minority among the ranch workers as he is the lone black worker.
Crooks is a alone character amongst the ranch workers. Nearer the beginning of the chapter. amongst Lennie’s entryway. on page 68 Crooks provinces “Don‘t come in a topographic point where you‘re non wanted. ” Crooks is shown being rough to Lennie. and seeking to force him off. This suggests that Crooks’ solitariness has caused him to no longer accept any kindness. whether its from a white or black adult male. However. because of the segregation between the black and white workers. Crooks seems to be speaking to himself instead than to Lennie. This is suggested by Crooks. already being cognizant of the favoritism he faces by being excluded from the bunk house with the white workers. he is ’not wanted’ by them which is precisely what he says to Lennie.
Crooks comes across as defensive towards Lennie being in his room. He states on page 68. “I got a right to hold a visible radiation. ” He is really speedy in his response to Lennie. Crooks does this because he is afraid of being hurt by anyone. keeping a barrier up towards the other workers who already discriminate him. He being the cultural minority. more than likely considers any remark to be a personal unfavorable judgment of a black man’s room. This is symbolic and he declares holding a visible radiation is a basic homo right he is entitled to.
Lennie being mentally much less able gives the ideal chance to assist exert some authorization in Crooks‘ life. Page 71 for case. “S’pose George don’t come back no more. ( … ) What’ll you do so? ” is terminative. By this phase of the chapter. there has been a power displacement. Crooks is to the full cognizant of the hurt this would do Lennie. as he would fight to pull off entirely. The terminative remarks are barbarous and are linked to his green-eyed monster of the company of George and Lennie. page 71 one quotes a “private victory” and even pleasance in some manner. Steinbeck is showing the bad run that solitariness is pulling from Crooks. as a minority character.
Bing in most ways isolated. Crooks has exhilaration and great wonder due to his despair for societal interaction. In chapter 4. page 69. he inquiries Lennie. “You travel around’ with George don’t ya? ” . Crooks is being shown as funny and nosey into Lennie’s relationship with George. However. this is proposing more into Crooks enjoyment into holding a conversation with person other than himself. by inquiring inquiries he keeps the interaction traveling because he isn’t used to holding company.
Crooks continues to conceal his exhilaration upon Candy‘s reaching. Page 74 of chapter 4 sees Candy‘s entryway to Crooks‘ room. “You can come in if you want. ” Crooks’ answer to Candy is less defensive than antecedently. as Lennie’s child-like kindness has created a Domino consequence. This is demoing him to be much more welcoming. which suggests he doesn’t desire to be obvious about his exhilaration. Crooks is at easiness as his barrier is broken down. and his exhilaration is buried whilst he still craves the conversation
Crooks is faced with racial bias from Curley’s married woman in chapter 4. For illustration. page 80 reads “Listen. Nigger ( … ) You know what I can make to you if you open your trap? ” Curley’s married woman brings problem to his door. believing she has the moral high land. power to play God in his life. Steinbeck’s purposes were to demo how being a ‘nigger’ is a human being portrayed as merely nil. holding no traits. or feelings. Crooks has no standing and is powerless as a minority. Any defense mechanism he may set frontward would non even be heard. because of the racial bias he faces.
As the narrative unfolds Crooks becomes really pessimistic in his mentality towards the American dreams of Ranch Workers. Chapter 4. page 73 Crooks provinces “They come. an‘ they quit an‘ they go on ; an‘ every darn one of ‘em’s got a small piece of land in his caput. ” Crooks’ positions are really pessimistic but besides realistic. as he has experienced dream after dream after dream that has failed. Steinbeck presents Crooks with misanthropic positions at this point of the chapter. which supports Crooks‘ understanding that loneliness thrusts you to insanity.
Crooks feels nostalgic about his childhood. Page 70 shows Crooks tell Lennie “The white childs come to play at our topographic point ( … ) some of them was reasonably nice. ” This suggests his nostalgic feelings. doing him vulnerable at this phase. Willingly unwraping such a personal memory helps with our apprehension of this character. he is wise and able to separate the fact that non all white people are racist. This is a contrasting point in the chapter. as we understand Crooks’ want for societal credence. because during his childhood he wasn’t exposed to the racial favoritism he faces at his present twenty-four hours.
Crooks needs a dream to give him trust during the great depression of the 1930’s. Page 73 of chapter 4 reads “Had a strawberry spot. Had an alfalfa spot. ” This shows us Crooks’ childhood of him already sing the land. which suggests Crooks’ apprehension of the freedom of the American dream lifestyle the ranch workers want. Furthermore. the usage of the perennial word ‘had’ suggests that Steinbeck has written George and Lennie’s dream in contrary through Crooks’ childhood.
Crooks character has a demand for company due to his solitariness. Page 73 of chapter 4 sees Crooks explicating to Lennie “If some cat was with me. he could state me I was asleep. an‘ so it would be all right. ” Crooks is seeking to stress the fact he has no reassurance when he has bad dreams or pessimistic ideas. This shows Crooks’ character brooding on how entirely he is without anyone to speak to or interact with.
Companionship creates assurance in Crooks’ character. Page 77 shows Crooks in defense mechanism to Curley’s Wife “We don’t want no problem. ” The usage of the word ’we’ shows Crooks holding assurance to support himself alongside Candy and Lennie. This shows that holding company makes Crooks’ character more confident. Furthermore. this suggests that after Crooks lets his barrier down to Candy and Lennie. and get downing to hold hope. Crooks could derive company by accomplishing the American dream.
In decision. Steinbeck’s character of Crooks is used to convey the effects of racial subjugation and solitariness for black people during 1930’s America. Using his state of affairs on the spread to give us a glance of society and the pragmatism. Steinbeck presents Crooks on a personal degree in chapter 4. He does this by allowing us see the racism and favoritism Crooks receives for being black. non so much disabled. after we get to cognize and understand the intelligence and extent of his character. Therefore. our emotions are heightened and we are led to experience sympathy for Crooks.
