Possessed by the Possession: The Unspoken Threat of Curley’s Wife
Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “A woman is like a tea bag- you can’t tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water” (Brainyquote.com). Throughout the 1930s, society often ignored or suppressed women’s abilities due to prejudices and standards promoting male dominance and patriarchy. John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men captures the essence of Roosevelt’s quote through the development of Curley’s wife. Although presented as unlikable and foolish on the surface, the sexist and misogynistic ideals of the 1930’s propel the conflict between Curley’s wife and the other farmers. Often treated poorly, gender-based bias demonstrates how the men overlook Curley’s wife’s dreams and individuality. …show more content…
Most of the time, she claims she is looking for Curley in order to initiate a conversation with the other men and get the attention that she craves. Steinbeck exhibits Curley’s wife’s motives through her conversation with Lennie when she says, “I don’ like Curley. He ain’t a nice fella” (Steinbeck 89). This quote is essential to understanding the oppression Curley’s wife faces because it allows the reader to see that she is not happy with her husband. By putting “like” in italics, Steinbeck stresses the fact that Curley’s wife does not want to be around him because he is abusive. Typically, when conceptualizing a marriage, most would think of two people who love each other and have an affectionate relationship. However, as indicated by Curley’s wife claiming “He ain’t a nice fella,” the reader infers that she does not enjoy being around her husband because he is abusive toward …show more content…
In Of Mice and Men, Curley’s wife is the only female character and the only unnamed character. Steinbeck intentionally leaves Curley’s wife nameless in order to emphasise that she is a possession rather than an individual. Since she is Curley’s wife, her actions are a reflection of her husband instead of her own. When first introduced to Curley’s wife, Candy tells George, “‘Well, I tell ya what -- Curley says he’s keeping that hand soft for his wife’” (Steinbeck 27). By openly talking about keeping his hand soft “for his wife,” Curley is trying to brag about his romantic life. He uses her as a prop to dangle in front of the other men on the farm, many of whom are without a family. Curley knows that his wife makes him superior to the other men because he has a woman who he can brag about and parade around as though she is a new toy. The choice to refer to her as Curley’s wife connects back to Curley bragging about his life with her because the men value her as a part of Curley, not as an individual
Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “A woman is like a tea bag- you can’t tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water” (Brainyquote.com). Throughout the 1930s, society often ignored or suppressed women’s abilities due to prejudices and standards promoting male dominance and patriarchy. John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men captures the essence of Roosevelt’s quote through the development of Curley’s wife. Although presented as unlikable and foolish on the surface, the sexist and misogynistic ideals of the 1930’s propel the conflict between Curley’s wife and the other farmers. Often treated poorly, gender-based bias demonstrates how the men overlook Curley’s wife’s dreams and individuality. …show more content…
Most of the time, she claims she is looking for Curley in order to initiate a conversation with the other men and get the attention that she craves. Steinbeck exhibits Curley’s wife’s motives through her conversation with Lennie when she says, “I don’ like Curley. He ain’t a nice fella” (Steinbeck 89). This quote is essential to understanding the oppression Curley’s wife faces because it allows the reader to see that she is not happy with her husband. By putting “like” in italics, Steinbeck stresses the fact that Curley’s wife does not want to be around him because he is abusive. Typically, when conceptualizing a marriage, most would think of two people who love each other and have an affectionate relationship. However, as indicated by Curley’s wife claiming “He ain’t a nice fella,” the reader infers that she does not enjoy being around her husband because he is abusive toward …show more content…
In Of Mice and Men, Curley’s wife is the only female character and the only unnamed character. Steinbeck intentionally leaves Curley’s wife nameless in order to emphasise that she is a possession rather than an individual. Since she is Curley’s wife, her actions are a reflection of her husband instead of her own. When first introduced to Curley’s wife, Candy tells George, “‘Well, I tell ya what -- Curley says he’s keeping that hand soft for his wife’” (Steinbeck 27). By openly talking about keeping his hand soft “for his wife,” Curley is trying to brag about his romantic life. He uses her as a prop to dangle in front of the other men on the farm, many of whom are without a family. Curley knows that his wife makes him superior to the other men because he has a woman who he can brag about and parade around as though she is a new toy. The choice to refer to her as Curley’s wife connects back to Curley bragging about his life with her because the men value her as a part of Curley, not as an individual