Crooks Flashcards
Why is Crooks presented as one of the ‘mice’ as opposed to the ‘men’?
because he’s challenged by being black and disabled, and he’s treated as an animal
What quote is used to convey that racism was an important issue in the 1930s?
“the negro stable buck”
What does Crooks dream of?
Freedom and dignity
What is Crooks presented to experience?
The fate of millions of black men - poverty, i’ll-treatment, and loneliness
Why does Crooks experience extreme prejudice?
Because of his race and disability
How does Crooks treatment connect with the Jim Crow laws?
His room is separated from the others - ‘A little shed that leaned off the wall of the barn’.
What does the location and bedding of his house say about his treatment?
He’s treated and viewed as an animal
What does Crooks have by his house that implies he lives with the animals?
‘A manure pile under the window’
What does the name ‘Crooks’ connect to?
His crooked back and a crook
What quote shows Crooks is mistreated even when it’s nothing to do with him?
“The boss gives him hell when he’s mad”
Why does Crooks twist the situation with Lennie?
To expert dominance over him because he doesn’t usually have any power over anyone
What quote is used to show Crooks attempt to have power over Lennie?
“They’ll take ya to the booby hatch. They’ll tie ya with a collar, like a dog.”
What quote used by Curley’s Wife shows she used her little power to convey her dominance over Crooks?
“I could get you strung up on a tree so easy it ain’t even funny”
Why does Crooks believe Curley’s Wife’s words, even though she too has little power?
Because a white persons words would always be believed over a black person in 1930s America
What quotes show that Crooks is aware that he’s not welcome near the other men?
“the stable buck put in his head”
What quote shows Crooks is used as entertainment occasionally?
“They let the nigger come in that night”
Why does Crooks read books?
Because he hasn’t got much els to or anyone els to talk to
“Crooks was a proud, aloof man”. What does this suggest?
He has no choice but to endure the prejudice and isolation
What quote shows he bitterly guards his enforced privacy?
“This here’s my room… I ain’t wanted in the bunkhouse, and you ain’t wanted in my room.”
Which three quotes are used that suggest he regretted the way he taunted Lennie?
“A guy needs somebody - to be near him”. “A guy gets too lonely”. “A guy sets alone out here at night.”
‘His body was bent over to the left by his crooked spine”. What does this suggest?
He’s forced to bend down, unlike Candy’s disability, which is symbolic of his humble rank amidst his white counterparts.
What is Crooks’ descriptions?
“Pain-tightened lips”. “deep black wrinkles”. “deep-set eyes”.
What does the way Crooks is described as indicate to?
His emotional pain and the social muteness that this has caused
What quote is used when saying he understands his own rights, but can only demand the right to his own space?
“He kept his distance, and demanded that other people kept theirs”
What quote is used to suggest Crooks is initially cornful of the dream?
“I seen hundreds of men come by on the road… an’ every damn one of ‘em’s got a little piece of land in his head.”
What does the quote “Nobody never gets heaven, and nobody never gets no land” suggest?
He compares human hopes with religious beliefs, saying the search for land is like the search for heaven.
What does that fact that Crooks’ offer for work on the dream ranch isn’t material say about him?
He simply wants companionship and equality
What does he offer to the dream? (quote)
“If you… guys would want a hand to work for nothing-just his keep, why i’d come an’ lend a hand. I ain’t so crippled i can’t work like a son-of-a-bitch if i want to.”
What does the quote “Well keep your place, Nigger” make him realise?
The dream is nothing more than a fantasy and he withdraws his offer of help on the farm.
What quote is used to show his reconsideration?
“Member what i said about hoein… just’ forget it, I didn’t mean it.. Just foolin’.”
How does Steinbeck present Crooks’ weakness?
As an under-dog and failure who is unable to challenge the fate which society has chosen for him.
What themes has Steinbeck weaved through the character of Crooks?
Powerlessness and suppression
