Final answer:
In 'Of Mice and Men,' Crooks conveys his isolation, loneliness, and disinterest in books to Lennie, which highlights themes of alienation similar to other literary and historical figures. The correct answer to the student's question is D) All of the above.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the novel Of Mice and Men, the character Crooks experiences a profound sense of isolation and loneliness. This theme is common in literature as authors explore the human condition and the effects of solitude. Crooks lives separately from the other ranch hands because of his race, which exacerbates his feelings of disconnection from the group.
In a pivotal scene, Crooks shares with Lennie about his loneliness, his lack of friends, and his disinterest in books that cannot substitute for human companionship. Thus, his sentiments align with the broader discussion on alienation similar to characters in other literary works mentioned in the excerpts, like Bartleby and the nonfiction account of Chris McCandless, as well as historical figures like Thoreau who chose solitude for moral or personal reasons.
Answering the student's question, Crooks reveals to Lennie that A) He feels isolated, B) He is very lonely, C) He doesn't prefer the company of books. Therefore, the correct option answer in the final answer is D) All of the above. The experiences of Crooks in Of Mice and Men represent a microcosm of societal alienation, which draws parallels to Karl Marx's concept of workers' alienation and the solitary lives of characters and individuals studying or challenging societal norms as seen in the various excerpts provided.