“Crooks’ face lighted with pleasure in his torture [of Lennie]” – p. 71
At first this made me strongly dislike Crooks! BUT, after reading on, Steinbeck made it clear WHY Crooks was toying with Lennie about George not returning. Discuss your interpretations of this…
Crooks was pleased with his "torture" of Lennie because Lennie got to sort-of experience what it was like to be in Crooks' situation. Crooks was trying to see how another person would feel if they were in his position, with nobody to talk to. Crooks made Lennie think that George got hurt in town or he wouldn't come back. Lennie was pretty positive that niether of that would happen but Crooks was starting to convince him. Lennie started to get scared of Crooks because he kept saying that George was going to leave him but then, Crooks assured him that George was okay and would be back soon.
I completely agree. Crooks was taking advantage of Lennie by making him feel bad and worried that George wasn't coming back. I think that once Crooks realized the Lennie is very childish and strong he assured him the George was fine.
ReplyDelete"Crooks saw the danger as it approached him. He edged back on his bunk to get out of the way." At this point Crooks is scared that Lennie might hurt him. Also in this quote Crooks refers to Lennie as 'it' as if he was a monster or beast. After Crooks wanted Lennie to "S'pose you didn't have nobody". I think Crooks sees that Lennie is only there because of George and if he didn't have anyone Lennie would be rejected like Crooks is.
I agree with both of you. Crooks was completely taking advantage of Lennie's cluelessness and making Lennie feel worried and angry. I think after spending that time with Lennie, he gained more respect for George too, because George watched over Lennie.
ReplyDeleteI think Curley's wife might be using Curley to her advantage when she was in Crooks' cabin. She came up with lame excuses and used Curley's power when Crooks told her to leave. I think she will use her social status, and possibly Lennie's cluelessness later on in the book. Maybe in Part 5?