Crooks is disabled and a negro, unusual at this time in California. (He points out that he is not a “southern negro”, referring where coloured people lived in large numbers). He is excluded by his colour from the bunkhouse (he is allowed in at Christmas, but has to fight one of the men, it seems). Crooks protects his feelings by keeping them to himself. When Candy tells him of the dream ranch, he offers to work for nothing. But Curley’s wife reminds him that he has no hope of sharing the dream, and he pretend the offer was made as a joke. (But it seems clear that he means it when he says it). Unlike the others, Curley’s wife seems not to understand her limitations – or she refuses to admit them. She still dreams of what might have been, seeing herself as a potential film star. However, she has no acting talent, men make offers as a chat-up line, and as films were requiring actresses to talk, her coarse speech would be a handicap. Her innocence shows in her belief that her mother has stolen a letter (from her “contact” in Hollywood) which was obviously never written. Her immaturity appears in her instant reaction of marrying the loathsome Curley. Desperate for companionship she does not find at home, she flirts with the ranch hands. They are uneasy about this, as they think her to be seriously promiscuous, and are fearful of Curley’s reaction. Her inappropriate dress on the ranch and her coquettish manner brand her as a “tart”. She is perhaps, the most pathetic of all the characters.
Steinbeck sympathises with the poor black people of the time with his description of Crooks. He describes Crooks as living, “ ’n a little shed next to the barn.” This suggests he is excluded from of the main activities on the ranch. He sleeps as an animal does, and Steinbeck says, “Crooks’ bunk was a long box filled with straw.” Crooks room was well kept but because he was so poor he only had, “battered magazines and a few dirty books on a special shelf over his bunk.” He takes care of where he sleeps and doesn’t like other people there. For example, when Lennie enters his space he says sharply, “You got no rights to come in my room. Nobody got any rights in here but me.” Steinbeck has created a character who lives in fear due to the insults directed at him. Crooks tells Lennie why he is so isolated, “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 stink to me.” So ultimately crooks’ colour is a barrier for him to be accepted by the others on the ranch.
While Crooks doesn’t want company, Curley’s wife yearns for it. When George and Whit first meet, Whit describes her as a, “new kid,” and says that she is one to be avoided. He tells George, “to stick around an’ keep your eyes concealin’ nothing. I never seen nobody like her she got eyes goin’ all the time on everybody. I bet she even gives the stable buck the eye. I don’t know what the hell she wants.” Steinbeck has created a confused and sad character, one who is destined for a tragic future and this is how it turns out.
In conclusion, I find these two characters interesting because they’re lonely and isolated from everyone, but they are completely opposite to each other, this makes the story more interesting because there is a contrast between the main characters and the isolated ones. The main reasons I find that Crooks and Curley’s wife so interesting because Crooks doesn’t want and company because he is afraid and Curley’s wife desperately wants the company.
