Curley's Wife Victim Analysis

Of Mice and Men is a classic novella that paints a tragic portrait of America in the 1930’s. Steinbeck reveals prejudice that was aimed towards women during the 1930’s.The novella consist of male characters with the exception of Curley's wife. Curley’s wife is the only female that we are introduced in the story, since she is the only female she is often treated differently from everyone else. She is the only female on the farm making her isolated from the other workers. Curley’s wife is portrayed as a victim because of her backstory, her unfair treatment on the farm, and her abusive relationship with Curley. To begin with, Curley's wife divulges her tragic backstory that helps the readers feel sympathetic towards her and helps shape her role as a victim. Steinbeck uses Curley’s wife as a way for readers to view the American dream through the eyes of a young person. Curley's wife reveals her big dreams of someday becoming a movie star, but her dream where ceased when …show more content…
The workers on the farm are constantly spreading rumors about Curley’s wife. The workers do not bother getting to know her backstory, they spread rumors and lies about her on the ranch. “ I think Curley’s married… tart.” (52 Steinbeck) The use of the word tart shows that Candy is insulting Curley’s wife without getting to know her, it also shows that Candy has no respect for Curley’s wife. Tart is the first thing the readers her when we are introduced to Curley’s wife, so it changes the way the readers view her. The ellipsis symbolizes how tense Candy is when he speaks the insult out loud, but it’s not out of respect for Curley’s wife but for Curley. Not to mention, how differently the workers treat her on the ranch. Whenever Curley wife walk in the room the workers.”Maybe you better go along to your own house now. We don't want no trouble” (77 Steinbeck). The “trouble” they are talking about is Curley,