Crooks the Stable Boy
Crooks comes from such a dark past, encountering racism in his younger years, and racism even in present tense of the book and still manages to keep a relatively nice demeanor. He might seem a little brusque when on his own, as seen when he tells Lennie to leave quite abruptly, and likes to keep to himself. This is understandable, however, as it is obvious that the other people do not treat him very well. He says on page 68 "'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, all of you stink to me." This shows how racism has hardened the stable boy. He is only respected by the non-respected, Candy and Lennie. Even Curley's wife talks down to him. He is an introvert, probably trying to protect himself from getting hurt from all of the people who disrespect him. This is probably the same reason why he said that he didn't want to take part in George, Lennie, and Candy's big plan. Crooks says that he is very lonely in his room for one. Over pages 72-73, it is very apparent that Crooks is very lonely and only wants a friend. He says that he gets very lonely. Everyone needs companionship, as Crooks even says himself. It is very sad that because of racism and discrimination, no one gives him companionship but the not-respected people such as Lennie and Candy. his is so unfortunate because it is obvious that he is a very good person. I could never imagine what it would be like to live in his shoes and Steinbeck does a fantastic job characterizing such a character as Crooks.
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ReplyDeleteThis is really good, however I would have to disagree on some points. I would say that Crooks does not keep "a relatively nice demeanor" most of the time. Even as he was warming up to Lennie, he shot down his dreams of owning land with George and Candy, and trash-talked the other men working on the ranch.
ReplyDeleteHowever you do bring up a good point when reminding us of all that Crooks had to face at that time, (being a black man during the Great Depression.) Something that really stood out to me was when Curly's wife said, "I could get you strung up on a tree it aint even funny." I just think that this comment is so low, for her to even go there. It just reminds me of how insecure she is.
I'm going to make another dog reference here: prepare yourselves :-)
Curly's wife reminds me in some ways of a Chihuahua. They are small animals, who are often regarded as "cute" and "precious" (although to be honest I think they look like squirrels) and are often scooped up. This makes them very insecure, so they start to bark and bite, and eventually can become aggressive.
I think that Curly's wife is fed up with being the cute wife. She has made despairing comments about the men thinking of her as a girl. I believe that certain things set her of, certain topics hit a little too close to home, and that's when she "bites". Right before she yells at Crooks, he had yelled at her and told her to stop "messin' around". I think that this made her uncomfortable, that maybe she had been a little too friendly with the men, and needed to put one in his place. So she picked the easiest one, the one farthest down on the totem pole: Crooks.
I agree not only with the racism but with hoe crooks must feel so lonely. I almost understand how crooks really feels because, my two older sisters are connected at the hip. I understand that he probably wants to join in but not a lot pf people will listen to him. Back to the racist topics brought up, it must have felt awful to be as Dilyn said "respected by only the un-respected people", that sounds awful. I fell that crooks and Lennie could become friends later on, considering how a like they are, both lonely and just want a friend. It doesn't matter even if they have a friend, just a person that will listen.
ReplyDeleteI agree with both of you. Crooks is very brusque some of the time, mostly when people try to come into his barn area. But that is fair, because he isn't allowed in there sleeping area. I would not want to be in his shoes, and encounter racism at a younger age. I agree with you, Ashley, when you talked about how Curley's wife says some harsh things to him. Your reference to a Chihuahia was perfect! There is a lot of evidence throughout the first four chapters of the book that show how she is done being the "pretty wife". When she gets insecure and uncomfterable, she gets aggresive and yells at people. I agree, Steinbeck does a great job of describing Crooks and his home.
ReplyDeleteI pretty much agree with all of you. I also think that Crooks comes off in kind of a brusque manner because he knows where his place is at the ranch. He is aware that he is last in the hierarchy, and he knows that he shouldn't mingle with the other men. I don't really know what a word to describe Crook's personality, but I don't think that he is nice or mean. I think that Crooks is conscious of where his place is at the ranch.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with what everyone said about Curley's Wife. I think that she is fed up of being the, "cute wife," but the way that she is trying to get rid of the title isn't working. Parts of what Curley's Wife says is reality for the men, but I don't think the way she is coming to them will make them listen.
On page 80, Curley's Wife told Lennie, "O.K., Machine. I'll talk to you later. I like machines." I wonder if this foreshadows that there will be a significant encounter between Lennie and Curley's Wife. I think so because Curley's Wife told Lennie that she will talk with him later.
I also agree, crooks obviously knew he was a different skin color and now everyone is making fun of him for it. Curleys wife had no right to say any of those things because not only did she make fun of crooks for his back, but she made fun of Candy for her age, and Lennie for his stupidity. I feel really bad for crooks and I think someone should stick up for him and say something to Curley's wife because she is getting way to rude and needs to own up to what she has done. Even though the boys in the story adore Curley's wife I think one person should say at least something.
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