Of Mice and Men
Character Analysis Paper
Step by Step
Analysis of Crooks
Thesis
Crooks is a respectful man who only wants
to be included but finds nothing but
rejection and abuse.
This is one sentence that the whole paper
will be about.
Quotes
Respectful quote page 50- “Mr. Slim”
Included quote page 68- “ ’Cause I’m black.
They play cards in there, but I can’t play
because I’m black.”
Abuse quote page 29- “Where the hell is that
god damn nigger?”
Rejection quote page 81 “ well, you keep
your place then, nigger. I could get you
strung up on a tree so easy it ain’t even
funny.”
Hook
To be the odd man out of anything is never
easy, but to be shunned from society is even
harder.
This is one or two sentences that come
before the thesis to get the readers
interested.
Paragraph 1
Hook: To be the odd man out of anything is
never easy, but to be shunned from society
is even harder.
Thesis: Crooks is a respectful man who only
wants to be included but finds nothing but
rejection and abuse.
Hook and then Thesis (that is all that is in
paragraph 1)
Paragraph 2
Topic sentence: Crooks treats others with
respect.
Quote 1: As Crooks enters the bunkhouse
he says, “ Mr Slim” (50).
Explain Quote: The polite nature with which
he addresses Slim shows that he is making
an effort to be respectful to him and the
others. He is also respecting their space by
not barging into the bunk house where he
has been told he can not be.
Paragraph 3
Topic sentence: Crooks wants to be
included in the normal activities of the men.
Quote 1: When Crooks and Lennie are
talking, Crooks explains that the men do not
allow him in the bunk house “ ’cause I’m
black. They play cards in there, but I can’t
play because I’m black” ( 68).
Explain Quote: Crooks opens up to Lennie
about his real feelings. He wants to be
included, but the color of his skin prevents
it.
Paragraph 4
Topic sentence: Though Crooks has
displayed his worthiness, he does not find
friendship, only mistreatment and abuse.
Quote 1: When the men arrive at the stable
one calls, “Where the hell is that god damn
nigger?” (29).
Explain Quote: Crooks has a name or could
be called the stable buck, but the men
instead choose to use hurtful and
derogatory language.
Paragraph 4 continued
Transition sentence: The men are not the
only people on the ranch who mistreat
Crooks.
Quote 1: After Crook’s has asked her to
leave his room, Curly’s wife says, “Well, you
keep your place then, nigger. I could get
your strung up on a tree so easy it ain’t even
funny” (81).
Explain Quote: The unkind way in which the
men refer to Crooks is a small reminder of
his place in society, but the hard words of
Curly’s wife are meant to be painful and
unkind.
Paragraph 5
Conclusion/ Recap/Restatement of Thesis:
The harder Crooks tries to find his place, the
harsher the reality that is thrust upon him;
Crooks will never be included in the society
of men he so desperately wishes to be a
part of.
Put it all together in a paper
Now take all of these chunks and put it into
a rough draft.