Crooks is a black man on a ranch full of white workers in the 1930s. Because he is the victim of both racism and segregation, he reacts negatively when Lennie wants to come into his room in the barn. Later, he also looks to kick Curley's wife out because of her derogatory comments. He initially spurns Lennie's request to come in. He tells Lennie that since he isn't let into the bunkhouse then Lennie isn't...
Crooks is a black man on a ranch full of white workers in the 1930s. Because he is the victim of both racism and segregation, he reacts negatively when Lennie wants to come into his room in the barn. Later, he also looks to kick Curley's wife out because of her derogatory comments. He initially spurns Lennie's request to come in. He tells Lennie that since he isn't let into the bunkhouse then Lennie isn't allowed in is room. When Lennie asks why Crooks can't come into the bunkhouse in chapter four, the black man says,
“’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, you all of you stink to me.”
The one time he was let into the bunkhouse one Christmas, he was involved in a fight, presumably over race. He is obviously bitter over the segregation he faces. Eventually, however, he warms to Lennie and lets big man into his room. He realizes that the simple-minded Lennie probably doesn't even know what he's doing, and Crooks accepts his company willingly. Steinbeck writes,
Crooks scowled, but Lennie’s disarming smile defeated him. “Come on in and set a while,” Crooks said. “’Long as you won’t get out and leave me alone, you might as well set down.” His tone was a little more friendly.
Later in the chapter, after Curley's wife becomes derisive in her comments toward Candy, Crooks asks her to leave. He says,
“You got no rights comin’ in a colored man’s room. You got no rights messing around in here at all. Now you jus’ get out, an’ get out quick. If you don’t, I’m gonna ast the boss not to ever let you come in the barn no more.”
Unfortunately, as a black man, he has few rights in the white world. Curley's wife immediately turns on him and threatens him with lynching. Her words push him back into his solitude and the arrival of George ends the meeting in his room.
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