Crooks
ACTIONS
THOUGHTS
EFFECT ON OTHERS
SAYS
LOOKS
POSSESSION & ENVIRONMENT
Quote #1- Crooks said sharply, “You got no right to come in my room. This here’s my
room. Nobody got any right in here but me.” (Steinbeck 34)
Quote #2- “Yeah?” said Crooks. “An’ where’s George now? In town in a whorehouse. That’s where your money’s goin’. Jesus, I seen it happen too many times. I seen too many guys with land in their head. They never get none under their hand.”(Steinbeck 37)
Quote #1- 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. (Steinbeck 39)
Quote #2- 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. (Steinbeck 34)
Quote- Crooks bored in on him. “Want me ta tell ya what’ll happen? They’ll take ya to the booby hatch. They’ll tie ya up with a collar, like a dog.” Suddenly Lennie’s eyes centered and grew quiet, and mad. He stood up and walked dangerously toward Crooks. “Who hurt George?” he demanded. (Steinbeck 35)
Quote #1- Crooks stood up from his bunk and faced her. “I had enough,” he said coldly. “You got no rights comin’ in a colored man’s room. You got no rights messing around in here at all. Now you jus’ get out, an’ get out quick. If you don’t, I’m gonna ast the boss not to ever let you come in the barn no more.” (Steinbeck 39)
Quote #2- She closed on him. “You know what I could do?” Crooks seemed to grow smaller, and he pressed himself against the wall. “Yes, ma’am.” (Steinbeck 39)
Quote- “’Cause I’m black. They play cards in there, but I can’t play because I’m black. They say I stink. Well, I tell you, you all of you stink to me.”(Steinbeck 34)
Quote- On the wall by the window there were pegs on which hung broken harness in process of being mended; strips of new leather; and under the window itself a little bench for leather-working tools, curved knives and needles and balls of linen thread, and a small hand riveter. (Steinbeck 33)
This quote by Crooks shows that he is clearly being hostile and aggressive towards Lennie. This suggests that he is either an aggressive and hostile person, or has had poor experiences with people coming into his room and so he is simply being cautious. The further we read, the more reasonable the second reason becomes. So this quote by Crooks suggests that he is a cautious person that cares for what is his and doesn't want people to mess with it.
This quote by Crooks suggests that he is well educated on how men generally have an idea and bow it all away after they go into town. He also claims to have seen it many times, which also means that he has been here a while and is well versed on how things run around here. So all in all, this quote means that Crooks has been at the farm for a while, all men who have an idea to buy a plot of land generally end up the same, and that he expects George come out the same.
The possession identified is the knives Crooks has in his room. These seemed significant to me because they were one of the only objects that he owns mentioned, and so this greatly reflects his general life. The few objects that he has, most being for work show that most of his life simply work, work, work. The other thing mentioned which really shows Crooks's environment is the broken harnesses being hung on the pegs on the wall, these shows his poor living environment because they just emphasize how big of a part his work is, he is constantly surrounded by chores and work he must do. This again shows that his character is not very happy if he is only influenced by work and nearly no social life, his mental health must not be very good, which plays a part on his character as to why he is so cautious as mentioned in the "SAYS" section.
This quote proves that Crooks is in fact a nice man who simply needs to be sure that you are not intending to pose harm upon him. At first we saw how defensive he was, but now after seeing what Lennie is really like he kindly lets him into his room and sit down. This shows that Crooks's character is actually a nice man who is simply slightly fearful/cautious.
This quote shows that Crooks is at a disadvantage when it comes to Curley's wife because she is threatening him with getting him fired for his words. Crooks knows his limits and apologizes, he doesn't persist with his initial thoughts but rather retreats and accepts that she is more powerful than himself. Essentially this quote shows us that Crooks is not very powerful, smart (for not persisting), and lives his life in a very poor manner.
This quote is unique, this is because it displays the effect Crooks could potentially have on others, though Lennie is mentally impaired, it still proves that Crooks is smart enough to manipulate individuals and cause them to do all sorts of things. But this is a mere projection of how he could be, because when reality steps in (Curley's wife) that shows us how it actually is. Crooks can have a big affect on others, but unfortunately we don't see that often due to his disadvantages of being a negro during that time period.
This quote obviously shows that Crooks is African American. AT this time period that meant that he was segregated and looked down upon by society. People treated him poorly and as less of an equal solely based on his skin color. This is an important fact because it explains why people are "allowed" to treat him so poorly.
This quote shows the way Crooks defends himself against Curley's Wife's hostility that she brings into the room. He doesn't want her to be in his room, and even though he's black and he knows it, he won't stand for it. This reflects a courageous character buried deep within him.
In this scene we Crooks cowering against the wall as Curley's Wife threatens him. He presses against the wall and obediently displays his understanding of what she told him. This doesn't necessarily mean he's a coward, but rather he's afraid of the potential consequences.