QUESTION
How does Steinbeck present the character of Crooks and what is his importance in the novel as a whole?
Introduction
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Name of the author/novel obviously!
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A nod to the setting and place – 1930s, California
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Social/historical context – keep this brief. Prejudice, discrimination. How were black people treated at the time?
 Steinbeck’s' intentions for the reader's view of Crooks – sympathy.
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Crooks as study of loneliness/isolation – link to wider theme.
Main body of essay
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Steinbeck presents Crooks as a sympathetic character. How and why?
Living conditions – find quotations. Permanent role as stable buck on ranch but isolated and kept apart from white men.
Physical appearance – find quotations. Physical suffering and link to his name.
Labelled by 'weakness'/disability.
General demeanour/attitudes – find quotations. Private, defensive, cynical, educated and intelligent.
General position on ranch – fewer rights, segregated from other men, but aware of his rights. Link to the theme of LONELINESS.
Treatment of Crooks by other characters – victim of prejudiced and discriminatory views. What does this highlight about position of black people within society of novel/America at the time Steinbeck was writing?
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Curley's wife – reminds him of the prejudiced and vindictive views of many in society.
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Slim – respectful. Admires Crooks' care and skill with horses. Slim in return defers to him.
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Lennie – interesting response. Lennie's naivety to the racist attitudes of the ranch leads him to invade the privacy of Crooks' room.
Crooks' own attitudes to others and in particular, the dream ranch.
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His hostility to Lennie (initially).
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Then his enjoyment of Lennie's company and what this reveals.
Finally, his initial cynicism about and then interest in the dream ranch.
Conclusion
What does Steinbeck want to highlight/challenge in his portrayal of Crooks? What injustices does he seek to emphasise for the reader? To what extent is Crooks' position similar or particularly different to other characters in the novel? What does Steinbeck seem to suggest that prejudice and loneliness can lead to?
Key words: bitter, cynical, isolated, prejudice, segregation, discrimination, privacy, racist attitudes,