Why Is Crooks Unhappy
Loneliness is like a virus; it can eat away people bit by bit gradually. It is a disease that will lead one to depression, or make one turn insane. In the story of Mice and Men, Steinbeck introduces Crooks as an unhappy person who deprived of friendships and happiness, Crooks is also a character that Steinbeck uses to show discrimination of the blacks back in those days. Crooks actions are the results of his emotions. Crooks is unhappy because he holds frustration, humiliation and loneliness. Firstly, Crooks feels frustrated since he is not able to fight the racism that he faces in the ranch.
For example, Crooks is made to be isolated from the white men due to his skin color. Crook is not allowed to go into the bunkhouse where all the white men sleep, “I aren’t wanted in the bunkhouse” (68) because the whites “say I stink” (68). Curley’s wife scorns harshly on Crooks due to his skin color, “She turned on him in scorn. “Listen, Nigger,” she said. “You know what I can do to you if you open your trap?” Crooks seemed to grow smaller, and he pressed himself against the wall. “Yes, ma'am.” “Well, you keep your place then, Nigger. I could get you strung up on a tree so easy it ain't even funny” (80). When Candy tells on the boss that he “gives the stable buck hell” (19), the boss also takes out his anger on Crooks. Crooks is not able to retaliate to racism when the workers call him a “nigger” and he is not able to defend himself when the boss gives him a hard time, Curley’s wife also threatens Crooks, this shows that Curley’s wife has more power than Crooks and also discrimination. In addition, Crooks is humiliated by the workers on the ranch when he is not allowed to socialize with the whites. Crooks is put out to shame when he “can’t play cards” (68) in the bunkhouse with the whites as “they say I stink” (68). He isn’t allowed to take part in daily events with the white people such as “card games”. In the story, the white people often call Crooks a
For example, Crooks is made to be isolated from the white men due to his skin color. Crook is not allowed to go into the bunkhouse where all the white men sleep, “I aren’t wanted in the bunkhouse” (68) because the whites “say I stink” (68). Curley’s wife scorns harshly on Crooks due to his skin color, “She turned on him in scorn. “Listen, Nigger,” she said. “You know what I can do to you if you open your trap?” Crooks seemed to grow smaller, and he pressed himself against the wall. “Yes, ma'am.” “Well, you keep your place then, Nigger. I could get you strung up on a tree so easy it ain't even funny” (80). When Candy tells on the boss that he “gives the stable buck hell” (19), the boss also takes out his anger on Crooks. Crooks is not able to retaliate to racism when the workers call him a “nigger” and he is not able to defend himself when the boss gives him a hard time, Curley’s wife also threatens Crooks, this shows that Curley’s wife has more power than Crooks and also discrimination. In addition, Crooks is humiliated by the workers on the ranch when he is not allowed to socialize with the whites. Crooks is put out to shame when he “can’t play cards” (68) in the bunkhouse with the whites as “they say I stink” (68). He isn’t allowed to take part in daily events with the white people such as “card games”. In the story, the white people often call Crooks a