The "less important characters" make a big stir

         Part 4 was set entirely in Crooks' bunk room, but some pretty notable events occurred. For example, Crooks was able to bond with Lennie and Candy despite being a largely unnoticed black stable hand, Candy and Lennie interested Crooks in buying a ranch for themselves, and Curley's wife parted from her "seductive temptress" persona in a rather startling moment. This whole part is very intriguing, so I decided to take a closer look at these characters developing.

         Before this point in the book, we hadn't really gotten to know Crooks very well. We just knew he was a stable hand on the ranch. However, Part 4 expanded Crooks' presence dramatically, really showing us how he is important to the ranch. Although he initially did not want Lennie or Candy in his room, he opened up to them over time, saying, " 'Come on in. If everybody's comin' in, you might just as well,' ". The book also notes that "it was difficult for Crooks to conceal his pleasure with anger." He also opens up to Lennie, telling him about his childhood, and when he is told about the plan to buy a parcel of ranchland, he says, " 'If you...guys would want a hand to work for nothing--just his keep, why I'd come an' lend a hand.' " All of this shows me that Crooks truly is interested in talking with ohers, even when he tries to mask his feelings, and wants to befriend Lennie and Candy.

         The other primary event in Part 4, I believe, was Curley's wife's harsh response to Crooks when he joined Candy in telling her to leave. Curley's wife does not take kindly to being berated by a stable hand she considers inferior, so she faced him and threatened him, saying, " 'You know what I can do to you if you open your trap?...well, you keep your place, then...I could get you strung up on a tree so easy it ain't even funny.' " Particularly notable is Crooks' reaction to these words. He "pressed himself against the wall" and "reduced himself to nothing. There was no personality, no ego--nothing to arouse either like or dislike." The objectified woman who had just been a figment of the farm has gained the upper hand in this scene, cornering Crooks and threatening (most likely) to lynch him.

         The character dynamics in this scene are unlike anything I've yet seen in this book. Characters exposed their true feelings and confronted each other vehemently. This pivotal chapter was important to build up to the climax, whatever that may be.