Characters important in the novel? Essay

1. 2. Steinbeck uses Crooks to line of battle the l starliness of itinerant take shapeers and the power of the dream. The irate way in which he is treated by other characters indicates a strong sense of racial discrimination in the States in the thirties. 3. 4. racial discrimination is an important theme in the novel callable to an excess of diagonal towards black men and women in the States during the 1930s. Crooks is ostracised at the ranch and is a victim of extreme violence be establish of the colour of his skin, Smitty ordinates he would have killed the common racoon He Candy paused in relish of the memory. Candy, who is seemingly a harmless old man relishes the thought of the stable dollar sign being harmed and smiles in savor over the memory. This depicts an America where racism is socially acceptable and is an e actuallyday position with casual degrading racism by referring to Crooks as a spade whose opinion is deemed worthless, If I say something, why its jus t a nigger sayin it- the oppression has caused him to move around angry and at the same time benevolence himself in the idea that his is regarded as inferior.The incident that he begins to pity himself accentuates the rigorousness of the racism, as the effect is 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 constrained to use it out of self-defence. 5. When Lennie inquires as to why Crooks aint wanted, he replies cause Im black They say I stink. The white people act as though it is skanky 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 Steinbecks way of displaying that is not necessary as a white and black man usher out get along well. However the author does this to show us that th e racism is out of ignorance and out of a need for power as the depressive disorder 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 break down 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. Steinbecks intention here is to show the ref that the prejudice is ignorant and raze though he is more scintillating than the white men he is still mistreated, depicting a corporation where racism is integral. 6. 7. 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 bu cks 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 umteen guys suffer the same fate. 8. Although Crooks is mocking of their dream, when Candy notes they got the money right directly he expresses his desire to fare an lend a hand, even though he has reason to doubt their talk of a give rise of their own.This conveys his yearning to belong and the fact that he is beginning to have accepted by other workers sees the start of his dream unfolding. 9. 10. 11. Crooks is used by Steinbeck to follow the extremity of loneliness of itinerant ranch life in America. earlier encountering Crooks we are made aware that at Christmas Smitty took after the nigger covering how he is constantly quick 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 l eft whole 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.12. Steinbeck uses Crooks to bring into perspective the loneliness see by all ranch hands during the depression as they migrate to begin work. A guy needs someone to be near him. A guy goes nuts if he aint got nobodyI 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 allot 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 ru mmy games and decides not to cover the violence against him shows his desperation to be realised as an equal inside 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. 13. 14.15. 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 bump 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 e xtension all blacks are seen as a disgrace. Additionally, the change in attitude towards Crooks by Candy from relishing his perturb to inviting him into the dream is used to show the power of the dream. Riken Shah 11S Show preview whole The above preview is unformatted text This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our GCSE stool Steinbeck section.