Why is the treatment that Crooks receives from other characters important in the novel? [40 marks]

so detrimental to him (and all black people) that he loses hope of ever attaining freedom. Furthermore, when we are made aware of his possessions, we are told of his owning a shotgun, illustrating a scenario where he may be abused to the extent that he is forced to use it out of self-defence. When Lennie inquires as to why Crooks “ain’t wanted”, he replies “cause I’m black… They say I stink.” The white people act as though it is offensive to them to have the stable buck in the bunk house and is a disgrace for him to be in their presence. Lennie, who is unaware of racism, is Steinbeck's way of displaying that is not necessary as a white and black man can get along well. However the author does this to show us that the racism is out of ignorance and out of a need for power as the depression has left them with nothing. There is an element of irony here as Crooks “has books” and a “tattered dictionary” which shows he regularly uses it to expand his vocabulary, indicating that he is better educated than the other workers. This is important as it displays that he is in fact not inferior and does not deserve to be treated as though he is. Steinbeck’s intention here is to show the reader that the prejudice is ignorant and even though he is more intelligent than the white men he is still mistreated, depicting a society where racism is integral. The treatment Crooks receives on a daily basis is one surrounded by racial prejudice and acts of violence towards him. Nonetheless, when Candy enters his room infatuated by the dream, his demeanor is significantly more friendly. This shows that ‘the dream’ is very powerful and is able to break the racial barriers between the men. The stable buck’s response however, is somewhat cynical- “you guys just kiddin’ yourself”, expressing his lack of belief due to futile attempts at realising his own dream and seeing “too many guys” suffer the same fate.Although Crooks is mocking of their dream, when Candy notes they “got the money right now” he expresses his desire to “come an’ lend a hand”, even though he has reason to doubt their talk of a farm of their own. This conveys his yearning to belong and the fact that he is beginning to become accepted by other workers sees the start of his dream unfolding. Crooks is used by Steinbeck to represent the extremity of loneliness of itinerant ranch life in America. Before encountering Crooks we are made aware that at Christmas “Smitty took after the nigger” showing how he is constantly living in fear of others and is forced into a life of loneliness and segregation. We see that this violence has led him to isolate himself and become an “aloof man”; for the most part he is left alone in the stable, however when Lennie enters the harness room, “Crooks said sharply, ‘You got no right to come into my room’ ” He is instantly suspicious of any kindness and anyone, due to past experiences of prejudice, and the extent of this suspicion is seen through “Crooks said sharply” as though he is almost resentful of company as he is accustomed to being alone.  Steinbeck uses Crooks to bring into perspective the loneliness experienced by all ranch hands during the depression as they migrate to find work. “A guy needs someone – to be near him. A guy goes nuts if he ain’t got nobody…I tell ya, a guy gets too lonely, an’ he gets sick” He is telling Lennie of the need for human interaction and to have someone to care for you and provide security. Crooks is talking mainly of his own experience and how the oppression of living in the barn and not being allowed to “play rummy ‘cause you was black” has shaped his cynical character. The fact that he is disheartened by not being included in rummy games and decides not to discuss the violence against him shows his desperation to be realised as an equal within society. However this may also be interpreted as being a generalisation as he speaks of “a guy”, Steinbeck includes this to show how it can relate to everyone during this time.  Crooks is treated as inferior and this has led him to become an aloof character who isolates himself from others and is used by Steinbeck to represent the loneliness experienced by all itinerant ranch hands in America during the depression. The sense of the stable buck being inferior is shown when he is physically and verbally abused by being called “a nigger” indicating the prominence of racism in America, this is important as it allows Steinbeck to explore the paradox of America with the land of freedom and hope being stained with racism. Furthermore, the fact that Crooks is forced to live apart from the white workers accentuates the idea of racial segregation during the 1930s as he, and by extension all blacks are seen as a disgrace. Additionally, the change in attitude towards Crooks by Candy from “relishing” his pain to inviting him into the dream is used to show the power of the dream. Riken Shah 11S