Character of Crooks in “Of mice and men” Essay

Throughout the novel Of Mice and Men Steinbeck presents Crook as being lonely, intelligent and hopeless. He is in a minority group and is discriminated against because he represents the contraband community in 1930s America. Indeed, it is because of this unlikeness that Crooks attempts to draw whatever limited amount of power he can from his surroundings. Well I gotta right to extradite a light. This implies Crooks is defensive and maybe isnt allowed the things he wants or needs, or the things he see that other people have. He also has a shot gun and a Californian civil code . These things suggest that Crooks is physically weak and has to have protection and the law to feel power against others. codt be coming in a place youre not wanted . This inverted comma suggests that Crooks doesnt want anybody coming in his room, during that sequence racism was strong and Crooks has to live on his own, he doesnt have power over a lot of things so for him to be able to have his own room he will that power over people. Crooks desire to exercise power over Lennie may be a result of discrimination he has suffered from in his life.The white kids interject to play. My ol man didnt like that. This shows like most kids they are naive and thereof Crooks didnt understand why his father (ol man) didnt like him playing with the white kids. Crooks experience of racial conflict and discrimination throughout his life teaches him why his father didnt want him to play with them. I cant play coz Im black this quote is another example of the way society was in the 1930s and how racism was ok it also links to the theme lonely because it shows that nobody wants to be play along Crooks or do anything with him. Crooks lack of social status means he does not only suffer from discrimination from the men on the ranch dear also Curleys wife. Crooks says maybe you better go along to your own house now we dont want no trouble by what he is saying implies that if they are caught with or ta lking to her there would be trouble, and that she is dangerous to them. And one point in the novel Curleys wife is truly vindictive towards Crooks and says well you better keep your place then nigger, I could get your strung up on a tree so well it aint even funny. Crooks is like prey in this society and is at a disadvantage because he is black. Candys wife threatens him by saying she could get him killed andcould do this because she is white.This comment instantly makes Crooks silent and returns him back to his social standpoint by responding to Curleys wife buy saying yes, maam in a toneless voice. Crooks also attempts to exert power over Lennie in his shack although with limited success. Crooks face lit up with the plea surely of his torture. This may be the first time in Crooks life when he has more power than another human being. Lennie panics and struggles to understand, this allows Crooks to exert more control. Lennies mentally disabled and is utilise to discrimination and violence as were black people but because of Lennies lack of understanding it allows Crooks to wield power over him and he enjoys it. Crooks says its just being with another guy thats all. This shows that Crooks believes that it does not matter what you say to some on its that you say something. Hes a very lonely person due to the fact he never has anyone to talk to. Crooks is saying having company is what matters, theres no need to be choosy about the company itself.This shows his desperation after being isolated for so long. Crooks is shown to be a bitter man who sees others dreams as futile. Nobody gets to paradise. Crooks believes that the dream is impossible and has no hope for anybody moving past there social class and becoming rich. He mentions that tons of men have come through the ranch and said that they were going to get some land but it never works out for them so it leads to Crooks thinking the dream is exclusively unachievable. After Lennie and candy go one about ho w they will get the land and how theres no stopping them and they seem so sure about it, Crooks says if you guys need a hand I could come and lend it.Crooks stops being so negative for a flash and starts to believe in the dream. He feels so comfortable with Lennie and Candy that he entombs his place in that society, but after Curleys wife leaves he says forget about it just foolin. I wouldn want to go no place like that. Crooks has seen all the trouble that people cause when they get together and he has decided he doesnt want any part of it and thinks that the farm shared by three men would become to chaotic and that George would become trite of responsibility.