Of Mice and Men: Crooks Crooks plays a significant part in the novel, "Of Mice and Men." Crooks is considered the lowest man on the totem pole on the ranch. Crooks desperately needs companionship and equality. He has the intelligence of any of the workers, but they don't listen to him because he is black.. Crooks is a very lonely and bitter old man who has "got a crooked back where a horse kicked him." His "eyes lay deep in his head, and because of their depth seemed to glitter with intensity." His face was very lean and "lined with deep black wrinkles." His lips were "lighter than his face." Crooks is the stable Buck on the ranch,