Lonely, ignored, different, and unaccepted, Crooks is a segregated African American character in the fictional novella, Of Mice and Men, written by John Steinbeck. Crooks is the considered the lower class on the farm; he is also isolated from most of his co-workers. The main reason why Crooks is treated like this is because of his race. The theme statement, racial discrimination affects African Americans negatively, is best illustrated by Crooks.
Crooks is a black man who has been given the nickname because of his crooked back. He is another character in the novel that is discriminated against. Similarly, as Lennie and Candy are discriminated because of their weakness, Crooks is discriminated because of his race. For example, he says how he “ain’t wanted in the bunkhouse… can’t play [cards] because I’m black” (68). His race causes him to be separated from everyone else and be isolated in his own room. Another example of Crooks getting discriminated because he is black is when he and Curley’s wife are arguing. She completely shuts him down by saying how she could get anyone to lynch him at any time. Crooks can say nothing but “Yes, ma’am”. Even Curley’s wife, who is considered weak, can pick on even weaker people, like Crooks.
Crooks 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.
In the novel “Of Mice and Men” the theme of social injustice is presented by John Steinbeck through the characters of Lennie, Curley’s wife, and Crooks. By examining the theme of social injustice one can be taught that treating someone based on their mental capability, gender, or race is wrong. Rather treat them base on the person they are on the
Crooks 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
The loneliest person in the story Of Mice and Men by John Stienbeck is Crooks. Since crooks was black all the ranch workers would stay away from him. The men on the ranch were very racist. They don't let him sleep in the bunkhouse or play chards with them because he's a "nigger". Crooks has no friends or family o he reads because he can't really socialize with anyone Crooks suffered because he wasn't allowed to defend himself.
Of Mice and Men “listen, nigger,” she said. “you know what I can do to you if you open your trap?” (pg.80). This shows how the word “nigger” is used to control a black person. In the book of Mice and Men the word “nigger” is used quite often but towards crooks, since he is the only black person in the book.
I ain’t wanted in the bunkhouse, and you ain’t wanted in my room. “Why ain’t you wanted?” Lennie asked. “ ‘Cause I’m black” (68). As Crooks explains, his hope of fitting in is not possible, but it remains his greatest hope.
I think that many people are lonely because they feel like nobody is there for them, because some people do not have a great deal of people around them to help them or to just be there for them. Another thing is that, some people really want someone to be there for them but they feel they can’t tell others what is going on or how they feel because people might judge them or have rude comments about it, so they feel like they have deal with it all by themselves. Some people might say, why do they not tell someone or try and make new friends, but what that person does not know is that, that person might not be able to just meet new people and make friends because they generally do not have people there for them so they can not do this as easily
Crooks is an all alone, isolated character in Of Mice and Men, he is so isolated that he isn 't allowed in the bunkhouse because of his skin color and this loneliness and isolation affects him. When Lennie comes into Crooks ' room Crooks says "You got no right to come in my room. This here 's my room. Nobody got any right in here but me." Loneliness affects him here because he isn 't allowed in the bunkhouse so he has his own cabin and when Lennie comes in he isn 't used to people and he gets frustrated with Lennie.
Crooks told Lennie “cause I’m black. They play cards in here, but I can’t play because I’m black”. They are prejudice against Crooks and the is actually a really nice guy. Lennie and Candy are the only ones who went to talk to him and they made him happy because the never gets to talk to anyone.
In conclusion, John Steinbeck’s novella, Of Mice and Men, includes many marginalized characters, the most of which is Crooks. Due to being African American, especially during the 1930s, he was subject to harsh discrimination and racial segregation by those he worked with. In modern times, Crooks would be able to have a life filled with opportunity. Although life for African Americans today continues to be flawed, changes through movements such as “Black Lives Matter” are taking place to reach social
Steinbeck 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
Some people did not employ African Americans just because their race. Women were also treated unfairly during this time. Women are now allowed to vote during this time but they are thought to be housewives, mother and caregivers. It was hard for them to get decent jobs and were mostly rejected. Curley’s wife was treated very unfairly in this book.
First off Crooks is the character that is held back in his journey towards freedom by his race. There are many examples where Crooks is insulted by his race, but there is this specific incident where George is laying down his cards and hears someone calling : “Stable buck, oooh stable buck!” And then, “Where the hell is that goddamn nigger?” This proves that in the 1930’s people were still racist and used to call African Americans names like nigger. And Crooks can’t really do anything because if he does he would probably get tortured or starved, and he can’t quit because it wasent his job, he was a slave. And this quotation also tells us that Crooks, the stable buck, is restricted by his race.