Crooks

Question 1

“Cause I’m black” - Crooks

Answer 1

1. Blunt response from crooks without hesitation.
2. Highlights how society has taught him that the one and only reason for him being unwanted is because of his skin colour.

Question 2

“I was born right here in southern California”

Answer 2

1. Reflects on the roots of Crooks’ cultural identity; he is just as Californian as anyone else.
2. Crooks is providing himself with a sense of belonging because society pushes him away.

Question 3

“had his bunk in the harness room”

Answer 3

1. Highlights how he is segregated.

Question 4

“he was more permanent than the other men”

Answer 4

1. The ranch is Crooks’ permanent home.
2. He is not an itinerate worker- harder to find employment as a black man.

Question 5

“The white kids come to play at our place”

Answer 5

1. “Kids” underlines how racism is taught.
2. The children are too young to understand that they shouldn’t respect black people.

Question 6

“You got no right to come in my room”

Answer 6

1. The societal animosity directed towards crooks because of his skin colour has resulted in him adopting a reciprocal antagonism.
2. He has developed this defensive hostility to protect himself.

Question 7

“I tell ya, I tell ya a guy gets too lonely an’ he gets sick”