In John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, the characters of Crooks, the stable hand, and Candy, the elderly ranch worker, share a poignant and brief interaction that underscores the themes of loneliness, dreams, and human connection. Their conversation takes place in Crooks’ small, segregated room, which is separate from the other workers on the ranch.
To understand the significance of the last words Crooks says to Candy, we need to explore the context of their conversation. Crooks, a black man, is isolated and marginalized due to the racial prejudices of the time. Candy, though not the same as Crooks in terms of race, is similarly marginalized because of his old age and physical disability. When the two men engage in conversation, it marks a rare moment of connection in a world where both feel disconnected from the rest of society.
Context of the Scene
Crooks initially hesitates to engage with Candy, who has entered his room to talk. Candy, feeling lonely after the other men leave, attempts to start a conversation, and slowly Crooks opens up about his own feelings of isolation. As they talk, they begin to discuss the dream of owning a farm, a dream that George and Lennie have spoken of before, and Candy also shares with Crooks. This dream represents a fleeting hope of independence and belonging, something that all three men desire deeply.
However, during the conversation, Crooks becomes cynical about the dream, reflecting his experience of constant rejection and racial prejudice. His initial resistance gives way to a more vulnerable moment when he briefly allows himself to believe in the possibility of a different life. But this moment of connection is shattered when Curley’s wife enters the scene and asserts her own dominance over the men.
The Last Thing Crooks Says to Candy
In the final moments of their interaction, Crooks, after some teasing and harsh words from Curley’s wife, retreats back into his shell. The last thing Crooks says to Candy is:
“I seen hunderds of men come by on the road an’ on the ranches, with their bindles on their back an’ that same damn thing in their heads. Hunderds of them. An’ every damn one of ’em’s got a little piece of land in his head. An’ hunderds of them will never get it. Just like us.”
These words reflect Crooks’ deep skepticism and hopelessness about the American Dream, which many people, including Candy, cling to for a sense of purpose and meaning in their lives. Crooks’ statement is the culmination of his bitterness and experience. He is a man who has witnessed countless others dreaming of a better life, only to be crushed by the harsh realities of their circumstances. In a way, this comment is a reminder of the cruel nature of their world, where dreams often remain unattainable, especially for people like Crooks and Candy who are marginalized by society.
Significance of Crooks’ Last Words
Crooks’ final words to Candy serve as a stark contrast to the hopefulness that George, Lennie, and Candy share about the dream of owning a farm. While Candy is momentarily buoyed by the idea of this dream, Crooks has long ago accepted that such aspirations are futile for men like him. Crooks’ life has been one of constant rejection and disappointment, shaped by racial discrimination, and he knows that the promise of a better life is often just an illusion.
This interaction, and particularly Crooks’ last words, highlight the themes of isolation, the fragility of dreams, and the harsh realities of life for those who are marginalized. Crooks, despite being momentarily open to the dream, ultimately reinforces the idea that the dream of a better life is unattainable for people like him and Candy.
Conclusion
The last thing Crooks says to Candy in Of Mice and Men is a sobering reminder of the barriers that exist for people who are marginalized by race, age, and physical ability. It underscores the central theme of the novel: that dreams, no matter how sincere, are often unattainable for those who live on the fringes of society. Crooks’ words serve to close the door on the fragile hope that Candy and the others hold, revealing the painful reality that dreams of independence and security are often out of reach.