This document summarises the character of Crooks in John Steinbeck's 'Of Mice and Men', looking at the contributions that the character makes to the plot and how language and context shape this effect by highlighting key quotations.
GCSE Of Mice and Men - Curley’s Wife Analysis & Summary
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English Literature (4ET1)
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Crooks
- Black – contributes to microcosm: “a n*****” p22
- No name? – shows racism/lack of identity + importance in society
- Experiences racism – commonplace at the time, even now: “they let the n***** come in that
night” p22
- Educated, some kind of backstory: “reads a lot…got books in his room” p22
- Section 4 is deep dive into him p75-94
- Room described p75-6
- “proud, aloof man”, p76
- Apprehensive at Lennie first, warms up b/c enjoys company for once 76-77; “Lennie’s disarming
smile defeated him”, p78, “Lennie’s a nice fella” p93
- Aware of his position: “b/c I’m black” p77
- Backstory 79-80
- Appearance, p76: “lean face/lined w/ deep black wrinkles/thin, pain-tightened lips lighter than
face”
- Jealous of companionship GnL, describes loneliness and depression: p80, 82, 83; “I tell ya a guy
gets too lonely an’ he gets sick”
- Domineers over someone (Lennie), 1st and only time asserting power – bit torturous: “face
lighted with pleasure in his torture” p81
- Highlights futility of AD, and then the guys’ dream p83-4, 85: “Ever’body wants a little piece of
lan’… nobody gets no land.”
- Enjoys Candy’s company too: “difficult for Crooks to conceal his pleasure with anger” p84
- Offers his services, eager to join in on dream as well b/c lonely: “If you…guys would want a hand
to work for nothing” p86
- Constant awareness of his status, retreats v quickly p91: “reduced himself to nothing”, “voice
toneless”
- Retreats to the point where he retracts from all companionship: “I didn’t mean it. Jus’ foolin’”
p94
- Monotony, back to loneliness when everyone else leaves: “looked at the door for a moment”
- Animal imagery; symbolic setting links 2 historical context: “long box filled with straw”
- Dehumanisation contrasted w/ possessions: “dictionary”, “civil code”, “spectacles” 1st
glimpse of intelligence + ambition.
- Skill depicted – shown as MUCH more than stable buck: “curved knives and needles and balls of
thread”
- “dictionary”: words=power of expression + empowerment; eager to better self
- “tattered”, “mauled” well studied, show thirst for education
- “Civil code” interest in law, empowerment – dream of education but segregated life, doesn’t
voice dream b/c not allowed to (HC)
- “1905”: Book out of date; depicts futility b/c useless; highlights fate b/c despite efforts, Crooks is
fated to be stuck in this position
- “Gold-rimmed spectacles”: gold=value, specs=intelligence
- “hung from a nail on the wall”: never gets 2 use education/glasses @ job. Has to hang up
education b/c fated to live in 30s USA.
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