Areesha Charania
Alienation essay
4th period English
The 1930s was a time which discrimination played a role in the lives of minorities. Around this time, many men were rovers, or men who wandered in search of work. These men were often very lonely. In the book Mice and Men, Crooks, a black stable buck, endures alienation due to discrimination. Discrimination also hinders him from any type of success. Despite the hardships, he over comes some obstacles and faces this struggle head on.
On an attempt for his alienation to be broken, Lennie walks into Crooks room “smiled helplessly in an attempt to make friends” (pg 75). At the sight of this Crooks becomes defensive and says, “I ain’t wanted in the bunkhouse and you aren’t wanted in my room… they say I stink” (pg 75). It is obvious that Crooks has not been treated badly. He wants company but he does not really know how to except it or express himself towards it. Suddenly, “Crooks scowled but Lennie’s disarming smile defeated him” (pg 78). This action shows the importance of human contact and through his scowls, Lennie looks over him.
This entire incident shows how Crooks want his loneliness to end. As Lennie entered Crooks room, he slowly began to let his guard down because he needs companionship and friendship with him to share his ideas. Until this point and time, none of the other men had ever been in Crooks room just as he had never been in the bunkhouse. Things that are more ironic bound to happen. After candy enters Crooks room, Curley’s wife comes in the room and tries to come into their conversation.
After the men did not respond to her, she says, “funny thing… if I catch one man, and he’s gone, I get along with him fine. However, just two of the people get together and you will not talk (pg 84). Curley’s wife also gets lonely just like the men are. They do not want any trouble Crooks tells her, “maybe you better go along to your house now, we don’t want no trouble” (pg 84)… you...