Of Mice and Men: Lennie and George

How does Steinbeck present the character of Crooks? In the novel “Of Mice and Men”, the character of Crooks is used by John Steinbeck, the author, to symbolise the downgrading of the black community occurring at the time in which the novel was set. Crooks is also significant as he provides

To begin with is George. George had a pretty nice sounding Crooks the stable hand at the ranch that George and Lennie come to work at. Crooks has an American Dream just like George and Lennie. Crooks is African American so during this time period some people at the ranch are discriminating against him because of his race. “I could get you strung up on a tree so easy it ain’t even funny” (p.81). Even though Crooks supposed to be free from all discrimination people still haven’t changed. Crooks someday dreams of playing cards with the other fellows at the ranch but mostly he wants to be equal. “S’pose you couldn’t go into the bunkhouse and play rummy ‘cause you was black...A guy needs somebody-to be near him” (p.72). Crooks wants to be treated just like the other people on the ranch. He’s not allowed in the bunkhouse because of his race. Crooks has been forced to sleep alone, away from the other workers on the ranch who sleep and play cards together in the bunkhouse. “‘Cause I’m black. They play cards in there, but I can’t play because I’m black” (p.68). The dream of all becoming equal is very common with many African Americans during this time period. Curley’s Wife also discriminating Crooks. “You know what I could do to you if you open up your trap” (p.80). Every time Crooks stands up for himself he just gets pushed over and never really acknowledged. Crooks also threatened by Curley's wife. She’s nearly at the bottom of the pile in the leadership of the ranch, but she still has power over Crooks. Crooks dreams that there will be a place and time where people won’t judge people by the color of their skin. Even though Crooks has a great American dream in mind he’s likely to not complete his dream. The Boss and Curley have shown that they do not trust Crooks at

place. These three examples display the theme that having high aspirations breed hope, friendship, and determination, enabling one to strive onward with a sense of self-worth or importance. Candy’s loss of his dog and his joining George and Lennie 's In this passage Crooks alludes to his dream. He dreams of being able to communicate

Crooks is shown as being isolated from the community, this is defining factor that characterises him. He is isolated from the ranch community and the community in Soledad for two primary reasons, his race and his disability. Crooks was kicked by a horse prior the start of the book, this leaves him unable to stand up straight and similarly to Candy gives him the appearance of uselessness (Steinbeck,2002). He is unable to work in the fields as the other men do and therefore he is even more isolated from their community. In addition to this his exclusion from the bunkhouse means he has almost no interaction with the other men on the ranch. This isolation also applies to the neighboring

How far would you go to save your friend from themselves. In the novella of mine and men by John Steinbeck. George and Lennie are working to get a nice house and live off the land. To guys George and Lennie work a farm to get the money to buy a house, but Lennie gets into trouble when he accidentally kills curley's wife. Which forced Lennie to kill George.Some of the relationships in the novella are George and Lennie, candy and George, and candy and his dog.

Crooks was a colored man which made him set apart from the others at the ranch. Crooks came off as character who was ornery, and wanted to spend his time alone. But as we learn more about him we begin to realize that as much as he makes it seem like he wants to be alone he really doesn’t want to and this quote shows that. “ ‘Long as you won’t get out and leave me alone, you might as well set down.” (pg.69) Crooks was in some ways similar to Whit because Whit was someone who for a while Lennie and George didn’t even know about until Candy told them that he quit and he didn’t even for sure know why he was quitting, just assumed it was the food. It shows that some of the men at the ranch are kind of just left on their own and the other guys don’t really care to involve themselves in the other guy’s lives. So Crooks dream was to not be lonely that is why he finally agreed and casually says that he would come along so they would have an extra set of helping hands. Crooks says “ I aint so crippled I can’t work like a son-of-a-bitch if I want to.”(pg.76) This just goes to show that even if someone doesn’t say their exact thoughts that there aren’t more intentions behind

Even George, who acted as Lennie’s protector in the novel, lost his temper and lashed out at Lennie in certain situations. "Blubberin’ like a baby! Jesus Christ! A big guy like you!" Lennie’s lip quivered and tears started in his eyes” (9). In this situation, George failed to realize that Lennie’s mental state was not quite stable, and that the best way to deal with him is to be kind and gentle. However, other characters treated Lennie far worse than George did. Curley was persistently trying to pick a fight with Lennie, not realizing that Lennie did not understand the concept of fighting, and even when provoked would fail to fight back. When Lennie kills Curley’s wife, Curley fails to realize that Lennie committed this horrific crime unintentionally, and instead is blinded with rage. “I’ll kill the big son-of-a-bitch myself. I’ll shoot ‘im in the guts” (96). Curley is too bent on revenge to discern that Lennie’s murderous act may have been unintentional, and is therefore not taking Lennie’s mental instability into

Relating to Crooks as an equal, they share the plan to buy a farm. Race is forgotten, until Curley’s wife appears. Forgetting to remember that he is black, Crooks’s orders her out of his room when she becomes belligerent and insulting. The backlash is immediate. Curley’s wife attacks Crooks in the most despicable display of racism in the novel. Warning him to remember his “place” and stay in it, she reminds Crooks that she can have him “strung up on a tree so easy it ain’t even funny,” implying that she has the power to kill him by accusing him of rape or some other heinous assault. The threat is chilling because Crooks knows it’s true. His word means nothing, and Lennie and Candy’s testimony would not save him from her false

to hate his father because he blames him for having been his son, and that is why he is in

He lives by himself because he is the only black man on the ranch. Victim of racial prejudice and unequal treatment, as a result he is now suspicious of any kindness he receives. Though Crooks was born in California, he is still always made to feel like an outsider, even in his home state Maybe because of his color skin keeps him separate in this culture.

Analysis of ‘Underdog’ Characters in Of Mice and Men “A guy needs somebody – to be near him.” He whined, “A guy goes nuts if he ain’t got nobody…” (John Steinbeck 72). Love and belonging, is the third most important need in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. As human beings, being a

so he could earn enough money to live in a worn out shack in the middle of the desert. even though he was

In the novel, “Of Mice and Men”, by John Steinbeck, the main focus is on George and Lennie. These two gentlemen have a bond like no other. George is skinny, short, and a little older, but Lennie is tall, big, and a little younger than George. These two workmen travel together, because Lennie’s aunt asked george to take care of him. Lennie’s Aunt Clara asked George to take him, because Lennie is mentally challenged, and forgetful. At times George would get so mad at Lennie, for making them have to go from ranch to ranch. During their gallivant to different ranches, Lennie was unaware of his own strength. Although, they meet others along the way. Thus, Lennie and George were left with each other on their journey, though it was not always pleasant.

sheep. Steinbeck immediately portrays the difference of power between them through Curley’s Wife thoughts. When Lennie, Candy and Crooks were all together before Curley’s Wife entered, they were in the middle of talking about George and Lennies American Dream. Crooks entered a dreamy

The story Of Mice and Men took place during the 1930’s. That time period was very different from today. Race and gender were very important characteristics that determined whether a person had the opportunity to make money. The 1930’s were also a time where people started questioning life and