Barn Shadows

Worksheet Description

This passage focuses on Crooks, isolated in his barn due to racism, who reveals his deep loneliness when Lennie visits. Candy later joins, briefly creating a sense of companionship, until Curley’s wife interrupts with scorn and reminders of their weaknesses. The fragile bond dissolves as bitterness and division resurface. Steinbeck uses this scene to show how loneliness, prejudice, and powerlessness fracture human connection.

The worksheet strengthens students’ ability to analyze themes of isolation and prejudice. They practice connecting character interactions to larger societal issues, especially around race, disability, and gender. The guiding questions help them think critically about how Steinbeck layers social commentary into character dialogue. This develops empathy, interpretation, and thematic analysis skills.