Steinbeck paints a bleak portrait of the character Crooks, the black stable buck on the ranch. Through Crooks, Steinbeck shines a light on the profound injustices and indignities faced by disadvantaged individuals in this era. Crooks emerges as a profoundly pitiful figure, isolated and victimised due to the colour of his skin and his physical disability. Denied basic rights and respect, Crooks is utterly powerless to improve his dire circumstances, trapped in a system that relentlessly dehumanises and devalues him. Steinbeck's masterful characterization of Crooks serves as a searing indictment of the systemic racism and oppression that pervaded American society at the time.
Crooks faces isolation from the other men as he is the only black…show more content… Combined with his race and lack of rights, Crooks' disability leaves him in a disempowered position, with little recourse to improve his circumstances. The reader cannot help but feel sorry for Crooks' plight, trapped in a world that relentlessly devalues and dehumanises him at every turn. Ultimately, Crooks' isolation, discrimination, and physical disability make him a deeply sympathetic character who deserves the reader's pity and compassion. Steinbeck's portrayal of Crooks' suffering serves as a powerful indictment of the systemic injustices faced by marginalised individuals in this time and place. Crooks' race and status as the only black man on the ranch leave him in a severely neglected position. As the analysis states, "Crooks is isolated because he's a black man that has a crooked back and that doesn't have that much rights." This quote directly highlights how Crooks' race and lack of rights strip him of any real power or influence. The text further reinforces this, noting that "Guys don't come into a coloured man's room very much. Nobody been here but Slim. Slim an' the boss. Crooks is systematically excluded and shunned by the other ranch workers, rendering him powerless within the social…show more content… The analysis notes that his disability, combined with his race, leaves him in a position where he "doesn't have that much rights." His marginalised status and physical vulnerability make him an easy target for abuse and discrimination, further eroding any semblance of power or autonomy.
Moreover, the disturbing quote "The boss gives the nigger hell when he's angry" demonstrates the complete lack of recourse or protection Crooks has against those in positions of authority. The fact that the boss feels empowered to hurl racial slurs and mistreat Crooks with impunity is a clear indication of Crooks' powerlessness. He has no means to defend himself or challenge the abuses of those in power.
Ultimately, Crooks' race, disability, and lack of rights combine to render him profoundly disempowered within the social and institutional structures of the ranch. He is trapped in a system that systematically devalues and dehumanises him, leaving him with little to no agency or ability to improve his circumstances. Steinbeck's portrayal of Crooks' lack of power serves as a powerful commentary on the harsh realities faced by marginalised individuals in this
