Crooks is an energetic, sharp-witted black man who works as a stable hand. He got his name from his crooked back. He is very lonely, and he proves this when Lennie visits his room by inviting Lennie to stay even though he says black men aren't permitted in white men's rooms and white men shouldn't be allowed in black men's rooms. It's apparent that he wishes this weren't true and that he is hurt by not being able to play cards with the guys because of his "odor." .
Like Curley's wife, Crooks uses his loneliness and vulnerability as an excuse to attack the weaker people such as Lennie. He plays a mean game with Lennie claiming that George is gone for good and Lennie is all alone. He doesn't tell the truth until Lennie becomes enraged and threatens to hurt him.
Crooks only wants to be a part of the group. He makes it appear that he isn't hurt by not being included because of his color but a deeper look shows that he only wants to be loved. This is proven in a subtle way when Lennie tells Crooks about the land they plan to buy. Even though Crooks has a reasonable doubt that they really will buy land and live off of it, he still asks Lennie if he can come along and hoe in the garden.
Curley's wife, the only female character in this book, is also misinterpreted. It appears that she is a temptress who tries to ruin male happiness by seducing them. She wears fancy, feathered red shoes and runs around the farm looking for trouble. .
Curley isn't a nice man, and she gave up all her hopes and dreams of being famous to marry him. So throughout the story she is always searching for someone to talk to. No one ever gives her the time of day because of Curley's temper. They think that she is a tramp whose main goal is only to sleep with every man she comes in contact with.
But, behind closed doors she as well is very sad and lonely. Curley won't listen and no one else will talk to her because the fear that she will only cause drama.