Powerlessness In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

Crooks frequently utters negatives (“nobody”, “ain’t”), this reflects on his pessimism and his negative outlook on life. On a larger perspective, this eventually mirrors why he has this specific attitude, which is as a result of peoples ill treated manner towards him because of his racial distinction. This shows how Crooks has evolved to survive in this world purely based on judgments.

He resented how he was not allowed to live in the bunkhouse, therefore denying Lennie permission to enter his room. On the other hand, the book suggest that Lennie just wanted someone to talk to while George was gone, from which he says, “Noting- I seen your light. I thought I could jus’ come in an’ set.” Crooks then goes on criticizing Lennie how he stinks at playing cards, only because others say he stunk at playing it. All the injustice Crooks faced is directly affecting upon how he treats others.

My other point is that Lennie came to crooks to talk but Crooks didn’t want him there. On page 68 is when Lennie at firsts enters his room and gets scolded. “Crooks said sharply, “You got no right to come in my room. This here’s my room. Nobody get any right in here but me.”

Crooks is a literate black man who tends horses on the ranch. He has long been the victim of oppressive violence and prejudice and has retired behind a facade of aloofness and reserve, his natural personality deadened and suppressed by years of antagonism. Crooks is the only black man in the novel. He has a cynical intelligence and a contemptuous demeanor that he uses to prevent others from inevitably excluding him because of his race. This sign of intelligence is conveyed when Steinbeck describes Crook’s bunkhouse:

Steinbeck’s Idea on how people can have a chance at the brief nature of power before it shifts can be summed up into the quote:

Crooks seems powerless because the other workers on the ranch isolate him as a result of his race. In the novella, Crooks has his own living space and bedroom that is separated from the others; he rarely lets anyone come into his room. One day, Lennie, an outsider with a mental disability enters his room and starts to talk with Crooks. “‘Why ain’t you wanted?’ Lennie asked. ‘Cause I’m black. They play cards in there, but I can’t play because I’m black. They say I stink’” (Steinbeck 68). Crooks knows that because he is

Chapter 4: “Crooks scowled, but Lennie 's disarming smile defeated him.”Come on in and set a while," Crooks said. " 'Long as you won 't get out and leave me alone, you might as well set down." His tone was a little more friendly” [223]

Despite his initial reaction to Lennie interrupting him Crooks is able to confide in him after being emotionally alone for a long time.

The virtues of humanity are what define us as a species. Animals can also possess these virtues of selfish, or selfless acts. Call of the Wild perfectly illustrates this through the story as Buck learns to adjust to many owners. The book illustrates humans having virtues of humanity by starting with Judge Miller, a kind, caring pet owner who lets Buck roam free on their “Sun kissed Santa Clara Valley Ranch.”

The person I would like to introduce is Lorie, she is the General Manager of Culligan Total Water. I chose her because she is the only person I know that works in a position that would involve enough mathematical skills to write a two page paper.

Crooks is also presented as powerless, as previously discussed it is perhaps this lack of power that leads to his bitterness. One quote shows how Curley’s wife threatens him and Crooks sits down and doesn’t fight back, “Crooks had reduced himself to nothing. There was no personality, no ego-nothing to arouse either like or dislike”. Steinbeck tries to use metaphorical language to show that Crooks doesn’t want to be seen and that he fears for himself. It also shows that he is at the bottom of the social hierarchy mainly because he is the only black person on the ranch. The repetition of the word ‘no’ and ‘nothing’

As mentioned in the text, Lennie asked, “Why ain’t you wanted?” and Crook responded

The harsh reality is one which hit everyone in America in the 1930. People found work hard to find and crime was on the uprise. This meant, unfortunately, that innocent people were the easy prey and, as we see in the Of Mice and Men, there were plenty of characters that were easy prey. Of Mice and Men characters have and do thing that make them vulnerable in way which do cause trouble. In this essay, that harsh reality and easy prey will be shown through to see which characters are the most vulnerable.

The origin of the fairy tale derives from oral tradition. These tales vary depending on the culture, time, and purpose of the teller, hence why there are multiple versions of a single tale. Every narrator reinvents the tale to meet their needs. The familiar themes, images, and symbols associated with the fairy tale tradition have been recycled by film makers and writers alike. This is because fairy tales are not only the most recognisable narrative worldwide, but they have a certain quality that captivates both the adult and child reader. While the narratives may not necessary contain fairies, they have a supernatural element to them, and often a moral message. In addition, they explore social concerns and identity formation without being

I ain't sure I want you in here no more. A coloured man got to have some rights even if he don't like 'em". Steinbeck describes this to create a contrast since he is the educated one, however because of his race, he doesn’t get any respect. There is a semantic field of pain here in “Of Mice and Men”, firstly Crooks is suffering from physical pain; “pain-tightened lips” and “face lined with pain” underline his injury. Secondly, Crooks’ comment that “a guy gets too lonely an’ he gets sick” shows that mental pain. He is lonely; Candy has “been here a long time”, but he has never been in Crooks’ room, suggesting how rarely the other men visit Crooks. Steinbeck portrays Crooks‘s response to Lennie as “a guy needs somebody – to be near him”, implies that he wants to be around with people, he wants to have friends, lastly Steinbeck describes his loneliness as “a guy talking to another guys and it don’t make no difference if he don’t hear or understand”, pointing out that he is jealous of Lennie. Crooks tortures Lennie psychologically by saying “S’pose George don’t come back no more. S’pose he took a powder and just ain’t coming back.” and Crooks’s face is described as “lighted with pleasure in his torture”, implying that he is jealous of Lennie and he tries to convince Lennie to experience the same feeling as he