The Presentation Of Crooks In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men
In the novel ‘Of Mice and Men’, Steinbeck introduces us to a character named ‘Crooks’. He is not shown as a main character of the story, but is given much light in section 4, especially in this extract. Steinceck presents the character of Crooks in order to represent the racial attitudes towards black people at the time of the Great Depression and to show us the negative stereotypes of black people in an American society in the 1930s.
At the beginning of Chapter 4, Steinbeck gives careful detail of Crooks’ room when he writes, “a long box filled with straw, on which his blankets were flung”. Crooks’ bunk is described as an untidy and uncomfortable place to rest, much similar to the animals’ with whom he shares the harness room with. The importance
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The marginalisation of black people at the time in America is not the only cause of Crooks’ loneliness, however. The harsh verb “demanded” suggests that he tried to ignore the segregation against him by pretending that it was him who wished not to mix with the white ranch workers, rather than the opposite. Nearer the beginning of the chapter, amongst Lennie’s entrance, Crooks also says “Don‘t come in a place where you‘re not wanted.” Crooks is shown to be harsh to Lennie, and trying to push him away. This suggests that Crooks’ loneliness has caused him to no longer accept any kindness, whether it is from a white or black man. However, because of the segregation between the black and white workers, Crooks seems to be talking to himself rather than to Lennie. This is suggested by Crooks, already being aware of the discrimination he faces by being excluded from the bunk house with the white workers, he is ’not wanted’ by them which is exactly what he says to Lennie.
In conclusion, Steinbeck’s character of Crooks is used to convey the effects of racial oppression and loneliness for black people during 1930’s America. Using his situation on the ranch to give us a glimpse of society and the realism. Steinbeck presents Crooks on a personal level
How Does Steinbeck Present Crooks In Of Mice And Men
489 Words | 2 PagesCrooks is isolated because he’s a black man that has a crooked back and that doesn’t have that much rights so he will spend most of his time in the bunkhouse reading books. Steinbeck used crooks in this story because so they can show that African Americans are lonely.
How Does Crooks Suffer The Most In Of Mice And Men
764 Words | 4 PagesHis room in the barn is described to portray a dark, bitter feel. Separate from the men’s bunkhouse, he works and lives in the barn’s stables in the presence of the horses. At the beginning of chapter four, Steinbeck describes Crooks’ room as a bunk filled with straw, with exposed parts of the room that are old and broken. His personal belongings are scattered on the untidy floor, creating a careless atmosphere (66). Although he gets to live alone in peace, his peace has turned into the most uncomfortable solitude that has had a heavy weight on him.
Archetypes In Of Mice And Men
598 Words | 3 PagesSteinbeck uses the historical setting of the Great Depression to help characterize Crooks as hopeless. First, the disdain with which the other men show towards Crooks. When George and Lennie first arrive at the ranch Candy introduces Crooks by saying, “Ya see the stable buck’s a ni***r” (Steinbeck 20). Crooks is generally referred to only as the n-word, as seen in this quote.
Outcast In Of Mice And Men
663 Words | 3 Pagesadding to that, Crooks didn't have any friends. Moreover, Crooks had no friends, no one to play with, Crooks did his work around the farm and once he was finished he would go back into his room, racism was towards him since he was the only black person at the Bunk. In addition, Lennie and Crooks become friends, when most of the guys were out to town, Lennie went into crooks is room uninvited, Crooks thought about kicking him out but the didn’t because he hadn't had any company for a long time now(). Crooks is lonely and he is the only black men at the Bunkhouse he is totally an
Loneliness And Isolation In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men
880 Words | 4 PagesSteinbeck displays through the dialogue and characterizations that these characters experience isolation because of both social barriers and personal choice. Crooks being an African-American on the ranch, full of whites, struggles racially which causes his withdrawal from the society. Crooks explains to Lennie his when he’s accompanied by him “ A guy goes nuts if he ain 't got nobody. Don 't make no difference who the guy is long’s
Idealism In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men
400 Words | 2 PagesContrasting Crooks’ somber attitude with Lennie's undying innocence makes it clear where Steinbeck stands on the matter. For example, Crooks is temporarily seduced by the idea of Lennie and George’s farm, but is almost immediately brought down by reality, and Curley’s wife. She brings him back to the reality of a black man at the time, saying: "Well, you keep your place then, Nigger. I could get you strung up on a tree so easy it ain't even funny" (39). After this event occurs, Crooks disregards his rare idealism, saying that he “wouldn’ want to go no place like that” (41).
Examples Of Crooks Marginalized In Of Mice And Men
877 Words | 4 PagesIn the novel Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck, two men named Geroge Milton and Lennie Small travel to places looking for a job with the dream of owning land someday. They get a job on a ranch in Soledad, California, during the Great Depression. On the ranch, they meet many different people. One of the people they meet on the ranch is Crooks. Crooks is a stable buck who is separated from everyone else due to his race.
How Does Steinbeck Present Crooks Discrimination
282 Words | 2 PagesCrooks is very lonely and solitude for being alone every day. As a result, he wants to have friends who he can communicate with. No one has come into his room except for Slim and the boss, so when Lennie and Candy come, it is difficult for Crooks to “conceal his pleasure with anger” (75). Although he wants to express anger about people coming into his room, inside he is happy about it and enjoys it. This instability and loneliness that he has leads him to say how he could work for George, Lennie, and Candy on their farm.
Barriers In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men
521 Words | 3 PagesCrooks is constantly being discriminated against which is the effect of being colored at this time. During the book talks to Crooks about the farm he desires, Crook says to Lennie, “S'pose you couldn't go into the bunkhouse and play rummy 'cause you was black. How'd you like that?” () Crook is at the bottom of the social hierarchy because of his race. This inequality is the barrier to his dreams of being
Curley's Wife Isolation
878 Words | 4 PagesBecause crooks was black he was isolated and not allowed to near the other men. Lennie asks, “ Why ain’t you wanted… Cause I’m black” (Steinbeck 68). Crooks at first did not want Lennie entering his room but realizes Lennie is different and is not racist. Usually Crooks would tell people that they have not right coming into his room. He uses his isolation as a way to hide from everyone and get privacy.
Social Injustice In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men
513 Words | 3 PagesIn the novel “Of Mice and Men” John Steinbeck portrays the theme of social injustice throughout the story in the lives of several characters that include Lennie, Curley’s Wife, and the stable buck, Crooks. All of these characters are mistreated in some way, shape or form. The hardships that these characters faced help guide us to see the social injustice that is prevalent in the story. Lennie is a victim of social injustice due to the fact that he is mentally disabled. He is not treated fairly when he was accused of rape.
Loneliness And Alienation In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men
708 Words | 3 PagesLennie asked Crooks “Why Ain’t you wanted?” Crooks replied “Cause I’m black” he also told Lennie, “I tell ya a guy gets lonely and he gets sick.” The explanation supports the fact that Crooks was plagued by loneliness and alienation and he wanted
Light And Dark In Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men
1378 Words | 6 PagesHowever, Steinbeck also uses light and darkness to show the hidden sides of neglected characters such as Crooks. Crooks, the negro stable buck, is portrayed to have died from the inside and is living merely as a breathing corpse. Not because of the fact that he could not achieve the American Dream or live a lavish life. But, simply because of the fact that he is a negro who is surfeited of being ill treated and discriminated. “His eyes lay deep in his head, and because of their depth seemed to glitter with intensity.”, give the impression that inside Crooks is full of anger and indignation.
Depression In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men
435 Words | 2 PagesCrooks feels discriminated against and is defensive and angry with the other men for not including him. Another quote which displays Crooks's loneliness is, "S'pose you didn't have nobody. S'pose you couldn't go into the bunkhouse and play rummy ‘cause you was black. How'd you like that? Spose You had to sit out here an read books.
How Does Steinbeck Present The Theme Of Loneliness In Of Mice And Men
698 Words | 3 PagesCrooks is a black man who isn’t allowed to be in the house with all the men. The men won’t allow him to come in because of his color. Crooks is lonely and he doesn’t bother the men. One night Lennie came in and was talking to Crooks and telling them about the farm that they were going to get. For once Crooks thought well maybe I won’t be lonely I could go with them and don’t have worry about none of them.
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