"Crooks had reduced himself to nothing. There was no personality, no ego—nothing to arouse either like or dislike. He said, 'Yes, ma’am,' and his voice was toneless. For a moment she stood over him as though waiting for him to move so that she could whip at him again; but Crooks sat perfectly still, his eyes averted, everything that might be hurt drawn in." (Steinbeck 119)
Crooks can be shut down very quickly given the right people to do so. Crooks are dehumanized in this piece of textual evidence. Steinbeck through the use of Curley's wife reminds the reader how badly Crooks is treated, he is reduced to nothing out of fear. Crooks isn't meek but his ferocity leads him to be unobtrusive. This piece of textual evidence shows how real Crooks is as a character from a reader's point by exposing this very immediate change in character. This reveals the various levels that may have never been tapped into during the story.
Crooks' perspective of how bad the treatment can get, is shifted in this part of the story. Crooks never experienced anything as bad as becoming nothing in a matter of seconds because of another character's disliking of him. Crooks may have suffered a lot but his view of life and his view of the ranch were shifted. The view of his life changed by making him realized just how unimportant he can become to avoid punishment. The view of the ranch makes him realize how bad it can get for him there in a matter of seconds.
This piece of textual evidence shows Crooks' meekness. Crooks isn't generally meek, he's logical, aloof, proud, conscientious, and lonely. Crooks knew that the real-world consequences for picking at the wrong people's aspects during conversation are heavy.
Throughout the story Crooks has been mentioned time and time again. All the times that he was mentioned in regards to mistreatment or discrimination did not appear as severe because Crooks was not a well-known character. Chapter 4 made the connection more personal adding weight to the mentions and what information they contained. Since this piece of textual evidence is near the end of Chapter 4 it serves as a shocker for the reader. Crooks is the most upset and loneliest he ever must have felt during his time on the ranch at that moment.
