How does Steinbeck present the character of Crooks in the novel 'Of Mice and Men'?

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          How does Steinbeck present the character of Crooks in the novel 'Of Mice and Men'?

Within the time period of the 1930's, many non-white people kept themselves isolated from others and stayed out of trouble, to avoid the risk of  being lynched. Segregation, isolation and racism was a normal lifestyle led by those who were black; one of the characters that embodies this theme in the novel is the character of Crooks. Other themes of the novel are the American Dream; which is never achieved by any of the characters, this suggests that Steinbeck believed that the dream was unbelievable. This is the same belief which Crooks has. Friendship is another important theme, as the reader sees the desperation Crooks has for friendship and the affect of loneliness has had on him. Steinbeck set the novel in Soledad, California, 1930's during the Great Depression. This is an ironic setting because the term 'Soledad' means isolation and loneliness in Spanish, reflecting the life led by Crooks. Also the reader follows the protagonists Lennie and George as they struggle financially. In addition unemployment rates were high and pension rates decreased; making life hard especially for the middle class. Many men left their families and travelled across the country to find work and support their families. But life was harder for black men as they were seen as savage animals and were not wanted; reflecting the hardship of coloured men in the 1930's. The title 'Of Mice and Men' was taken from a famous poem written by Robert Burns. The meaning behind the title is that 'the best laid plans often go awry'; this is a pessimistic phrase that associates with Crooks. This analysis of Crooks will show how Steinbeck presents Crooks as a lonesome and a lack of social interaction with the other white characters in the novel.

The name 'Crooks' arose from the character having a crooked back; however he is often referred to as 'nigger'. This reflects the casual racism  which was present in America during 1930's.  The first reference the reader gets of Crooks is in chapter 2 during a conversation between two other characters. 'Ya see the stable bucks a nigger'. Although Crooks isn't in the scene, the reader already gets a sense of treatment Crooks gets; as he is referred to as nigger and not by his name.

The only proper reference the reader gets of Crooks with him involved in the scene is in chapter 4. The structure of the novel highlights the segregation and isolation Crooks suffers; as the chapter is also isolated from the rest of the novel. This is apparent because this is the only chapter where the reader gains an insight into a characters background. Steinbeck is the only one that refers to Crooks by his name, the other characters refer to him as nigger. This is effective because it shows how the other characters think of him as a lascivious beast. By this the other characters seemed to have removed Crooks' identity and dignity; this is also a metaphoric term that seems to have 'crippled' Crooks.

The description of Crooks' room shows him as the same as the other workers ' this room was

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swept and fairly neat'; however the other characters don't see him as an equal. They even go to the extent of refusing to share a room with him; although this does allow him the freedom of leaving his possessions lying freely around; 'and scattered about the floor were a number of personal possessions'. A number of these possessions reflects his personality; ' a tattered dictionary' which suggests that he is quite articulate. Some of these items also highlight his treatment and segregation from society. He had 'a few dirty books' suggesting they were pornography because he wasn't allowed into the ...

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A very strong essay on the presentation of Crooks and his role in the essay. Points are coherently made and are fully supported with relevant evidence from the text. 5 Stars