Of Mice and Men Empathy Question Essay Example

torment.

This also made me feel sympathy for Lennie. As “Lennie struggled to understand”, I felt pity for Lennie as Crooks only targeted him due to his lack of mental ability. The atmosphere changes and gives the reader a feeling of tension as Lennie “stood up and walked dangerously toward Crooks. ” By using the term “dangerously” it gives the reader a sense of apprehension; we already know Lennie’s strength and the reader fears for Crooks in case his fate winds up the same as Curley’s.

Upon seeing Lennie stalking toward him like a dangerous predator, Crooks “edged back on his bunk to get out of the way. ” This gives the reader a sense of comeuppance as Crooks is now the minor in this conversation as he edges away from him like a coward. At first, this action gives the reader a sense of victory for Lennie’s benefit yet I find that the emotion changes to one of pity for Crooks.

His immediate reaction to Lennie’s movement shows his fear for white individuals as – during that particular period of time – were classed as superior. His reaction gives the emotion of pity yet also hatred toward white individuals for making black individuals feel so greatly intimidated. This feeling of intimidation is also enhanced when Lennie “stood over him” thus making Crooks feel like a minority. This feeling of sympathy, hatred and apprehension is consistently occurring throughout this entire extract.