OMAM Blog 4

When I was reading part 4 of Of Mice and Men, I noticed that Lennie and Crooks' conversation really was normally something that would not occur in the time period of this book. Of Mice and Men may have taken place when African Americans were free, but they were still discriminated. The reason for this was because of their skin color. Crooks was first introduced as a African american who lived apart from Slim and the others, but had many more belongings than them since he was at the ranch for a long time. When Crooks was sitting on his bunk, "Noiselessly Lennie appeared in the open doorway and stood there looking in..."(67-68). Normally, I thought that Crooks would politely welcome Lennie to his little home, but instead sharply told him, "You got no right to come in my room. this here's my room. Nobody got any right in here but me" (68). After I read this quote, I suddenly realized that this time period was a time in which blacks and whites stayed apart, and could not communicate or become friends with each other. But instead of Lennie leaving, he said "I ain't doing nothing...Just come to look at my puppy. And I seen your light" (68). This quote made me feel deepened about how Lennie had such innocence, and was speaking the truth, even to Crooks. Also, this quote shows how if Lennie finds a light, he feels like he is welcome to come into that area. He eventually asks why Crooks ain't wanted, and he responded by saying " 'Cause I'm black. They play cards in there, but I can't play because I'm black. They say I stink. Well, I tell you, all of you stink to me" (68). Since Crooks was black, the others (George, Slim, etc.) did not let him play with them, which lead to him wanting to stay away from them. This clears up why Crooks stayed apart from the others. After this, Crooks and Lennie continue the conversation. But suddenly, Lennie starts talking about the plans Candy, him and George had for the huge amount of land they were going to get. Lennie did not realize it, but he was not suppose to reveal the plans to other people (OH NO!!) The conversation continues for a longer period of time that does not support this topic, which concludes the reason why I feel that this conversation between Lennie and Crooks was originally not suppose to occur naturally in this time period.