Crooks is so named because of a crooked back caused by a kick from a horse. Crooks is the stable hand who takes care of the horses and lives by himself because he is the only black man on the ranch. Along with Candy, Crooks is a character used by Steinbeck to show the effects of discrimination.

Why do people call him crooks?

Crooks gets his nickname from his crooked back. According to Candy, Crooks was kicked by a horse in the back, which unnaturally bent his spine, leaving him deformed. Crooks is a rather ornery man, who resents the fact that he is racially discriminated against.

What crooks symbolize?

Steinbeck has included Crooks to represent black people in America and show how they were treated. It appears likely that Steinbeck is against segregation and is trying to shock the reader with the way Crooks is treated by the other characters in the novel.