"A guy goes nuts if he ain't got nobody. Don't matter no difference who the guy is,

longs he with you. I tell ya a guy gets too lonely an he gets sick" (Steinbeck, 13)

Crooks is a black man that experiences isolation because the society mostly is racist. As a result, this quote was his way of finding a personal connection to Lennie. Like Lennie, Crooks has a 'relationship' with loneliness. He knows that when people get lonely, they tend to get sick. Studies show that people who suffer from loneliness have higher incidence of health problems. This can be determined based on his emotional behavior. " At the rate Crooks

Curley's, insecure feelings towards his wife, forces her into flirting with the other ranchers. Curley's wife also dressed rather "slutty" and fairly bare. One sign of loneliness is when "You become overly critical of your physical appearance." (www.ubcounseling.buffalo.edu) Many people do not want to talk to her because of her reputation for being a flirt and bothering others.

This quote supports that he is attracted to the friendship of Lennie and George. It also proves that all Crooks wants to do was talk to people, and he will do anything for it, even work like a "son-of-a-bitch."

be let to work on our own place." (Steinbeck, 66)

Candy is so down that he puts himself into the state of solitude. He is often allowed to go out with the other guys, but he always refuses due to his negative aspect towards himself. Candy thinks that nobody wants to be friends with him because of his disability. Eventually, he tries to find a friendship by attempting to join the dream of George and Lenny, to own and run their own little ranch. This is one of Candy's desperate attempts to find a place in society and meaning in life. Candy offered his services to become a part of George and Lennie's friendship and dream.

They say I stink. Well I tell you, you all stink to me!" (Steinbeck, 75)

Nobody likes to be forced to live in a barn, let alone to work only with the horses. Crooks spent most of his nights reading and he keeps away from others because of the way he is treated and this eventually leads to his very own emotional downfall. He is treated as an outcast and is forced to find friendship the only way he can, through the books that he reads. The Counseling Center of the University of Buffalo said that: "When you are alone, use the time to enjoy yourself. For example, listen to music or watch a favorite television show. Do not spend the time eating endlessly or worrying about your problems." Obviously Crooks is aware of his problem and tries to cope with it through books and magazines.

Crooks is fascinated by the strength of the friendship of Lennie and George especially how close they are. Crooks said, "Well, s'pose, jus' s'pose he don't come back. What'll you do then?" (Steinbeck, 79) Crooks asks these questions because he does not have any friends. He was curious about the friendship of Lennie and George. He wants the people to feel the way that he did when he was lonely, having nobody with them. He is striving to achieve sympathy and understanding from others. Crooks would work for nothing

Some common words found in the essay are:
Lennie George, Lennie Crooks, George Lennie's, Mice Steinbeck, I'm Black, George Lenny, University Buffalo, , Lennie George's, Candy Curley's, curley's wife, lennie george, friendship lennie, friendship lennie george, steinbeck 66, people suffer loneliness, 66 candy, crooks candy, attending church, white people, curly's wife, george lennie's friendship, steinbeck 66 candy, lennie's friendship,
Approximate Word count = 1728
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)