Crooks and Lennie's Discussion

In part four, we learn a lot more about the character Crooks. In the middle the chapter, Crooks scared Lennie into thinking that George was never coming back. Crooks tries to make Lennie understand how lonely he is by saying,"'S'pose George don't come back no more" (71). This made Lennie very mad and scared something happened to him, and becomes very protective of George, though George usually protects Lennie. "Suddenly Lennie's eyes centered and grew quiet, and mad" (72). Once he saw Lennie get mad, Crooks immediately says George will come back, and he starts talking about his past.

I think Crooks did this because he was lonely, and he wanted to share his pain with Lennie. And he wants someone like George. He doesn't have anyone with him just because is a different colored skin, and no one wants to share a room with him. While he was talking about himself, he says how he "Had two brothers. They was always near me, always there. Used to sleep right in the same room, right in the same bed----all three" (73). I believe he wants Lennie to be his friend, because he tells him all about his past and his problems, he tells him, "'Cause I'm black. They play cards in there, but I can't play because I'm black" (68), he also lets him in his room, which he hasn't done with anyone else, even Candy says he has never been in here, "'I been here a long time,' he said. 'An' Crooks been here a long time. This's the first time I ever been in his room" (75). But when Lennie asked to come in because no one else is at the ranch, "Crooks scowled, but Lennie's disarming smile defeated him. 'Come on in and set a while,' Crooks said" (69). Maybe Crooks wants some company himself. Crooks also tells Lennie about how lonely he is, "A guy sets alone out here at night...Maybe if he sees somethin', he don't know whether it's right or not. He can't turn to some other guy and ast him if he sees it too" (73). Crooks wants any person to be his friend.
 
Even though Crooks and Curley's wife don't seem to be alike, they are. Crooks is lonely, just like Curly's wife. Crooks wants a friend, and Curley's wife wants someone to talk to. She says "'Well, I ain't giving you no trouble. Think I don't like to talk to somebody ever' once in a while? Think I like to  stick in that house alla time?"' (77). I believe Crooks thinks the same thing, but won't admit it to anyone, and that's why he let Lennie and Candy in his house. Both African Americans and women were treated unfairly during those times.

When Candy comes in and tells Lennie that he has an idea for the rabbits, and he actually finds out they have money stored away for a piece of land, he says "'I never seen a guy really do it,' he said. 'I seen guys nearly crazy with loneliness for land...He hesitated '...If you...guys would want a hand to work for nothing---just his keep, why I'd come an' lend a hand" (76). I think Crooks, just like Candy, is excited to get out of this ranch.

But at the very end, he tells Candy "'Well, jus' forget it,' said Crooks. 'I didn' mean it. Jus' foolin'. I wouldn' want to go no place like that"' (83). I think Crooks doesn't think they will really be able to get the land because it has never been done before, or maybe he thinks because he has a different colored skin, they won't let him come. He's never been treated fairly, or let in on anything, so why this time.