1. Of Mice & Men: Crooks

2. Introduction Crooks, the disabled negro stable buck, is presented as an outcast within Soledad Ranch, and plays an important role in the idealism of the American Dream. His ‘dream’ is different from the others - he wants to be treated fairly, equally and to be self-sufficient, but this is not a reality due to an unchangeable limitation. While many characters in the novella are ostracized due to their physical disabilities, Crooks not falling short of this as well, he is neglected because of his race. He is the epitome of discrimination and racial segregation that was prominent throughout the time in which the novel was set. The reader’s first impression of Crooks is initially of a cruel and gruff man, but it is revealed that his cynical nature is the result of the pain and suffering that is caused by prejudicial treatment. The oppression and lack of human interaction Crooks suffers portrays the feelings of many during the 1930s - their loneliness and desperation in the American Dream.

3. Quotations of Crooks Pointevidenceanalysis Steinbeck presents crook’s weak status in the ranch through describing his appearance. ‘His lean face was lined with deep black wrinkles, and he had thin, pain- tightened lips which were lighter than his face.’ ‘Lean’ suggests that he has done alot of physical labor and is under-fed. ‘Lined with deep black wrinkles’ suggests that he is impacted not only by physical pain but emotional too. The isolation he has suffered for so long Crooks is a character with knowledge to read unlike other ranch members a tattered dictionary and a mauled copy of the california civil code 1905 The word ‘tattered’ and ‘mauled’ suggests that the book was read by crooks repeatedly which indicates his loneliness.(the california civil code also suggests that crooks is interested human rights, it could be argued that crooks tries to fight for his right as a black people in the ranch) Crooks is presented as an animal being isolated from other ranch members. crooks bunk was a long box filled with straw bottle of medicine for the horses and himself ‘long bos filled with straw’ is usually places for horses to sleep. This suggests that crooks have a similar status to animals.

4. Pointevidenceanalysis Steinbeck shows crooks being self- defensive against other ranch members due to isolation Well, I tell you, you all of you stink to me. crooks is called ‘stink’ because hes black, in react to this isolation crooks calls the ranch members ‘stink’ too. Steinbeck uses this to show the race discrimination in the 1930s. Crooks is a vulnerable person on the ranch. I could get you strung up on a tree so easy it ain’t even funny. Curley’s wife already has a low status on the ranch because shes a woman. This suggests that crooks has a even lower status. Steinbeck uses this to show the discrimination against the colored and the disabled.