Mice And Men By John Steinbeck Crooks Character Analysis

Of Mice and Men is a novella by John Steinbeck published in 1937. It is a story that explores the lives of migrant workers in California during the Great Depression. One of the key characters in the story is Crooks, a black stable buck who is isolated from the other men because of his race. This essay will analyze the character of Crooks in the novel by exploring his background, personality, and relationships with other characters.

 

Crooks is the only black character in the novel, and as such, he is subjected to discrimination and racism by the other characters. He is given the job of a stable buck, which means he takes care of the horses and mules on the ranch. His living quarters are separate from the other men, and he is not allowed to socialize with them. This isolation has made him bitter and resentful towards the other men.

 

Crooks is an intelligent and well-read man who is interested in literature and history. He has a small collection of books in his room and enjoys reading them in his spare time. However, his isolation has made him defensive and distrustful of others. He is quick to assume that people are out to get him and is often rude and aggressive towards them. He uses his intelligence as a defense mechanism to keep people at bay.

 

Crooks has a complicated relationship with the other characters in the novel. He is excluded from their social activities and is often the target of their racism and discrimination. However, he also craves human interaction and is envious of the friendship between George and Lennie. When Lennie visits him in his room, he opens up to him and admits that he is lonely. This shows that he longs for companionship but is unable to find it because of his race.

 

Crooks is constantly reminded of his place in society because of his race. When he tries to enter the bunkhouse to talk to the other men, he is told to go back to his own quarters. This makes him bitter and resentful towards the other men. He tells Lennie, "A guy goes nuts if he ain't got nobody. Don't make no difference who the guy is, long's he's with you. I tell ya a guy gets too lonely an' he gets sick" (Steinbeck, 72). This shows that he is aware of the racism he faces and that it has affected him deeply.

 

Crooks is isolated from the other men because of his race. He is not allowed to socialize with them and is forced to live in a separate area of the ranch. This isolation has made him bitter and resentful towards the other men. When he is visited by Lennie, he opens up to him and admits that he is lonely. This shows that he craves human interaction but is unable to find it because of his race.

 

Crooks is an intelligent and well-read man who is interested in literature and history. He has a small collection of books in his room and enjoys reading them in his spare time. This shows that he is not just a stereotypical black man, but a person with his own interests and hobbies.

 

Crooks uses his intelligence as a defense mechanism to keep people at bay. He is quick to assume that people are out to get him and is often rude and aggressive towards them. He tells Lennie, "I ain't no southern negro. I'm from California. . . . They play cards in there, but I can't play because I'm black. They say I stink. Well, I tell you, all of you stink to me" (Steinbeck,Introduction:

 

 

Of Mice and Men is a novella by John Steinbeck published in 1937. It is a story that explores the lives of migrant workers in California during the Great Depression. One of the key characters in the story is Crooks, a black stable buck who is isolated from the other men because of his race. This essay will analyze the character of Crooks in the novel by exploring his background, personality, and relationships with other characters.

 

 

In conclusion, Crooks is a complex character in John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men. He is a victim of racism and discrimination, which has left him isolated and bitter. Despite this, he is intelligent and well-read, with his own interests and hobbies. His relationship with the other characters in the novel is complicated, as he both craves and resents human interaction. Through his character, Steinbeck highlights the injustices and prejudices faced by black people in America during the Great Depression. Crooks' experiences remind us of the importance of treating people with respect and dignity, regardless of their race or background.