character studies ( crooks) Flashcards
how is crooks weak
“crooks had reduced himself to nothing. There was no personality, no ego - nothing to arouse either like or dislike.”
list - lost all power
metaphor - tries to disappear
how is crooks lonley
lives separated from the other men. Candy tells us at christmas, Crooks was allowed to join them. “ They let the nigger come out that night.”
adjective - crooks isn’t seen as a person
profane language - he is treated like an animal
how is crooks brave
“ You got no rights coming in a coloured man’s room.”
adverb - determination to defend himself
how is crooks oppressed
“ a mauled copy of the california civil code for 1905.”
adjective - reflects racism in 1930s
how is crooks defensive AND angry
“ Crooks said sharply, ‘ you got no right to come in my room. This here’s my room. Nobody got a right to come in here but me.”
adverb - without hesitation
repition - only place he has control (1930s racism)
how is crooks cruel
“spose george don’t come back no more. spose he took a powder and just ain’t coming back. what’ll you do then ?”
repition - tries to frighten lennie and shows his vulnerability
how is crooks hopeful
“…if you…guys would want a hand to work for nothing - just his keep, why id come and lend a hand.”
pause - doesn’t want to intrude
repition of pauses - can’t contain his excitement
how is crooks hopeless
“ well just forget it, said crooks. i didn’t mean it. jus fooling. i wouldn’t want to go no place like that.”
short sentence - given up
dramatic irony - we know he isn’t fooling
how is crooks disabled
“ Got a crooked back where a horse kicked him. the boss gives him hell when he’s mad.”
metaphor - he is treated harsh
adjective - unimaginable pain
