Crooks Flashcards
3-4 Main topics in relation to Crooks
Treatment of Crooks
Loneliness of Crooks
Crooks and the Dream
Disability of Crooks
Essay introduction of Crooks: What is the significance of Crooks character i.e why does Steinbeck use him?
Steinbeck uses Crooks to show the impact of racism on black citizens in 1930 America especially during the time of the great depression where arguably black people were affected the most.
Steinbeck explores how the colour of Crooks’ skin impacts his loneliness, dreams and treatments.
Treatment of Crooks
Crook’s portrayal in relation to structure of book?
- It is structurally significant that Crooks is properly introduced in section 4 whereas all the other characters have been introduced already
- perhaps it mimics society in the 1930s when the book was set.
Treatment of Crooks
How were black people treated in society
Link this with context in society
Black people were treated as second class citizens. This is shown through the Jim Crow Laws which enforced segregation.
Treatment of Crooks
What was different about Crooks from other men in society. How was he “better”?
Link to racism
- Educated unlike other men
- not valued because he is black
Treatment of Crooks
His living conditions? What does this show?
Include 2 quotes
He lives segregated alone in a “little shed” away from the bunkhouse with a “manure pile” beneath his windows - shown he is treated like an animal rather than a person.
Treatment of Crooks
How does candy describe the boss?
What does this show about candy and society as a whole?
How does crooks get treated specific to this example.
Candy describes the boss as a “nice fella” although he gives Crooks “hell”.
Candy is desensitised to the treatment of black people in 1930s america since racism was the norm back then
Due to Crooks race he is seen as the punching bag - gets punished for others wrongdoings.
Treatment of Crooks
Give an extreme example of the racist treatment of crooks
Link this to context
Crooks was threatened to be lynched by Curley’s wife because he told her to leave. “strung up”
This incident references the Ku Klux Klan, a racist organisation in America which has a history of murdering black people, normally through linching.
Treatment of Crooks
Explain Steinbecks intentions through the treatment of Crooks
3 things
- Steinbeck is critisising the unfair treatment of black people in the 1930s.
- Steinbeck is raising awareness of an important issue in society at the time through crooks
- Steinbeck evokes sympathy in the audience
Loneliness of Crooks Sentence opener What phrase does Crooks repeat? What does this emphasise in relation to Crooks? How does Crooks show his pride?
Steinbeck highlights the effect of loneliness through crooks and explores how the colour of his skin causes him to be lonely.
Crooks repeats the phrase “ain’t wanted” emphasising the impact of racial segregation on Crooks.
He isn’t wanted purely because he is black.
He then says to Lennie that because Crooks is not wanted Lennie “ain’t wanted” showing Crooks has pride
Loneliness of Crooks
What do we first learn about Crooks due to his initial encounter with Lennie? How does he treat Lennie upon first meeting?
What does the reader discover about crooks personality -what is he and why?
Crooks is a relatively cantankerous man because of his marginalized status and initially treats Lennie with scorn when he first enters.
Reader discover that that crooks pessimistic personality as a result of his loneliness and grief.
cantankerous -bad-tempered, argumentative, and uncooperative.
Loneliness of Crooks
What does crooks mention about companionship when talking to lennie?
Mention one quote
How does he make the reader feel about his treatment towards Lennie?
He later says to Lennie “a guy needs somebody near him” emphasising his longing for companionship. Crooks character evokes sympathy in the reader he is cruel to Lennie to feel like he is not treated worse for once.
Loneliness of Crooks
What is Steinbeck highlighting through the loneliness of Crooks?
Steinbeck is showing the importance of male friendships and general companionship.
Steinbeck is highlighting how much loneliness can impact someones mental health. Highlighting issues of racism.
Crooks and the dream
When does steinbeck highlight crooks loneliness in relation to the dream?
Crooks’ loneliness reveals only for a moment in his expression of longing to be part of the ranch with Lennie, George and candy.
Crooks and the dream
What does Crooks offer to George in relation to the dream?
Why?
What does this show about him?
Crooks offers to work for nothing to be a part of this community showing it is not money that he wants he just wants to be wanted and part of something; he doesn’t want to be lonely.
This shows as much as Crooks accepts his loneliness he would do anything to end it.
