Of Mice and Men Chapter 4 1. The chapter opens with a detailed description of Crooks room.

It is neat and full of his personal possessions. This is more of a home than the bunk house because Crooks is more permanent than the other workers due to his disability. 2. Some of his possessions suggest he is a man of learning he had books, too; a tattered dictionary and a mauled copy of the California civil code for 1905. He is aware of his rights. 3. He is proud and aloof because he has learned to be this way due to the years of racial abuse. He suffers alone and in silence. 4. His pain tightened lips suggest suffering. 5. Crooks is annoyed at Lennies interruption , he is not used to visitors. 6. He reacts angrily. You got no right to come in my room. This heres my room. Nobody got any right in here but me. 7. His anger and pride is a defence against the harsh treatment he has been used to. 8. At first Crooks is aloof but gradually he realises that Lennie is not a threat because his manner is open and not prejudiced. 9. Crooks reveals information about his childhood when he played with white kids and was unaware of prejudice. 10. Crooks understands companionship. Its just bein with another guy. Thats all. 11. Crooks taunts Lennie with the idea that George might not return for him. He seems to get pleasure in making Lennie feel the loneliness he feels. 12. Maybe you can see now. You got George. 13. Books aint no good. A guy needs somebody to be near him. Crooks knows that when men get lonely they get sick. 14. He remembers a happy childhood with the companionship of his brothers. 15. When Candy appears Crooks is at first irritable but then he appears quite pleased that he wants to join them. 16. Crooks is not convinced about the dream at first. I seen too many guys with land in their head. They never get none under their hand. 17. Candy protests Sure they all want it. This American Dream is a central theme in the book. The men aspired to owning their own piece of land so that they could gain status, incentive and status. 18. They seem so near to their dream- this contributes to the sense of tragedy. 19. Crooks becomes drawn into the same dream. 20. Curleys wife appears. She is described sensuously but really she is desperately lonely and looking for some companionship. 21. She admits that she does not like Curley. 22. Her manner has different effects on the men; Lennie watches her fascinated, Crooks retires into the terrible protective dignity of the Negro and Candy gains the confidence to attack her. 23. She retaliates and Lennie becomes very worried. 24. Curleys wifes behaviour is aggressive here. She destroys the growing confidence in the men.This paves the way for the destruction of Lennie. 25. Growing tension as she congratulates Lennie on his attack on her husband. Note- the horses are displaying unrest reacting to the dangerous atmosphere.