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- “1905”: Book out of date; depicts futility b/c useless; highlights fate b/c despite efforts, Crooks is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.
