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Copy of Copy of Of Mice and Men Chapter 4_ Fears a

The document analyzes the character Crooks from Chapter 4 of 'Of Mice and Men,' focusing on his fears of prejudice and violence. It highlights key quotes that illustrate his experiences with racism and his desire for connection despite societal barriers. The response also explores Crooks' facade of independence and how others perceive him, ultimately emphasizing the tragic nature of his character in the context of discrimination.

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9 views

Copy of Copy of Of Mice and Men Chapter 4_ Fears a

The document analyzes the character Crooks from Chapter 4 of 'Of Mice and Men,' focusing on his fears of prejudice and violence. It highlights key quotes that illustrate his experiences with racism and his desire for connection despite societal barriers. The response also explores Crooks' facade of independence and how others perceive him, ultimately emphasizing the tragic nature of his character in the context of discrimination.

Uploaded by

analysis.datastats
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Name: Horace Ho American Literature

Of Mice and Men Chapter 4: Fears and Facades

Step One - Prep

Choose one of the following characters:


● Crooks ● Candy
● Lennie ● Curley’s Wife

Review your character’s actions and dialogue in Chapter 4.

Step Two - Written Response

Character: Crooks

Two key quotes involving your character:


● "They play cards in there, but I can't play because I'm black. They say I stink." (Crooks

conveys the theme of prejudice because of his race and the injustice he has to face.)

● white kids come to play at our place, an' sometimes I went to play with them, and some

of them was pretty nice."(Crooks is reminiscent of the times where he wasn't judged or

prejudiced because of his race as children are innocent and unaware of society's

prejudices.)

Short Answer:
Answer the following questions in complete sentences. Be sure to reference the text (directly or
indirectly) to back up your answer.

What is your character afraid of?


Crooks is afraid of two things. First, he angered Lennie with his cruel game and hinted to him
that George was gone forever. We both knew that Lennie was a mentally handicapped person,
but a gigantic and physically strong man. When Lennie heard the fake news (refer to Crook's
voice) of George's departure, he threatened Crooks with physical violence. This is the first thing
Crooks worry about the most. The second part is a person Crooks who wants to interact with
other people (but in fact, his race makes him different in his treatment of other white workers).
Crooks worried that he was black and knew what others thought of him. He was afraid of taking
risks and was always unsure of how to treat others.

Is your character conscious of this fear?


Yes, when he was going to be beaten by Lennie, he noticed this fear might cause him feeling
bad and then he just changed his voice which would make Lennie feel better. He was afraid that
Lennie would beat him. Also, he was really self-independent and did not chat with others. He
Name: Horace Ho American Literature

was afraid that nobody would want to talk with him. He wanted to join the talk with other
laborers, that he wanted to start to make friends and welcome Lennie into his room. Although at
the beginning, he recalled that blacks were not allowed to enter whites' rooms (rules), and he
stated that whites could not enter his territory (the residence of blacks).

Reference:
● (Page 72 hardcopy) Crooks saw the danger as it approached him. He edged back on his
bunk to get out of the way. "I was just supposin'," he said. "George ain't hurt. He's all
right. He'll be back all right."
● (Page 68 hardcopy)"Well, I got a right to have a light. You go on get outta my room. I
ain't wanted in the bunk house, and you ain't wanted in my room."
"Why ain't you wanted?" Lennie asked.
"'Cause I'm black. They play cards in there, but I can't play because I'm black. They say
I stink. Well, I tell you, you all of you stink to me."

Do they assign blame for this fear?


No, Crooks conveys the theme of prejudice because of his race and the injustice he has to face.
He did not do anything weird and challenge the regulation at the time he lived, even though he
lived in different places between himself and other laborers. And he did agree that he is a
person of color and cannot join the “white group”.

Reference:
● "Cause I'm black. They play cards there, but I can't play because I'm black. They say I
stink. Well, I tell you, you all of you stink to me."

What type of facade (outward appearance) does your character create to deal with their
fear?
I think Crooks will be a grim and independent guy, because of his thought, his race, and the
injustice he has to face. He is the only black labor on the farm, so he usually uses impersonal
behavior (stand further) to face different things. The main rule he created which he didn't allow
others (white laborers) to come to his room (dirty and small living space). He, like Candy,
realizes that if he is no longer useful, that he will be "thrown out." However, when he faced the
boss's son Curley, even his wife (Curley's wife), Crooks would use cowardly voice talking and
making conversations.

Reference:
● Ever'body! An' what am I doin'? Standin' here talkin' to a bunch of bindle stiffs-a nigger
an' a dumdum and a lousy of sheep-n' Orin' it because they ain't nobody else."
(hardcopy, P79) Crooks didn’t fight against Curley’s wife at all and he was
supposed to hear N Words.

How do others react to your character’s facade?


At the beginning of chapter 4, Lennie wants to make friends with Crooks. Crooks did not allow
Lennie to his room in the beginning because he thought he, as a black man, is not allowed in
Name: Horace Ho American Literature

white men’s houses, then whites are not allowed in his. He wants to hunger to have a friend, so
he welcomes Lennie to his room. Because of Lennie, he feels he can join with others. But
actually, he just wants to attack those who are even weaker than him (Lennie). But in the same
chapter, Curley’s wife came to his room and accused him as a useless guy, he disempowered
quickly. We can conclude that Crooks is a weak person, but he tries his best to attack others
who are weaker than him.

How do your character’s motivations and actions resonate with you? (Do you empathize
with them?)
In the past, discrimination was really severe. People of color could not be treated equal to white
people. Crooks was just a tragic person, he also thought the color people cannot join with white
groups. He wants to have friends, so he invited Lennie to come to his room.
He attacked Lennie and lied to him, unless Lennie will beat him, he just changed his voice. This
can show that the society is dangerous, weak people will be killed by stronger people.

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