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Alienation And Discrimination: Of Mice And Men

The 1930s was a time period in which racial discrimination played a vital role in the lives of minorities.
Around this time period many men were rovers, or men who wandered in search of work. These men were often very
lonely. In John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, Crooks, a black stable buck, endures alienation due to racial
discrimination. Racial discrimination also hinders him from any type of success. Despite the hardships, he overcomes
these obstacles and faces this struggle head on.
Forced into isolationism, due to segregation, alienation becomes Crooks' companion. On an attempt for his
alienation to be broken, Lennie walks into Crooks' room "smiled helplessly in an attempt to make friends" (75).
At the sight of this Crooks becomes defensive and declares, "I ain't wanted in the bunkhouse and you ain't wanted
in my room...They say I stink"(75). It is obvious that Crooks has 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"(76). This action shows the importance of human contact and though he scowls, Lennie looks
over him. 1this entire incident shows how Crooks wants his loneliness to end. As Lennie entered Crooks room he
(Crooks) slowly began to let his guard down because he needs companionship and friendship with others to share
his ideas. Until this point ant time none of the other men had ever been in Crooks' room just as he had never been
in the bunkhouse. More ironic incidents are bound to happen.
After Candy enters Crooks' room, Curley's wife enters the room also and tries to hold a conversation with
the three men. After the men do not respond to her she states, "Funny thing... If I catch one man, and he's alone, I
get along with him fine. But just two of the guys get together and you won't talk"(84). Curley's wife is also very
lonely (just as the men are). The men do not want any trouble so Crooks tells her,...