In the story of mice and men Why does Crooks put Lennie down verbally when Lennie visits him in his room in the barn?
In the story "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck, Crooks puts Lennie down verbally when he visits him in his room in the barn for a couple of reasons. First, it is important to understand the context of the situation. Crooks is an African-American stable buck who has endured a life of isolation and marginalization due to the prevailing racism and discrimination of the time.
When Lennie enters Crooks' room uninvited, it disrupts his personal space and privacy. Since Crooks is used to being ostracized and segregated from the other men on the ranch, he has developed a defensive and skeptical attitude towards interactions with others. He is initially wary of Lennie's presence and assumes that Lennie is there to mock or harm him.
Furthermore, Crooks recognizes Lennie's mental disability and uses it to assert some form of power and control in the interaction. Since Crooks himself has been oppressed and mistreated, he seizes the opportunity to exert dominance over Lennie, who is physically strong but intellectually vulnerable. By belittling and demeaning Lennie, Crooks regains a sense of authority and briefly feels superior to someone for a change.
It is also worth noting that Crooks is deeply hurt by his loneliness and longs for human companionship. By pushing Lennie away and demonstrating his bitterness, Crooks is protecting himself from further emotional pain. His initial hostility towards Lennie is, in part, a defense mechanism to shield himself from potential disappointment or rejection.
Overall, Crooks' verbal treatment of Lennie is a product of his own experiences of discrimination, his need for self-preservation, and his wounded desire for human connection. It highlights the themes of racism, isolation, and the tendency to exert power over others in a hierarchical society.