Chapter 4 Summary

A "Crook"ed Lean-To

     The entire chapter is set in Crooks' bunk, a small lean-to off the stable. It is small, but Crooks is the only resident - unlike the field hands' bunk, which sleeps several people. The room has, on one side, a four-paned window, and, on the opposite wall, a small plank door leading into the barn. His bed, a long box filled with straw, sits near another wall.

     On the wall next to the window hangs several different objects on wooden pegs: a broken harness, pieces of harness, a split collar with the horsehair stuffing sticking out, a broken hame, a trace chain with its leather covering split, strips of leather, etc. Under the window sits a little wooden bench for leather-working.

     Over the bunk is a large apple box containing a wide range of medicine bottles, "both for himself and for the horses." Cans of saddle soap and a drippy can of tar with its paint brush sticking out are hanging over the side of the box.

     Crooks, being the only resident of the room, could leave personal objects strewn about the room. He also possessed several pairs of shoes, a shotgun, and loads of books. Yet, with all his objects around the room, it is fairly tidy and well-kept.

Crooks-A Profile

     Crooks, the only black worker on the farm, is also the veteran worker. His spine is bent to the left, and he constantly massages his back with a liniment. His eyes are sunk back into his head, and "because of their depth seemed to glitter with intensity." His face is lined with deep wrinkles.

"Come on in and set a while" - Plot

     Crooks is alone, massaging his back. Lennie stands in the doorway, completely blocking the opening. Crooks, upon noticing him, scowls at Lennie, saying, "You got no right to come my room." Crooks seems to be biased against the other workers because he believes that they're biased against him, against his race. Lennie, being very innocent, still persists that he just wants to come in and sit. Crooks, after inviting Lennie into the bunk, talks about his past - how he used to play with the white kids on his chicken ranch. Lennie, oblivious to the story, asks, "How long you think it'll be before them pups will be old enough to pet?"

     Crooks laughs and asks Lennie what he'll do if George were to, say, get hurt. At this, Lennie first grows worried, which fuels Crooks' playful torture. Eventually, Lennie seriously believes that George has been hurt, and he swells like a rage-filled balloon. At this, Crooks senses imminent danger and hastily says that no one has hurt George. Lennie returns to his barrel-seat and talks about how he's going to grow alfalfa for "the rabbits." Crooks says that Lennie's crazy, that he's read books where "nobody gets to Heaven." He then senses that someone is outside because the horses grew restless, and Candy appears in the doorway.

     Crooks reluctantly invites Candy into the bunk, and Candy is somewhat embarrassed when he enters. They begin talking about Lennie's dream that Candy wants to be a part of, and Crooks says that if they have any work for a cripple, he'd do it.

     Right then, they hear, "Any of you guys seen Curley?" Curley's wife, her face caked with makeup, is standing in the doorway. Candy says that Curley hasn't been around, and Crooks tells her to go back to her house. She says, "Funny thing. If I catch any one man, and he's alone, I get along fine with him. But just let two of the guys get together an' you won't talk. Jus' nothing but mad. You're all scared of each other, that's what. Ever'one of you's scared of each other, that's what. Ever'one of you's scared the rest is goin' to get something on you." She goes on to complain about Curley:

     "Sure I gotta husban'. You all seen him. Swell guy ain't he? Spends all his time sayin' what he's gonna do to guys he don't like, and he don't like nobody. Think I'm gonna stay in that two-by-four house and listen how Curley's gonna lead with his left twict, and then bring in the ol' right cross? 'One-two' he says. 'Jus' the ol' one-two an' he'll go down.' "

     She asks what happened to Curley's hand. After looking at Lennie, Candy hesitatingly says, "Why...Curley...he got his han' caught in a machine, ma'am." It's apparent that he's terrified of her. Curley's wife doesn't believe him and asks who busted his hand. Candy still denies that anyone busted Curley's hand. Curley's wife bad-mouths the workers, at which Candy stands up and demands that she leave. She notices that Lennie's face is bruised. When she asks how he got them, he says, "He got his han' caught in a machine." She laughs and says, "O.K., Machine."

     Crooks demands that she leave. Curley's wife says, "You know what I could do? Well, you keep your place then, &*$%. I could get you strung up on a tree so easy it ain't even funny." At this, Crooks is reduced to nothing. "Yes, ma'am," he says, his eyes averted. Curley's wife leaves, and George appears in the doorway. He wonders what Lennie and Candy are doing in Crooks' bunk. Crooks says that Lennie's a nice fella. Lennie tells George how they can make money on the rabbits. George scowls: "I though I tol' you not to tell nobody about that. Well, you guys get outta here. Jesus, seems like I can't go away for a minute." The three guests leave, leaving Crooks to massage his back.