Of Mice And Men Crooks Chapter 5 Analysis
“Read and annotate the passage and write about how Steinbeck uses details to present Crooks in this extract. Explain the importance of what the reader learns here in terms of the novel as a whole”
In the first four paragraphs of Chapter four, the reader is already aware of how lonely and broken, both physically and mentally, Crooks is. However, he is clever and proud. Crooks, “the negro stable buck” is restricted from communicating with the other workers as he had “his bunk in the harness room" which means that he is isolated from the other workers. The fact that he is the only black worker on the ranch shows him to be of some insignificance, meaning that he is not important enough to have a living space separated from the working environment. The way he is so ostracised results in his lonesomeness; he resents this.
The beginning of the second paragraph of Chapter four informs the reader of Crook’s possessions and their significance to his individual qualities. It becomes clear that he owns “a big alarm clock, and a single-barrelled shot-gun”, the fact that he owns an alarm clock could suggest that he likes to be on time and is always cautious and aware of his surroundings. The single-barrelled shot-gun implies that he feels the need to protect himself …show more content…
and that he lives in constant danger.
There are many aspects of Crooks personality that shine through within the chapter.
He owns “a mauled copy of the California civil code for 1905” which insinuates that he is interested in his rights however, they are outdated and not of great use; much the same as his “battered magazines”. In addition to this it is evident from the fact that he “kept his distance and demanded that other people kept theirs” that he prefers to keep himself to himself; this could be because he knows that when in other people’s company it may bring racism and prejudice. It could also imply that he is scared to trust people. The verb ‘demanded’ is harsh and shows that he is very keen to let people know not to get into his
business.
Furthermore, a physical description of Crooks is given and allows the reader to learn even more about his character. His “pain-tightened lips” could give the impression that he has lead a life of discomfort and perhaps he isn’t the nicest of men. After this, it becomes obvious from the “sound of moving horses” that the other workers on the ranch have left for town, however yet again Crooks has been segregated and was not able to join them. The only thing that he is able to do is stay in his bunk, this tells us that he is not accepted in the society. The imagery of “a small electric globe threw a meagre yellow light” also highlights his loneliness, the contrast on the faint, still light within the barn and the dynamic noises in the dark outside create a sense of rejection and abandonment.
Crooks’ solitude can be understood through his broken nature. It is mentioned earlier within the chapter that he has a broken back and many items within his room are damaged as well, such as the “broken harness”, “split collar” and “broken hame”; all of which represent Crooks. He too is a broken part of society in which nobody cares for.
What the reader learns about Crooks from this extract from Chapter four is important for the novel as a whole because it allows them to know of his nature, personality and how he is treated within the ranch. He is portrayed as a man who seems to be well structured and organised, since he keeps his room tidy at all times. He is the only ranch worker who has his own room, though not out of his personal choice. Also, he is aloof and appears to take pleasure in being unaccompanied. This comes as a consequence of being constantly pushed away by the rest of the workers due to the colour of his skin; they just do not seem to bond with him, or he with them. As a result of this, Crooks has developed a defensive manner which makes him rough, irritable, and seemingly pleased to be an outsider. Thus, the reader has an idea of what to expect later on in the novel if any of the other men were to approach him and furthers their understanding of how on the ranch, personalities may clash and the men are for themselves.
In the first four paragraphs of Chapter four, the reader is already aware of how lonely and broken, both physically and mentally, Crooks is. However, he is clever and proud. Crooks, “the negro stable buck” is restricted from communicating with the other workers as he had “his bunk in the harness room" which means that he is isolated from the other workers. The fact that he is the only black worker on the ranch shows him to be of some insignificance, meaning that he is not important enough to have a living space separated from the working environment. The way he is so ostracised results in his lonesomeness; he resents this.
The beginning of the second paragraph of Chapter four informs the reader of Crook’s possessions and their significance to his individual qualities. It becomes clear that he owns “a big alarm clock, and a single-barrelled shot-gun”, the fact that he owns an alarm clock could suggest that he likes to be on time and is always cautious and aware of his surroundings. The single-barrelled shot-gun implies that he feels the need to protect himself …show more content…
and that he lives in constant danger.
There are many aspects of Crooks personality that shine through within the chapter.
He owns “a mauled copy of the California civil code for 1905” which insinuates that he is interested in his rights however, they are outdated and not of great use; much the same as his “battered magazines”. In addition to this it is evident from the fact that he “kept his distance and demanded that other people kept theirs” that he prefers to keep himself to himself; this could be because he knows that when in other people’s company it may bring racism and prejudice. It could also imply that he is scared to trust people. The verb ‘demanded’ is harsh and shows that he is very keen to let people know not to get into his
business.
Furthermore, a physical description of Crooks is given and allows the reader to learn even more about his character. His “pain-tightened lips” could give the impression that he has lead a life of discomfort and perhaps he isn’t the nicest of men. After this, it becomes obvious from the “sound of moving horses” that the other workers on the ranch have left for town, however yet again Crooks has been segregated and was not able to join them. The only thing that he is able to do is stay in his bunk, this tells us that he is not accepted in the society. The imagery of “a small electric globe threw a meagre yellow light” also highlights his loneliness, the contrast on the faint, still light within the barn and the dynamic noises in the dark outside create a sense of rejection and abandonment.
Crooks’ solitude can be understood through his broken nature. It is mentioned earlier within the chapter that he has a broken back and many items within his room are damaged as well, such as the “broken harness”, “split collar” and “broken hame”; all of which represent Crooks. He too is a broken part of society in which nobody cares for.
What the reader learns about Crooks from this extract from Chapter four is important for the novel as a whole because it allows them to know of his nature, personality and how he is treated within the ranch. He is portrayed as a man who seems to be well structured and organised, since he keeps his room tidy at all times. He is the only ranch worker who has his own room, though not out of his personal choice. Also, he is aloof and appears to take pleasure in being unaccompanied. This comes as a consequence of being constantly pushed away by the rest of the workers due to the colour of his skin; they just do not seem to bond with him, or he with them. As a result of this, Crooks has developed a defensive manner which makes him rough, irritable, and seemingly pleased to be an outsider. Thus, the reader has an idea of what to expect later on in the novel if any of the other men were to approach him and furthers their understanding of how on the ranch, personalities may clash and the men are for themselves.