Chapter 4

On Saturday night, everyone left the house except for Lennie and Candy,
leaving Crooks alone in his room. Lenny goes into crooks room, his room is
attached to the barn. it's small with tools and it is organized. bed is made of
straw. Lenny comes in with a big smile and said he just wants to see his puppy.
Cook tells Lennie that he isn't wanted in the bunk house because he’s black.

During the conversation, Lenny confides in the secret about the farm,
which Crooks initially thinks was made up by Lenny. Crooks also informs
Lenny about his relationship with George and frightens him by suggesting that
George may not return. The more Crooks put pressure on Lennie, the scarier
and angrier she gets. As Lenny paced dangerously close to Crooks, Crooks
realized the danger he was in and gently calmed down Lenny, explaining that
George was not hurt and was just a supposing.

Later, Candy appears to discuss the rabbits with Lennie. Crooks, secretly
excited to have more visitors, invites him, and Candy admits that he and
Crooks have both worked together for a long time on the ranch, but have
never been to Crooks' room before. Also breaking promises, Candy tells Lenny
how they have thought of ways to make money from rabbits on the farm.
When Candy explains to Crooks that they already have most of the money they
have saved to buy the place, Crooks begins to believe that they may really do
so. He offers to go with them if they need extra help.

Curley's wife shows up when the three are conversing and claims to be
looking for Curley. She complains that no one will talk to her after Candy and
Crooks make it clear that she shouldn't be there. She complains that Curley
doesn't spend time with her and that she is bored. When Curley does
communicate with her, according to her, he exclusively discusses fighting. She
then recalls that Curley's hand had been broken. Candy tells the woman that
Curley caught it in a machine. Lennie was the machine, she explains as she
turns to face him. She is repeatedly asked to leave by Candy. Then Candy
explains to her that they require the funds to purchase a ranch. She mocks
their dream and them. She assaults Crooks as a result of their adamant
requests for her to leave. Crooks is informed that she could have him lynched.

When she hears the men returning from town, she eventually leaves.
When George arrives, he learns that Candy had shared the dream with Crooks.
Crooks advises them to disregard his offer of assistance since George makes it
clear that he doesn't want a black man to be a part of their ambitions.
 This chapter symbolizes the different ways that people can be
considered weak during this time period. Candy was isolated because he was
old and disabled. Crooks is also disabled but is considered much lower
because he is African-American. Lenny is not treated equally because he lacks
intelligence. Even Curly's wife is inferior because she is a woman. But
somehow all these weak people found each other, and until Curly's wife
showed up, they seemed to enjoy each other's company.