Rachit Singh

Of Mice and Men Essay

Point by Point
11/14/11

"Oh, my friend, it's not what they take away from you that counts.  It's what you do with
what you have left." ~ Hubert Humphrey.

Throughout the book Of Mice and Men, the greatest contrast between the Negro stable
buck Crooks and Lennie is one of perspective. Although both are limited by circumstances and
others, their approach to life is different. Guided by different views, they have a diverse spectrum
of attitudes.

Both Lennie and Crooks are powerless over much of what they do. When confronted by
Curly's wife, "Crooks seemed to grow smaller," (80) and "there was no personality, no ego,"
(81). He is bound by the singular fact that he is black and that does not have the same rights or
powers that a white man would have. It is clear that Lennie is also constrained by his fear of
displeasing George, as he shows near the end of the novel: "You ain't gonna leave me, are ya,
George? I know you ain't," (103).

At the same time, they each want what any human being wants: companionship and
friends. Crooks is lonely and abandoned, and, in spite of the fact that his initial response is cold,
"Lennie's disarming smile defeated him. 'Come in and set a while,' " (69). Lennie, too, is excited
by the prospect of a companion other than George, and "smiled helplessly in an attempt to make
friends," (68).

While they are similar in some respects, they are also clearly different. Lennie, while
subject to George's commands, is also a free person to have contact with others. He "...[was]
following the conversation back and forth with his eyes," (34). In contrast, Crooks "ain't wanted
in the bunkhouse," (68). He is an utter outcast from others, though he longs for companionship,
"just bein' with another guy," (71).

Lennie is clearly hopeful for the future, "because I got you to look after me, and you got
me to look after you, and that's why, " (14). He believes throughout the novel that "...[they're]
gonna have alfalfa for the rabbits," (73). Crooks is made of tougher stuff though, as he has seen
"hundreds of men come by on the road an' on the ranches, ... they come, an' they quit an' go on;
an' every damn one of 'em's got a little piece of land in his head... nobody never gets to heaven,
Rachit Singh
Of Mice and Men Essay
Point by Point
11/14/11

and nobody gets no land," (74). He does not believe it is possible, though he hedges his bets just
in case, "[he] ain't so crippled I can't work like a son-of-a-bitch if [he] wants to," (76).

Lennie and Crooks are clearly different, both in circumstance and in character, but they
have a common quality of helplessness. Though this is true, Lennie is not afraid to hope for
better things, which clearly defines his positive attitude and general glee. Crooks is hard and
worn, having experienced many people making such claims and not fulfilling them, he is
consequently more cynical and depressed.

Works Cited
Steinbeck, J. (1937). Of mice and men. New York, NY: Penguin Group.