A Portrait of Racism

Chapter 4 in Of Mice and Man, paints a very realistic portrait of racism in the 1930s.  Discuss at least two ways in which racism is explored in this chapter.  Include quotes and your own analysis of key moments in this chapter that clearly demonstrate the racism that existed in the American 1930s.  What do readers understand about racism as a result of reading this chapter?

Check out this article titled, "Racial Segregation in the American South: Jim Crow Laws"  to gain a better understanding of the timeline of racial segregation in America. 

     Racism is explored in this chapter. It is explored through the character of Crooks. He is an African American male who lives at the ranch that George and Lennie are working at. Crooks is treated unfairly by the rest of the workers and he can't even live where they do. 

Page 68) "Why ain't you wanted?" Lennie asked.
" 'Cause I'm black. They play cards in there, but I can't play because I'm black.
Page 81) "I could get you strung up on a tree so easy it ain't even funny."

Readers can now comprehend the hardships of being on the wrong end of racism, the way Crooks is