The Character Crook from Steinbeck's Novel

The extract I have chosen is from the beginning of chapter four and

stretches from page 71 to page 73. This extract gives a detailed

description of Crooks, his room and his possessions.

The extract I have chosen is from the beginning of chapter four and

stretches from page 71 to page 73. This extract gives a detailed

description of Crooks, his room and his possessions. The entrance of

Lennie into Crooks´ room and the development of their relationship

throughout the scene is shown. At the beginning of the extract Lennie

is not welcomed into Crooks´ room, but at the end they begin to

befriend each other.

I chose this extract because it provides us with excellent examples of

descriptions, dialogue, themes, relationships and vocabulary and

language in relation to the social status of certain characters. There

is an authorial judgement of Crooks and the introduction of Crooks

into the novel. Also, Steinbeck´s style is demonstrated very well.

The descriptions in the extract reflect the style of Steinbeck as he

lists Crooks´ possessions in a simple way inorder for the reader to

understand the bareness of Crooks´ life. This includes 'a mauled copy

of the California civil code for 1905.´ This along with his

'gold-rimmed spectacles´ gives the impression that Crooks is educated

and conscious of his rights. The civil code further emphasises the

theme of prejudice and racism; also it is proof that he is not a

"Southern negro".

On page 71, Steinbeck makes an authorial judgement of Crooks, he says,

'Crooks was a proud, aloof man. Steinbeck does this to summarise

Crooks as a character in a short space of time instead of describing

Crooks subtleley throughout the novel. This is because 'Of Mice and

Men´ is a sho...

... middle of paper ...

... the

harness room with Crooks and Lennie.

One of the main themes in this extract is the ambition and dream of

George, Lennie, Candy and Crooks. However, further on in the novel

Steinbeck uses presage to portray the realism of the story. These

pre-cursors include the death of animals, the mouse and snake and the

death of Curley´s wife and Lennie and so the death of the dream.

Steinbeck creates the character of Curley´s wife to demonstrate

presage and impermanence. Curley´s wife is a symbol of transience, as

she is not even given a name. Also, Whit demonstrates the impermanence

of the novel as he is present for a very short space of time.

The extract I have chosen is an excellent example of the themes

Steinbeck deals with and the literary techniques he uses. Also, this

extract is similar to many in 'Of Mice and Men´ and so summarises the

novel very well.