“And then she was still, for Lennie had broken her neck” (Steinbeck 91). The novella Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck takes place in the 1930’s during the Great Depression. During this time period, many men would travel looking for work and would end up working for a rich ranch owner. Most of this novella takes place at a ranch owned by a wealthy man in Soledad, California. At this ranch, Curley’s wife is a very present and ornate character; however, she is not at all respected. Two weeks prior to George and Lennie’s arrival at the farm, Curley’s wife married Curley to escape her family and gain wealth after meeting him at the Riverside Dance Palace. Due to all the hardships she endures at the ranch, Curley’s wife is the loneliest and most
…show more content…
Throughout the entire novella, Curley's wife is labeled as a tramp, tart, and even a bitch. Curley’s wife secured these derogatory terms associated with her due to the way she dresses and her actions. When meeting Curley’s wife for the first time, George and Lennie were astounded. She entered the barn dressed in a cotton house dress and red mules decorated on the instep with little bouquets of red ostrich feathers. She also displayed red nail polish, heavily made-up eye makeup, full, reddened lips, and hair rolled up in tight curls. George immediately identified the trouble that would come from her and told Lennie to stay away from her. In this section of the novella, all the men on the ranch have gone into town, leaving Curley, Curley’s wife, Crooks, Candy, and Lennie alone at the ranch. Crooks, Lennie, and Candy are all sitting alone in Crook’s room when Curley’s wife comes strolling by, “After a pause Crooks said, ‘Maybe you better go along to your own house now. We don't want no trouble.’ ‘Well, I ain't giving you no trouble. Think I don't like to talk to somebody ever' once in a while? Think I like to stick in that house alla time?’ Candy laid the stump of his wrist on his knee and rubbed it gently with his hand. He said accusingly, ‘You gotta husban'. You got no call foolin' aroun' with other guys, causin' trouble’” (Steinbeck 77). Curley’s wife flirts with the men at the ranch so frequently that anytime she is near them, the men automatically believe that she only has one thing on her mind. This forces the men to act extremely cautionary around her, especially when Curley is present. Even though all of her flirtatious tendencies are only done to draw attention it, ironically, causes her to be more lonely. She even expresses in the quote that she does not want any trouble, she simply wants someone she can talk
Throughout the entire novella, Curley's wife is labeled as a tramp, tart, and even a bitch. Curley’s wife secured these derogatory terms associated with her due to the way she dresses and her actions. When meeting Curley’s wife for the first time, George and Lennie were astounded. She entered the barn dressed in a cotton house dress and red mules decorated on the instep with little bouquets of red ostrich feathers. She also displayed red nail polish, heavily made-up eye makeup, full, reddened lips, and hair rolled up in tight curls. George immediately identified the trouble that would come from her and told Lennie to stay away from her. In this section of the novella, all the men on the ranch have gone into town, leaving Curley, Curley’s wife, Crooks, Candy, and Lennie alone at the ranch. Crooks, Lennie, and Candy are all sitting alone in Crook’s room when Curley’s wife comes strolling by, “After a pause Crooks said, ‘Maybe you better go along to your own house now. We don't want no trouble.’ ‘Well, I ain't giving you no trouble. Think I don't like to talk to somebody ever' once in a while? Think I like to stick in that house alla time?’ Candy laid the stump of his wrist on his knee and rubbed it gently with his hand. He said accusingly, ‘You gotta husban'. You got no call foolin' aroun' with other guys, causin' trouble’” (Steinbeck 77). Curley’s wife flirts with the men at the ranch so frequently that anytime she is near them, the men automatically believe that she only has one thing on her mind. This forces the men to act extremely cautionary around her, especially when Curley is present. Even though all of her flirtatious tendencies are only done to draw attention it, ironically, causes her to be more lonely. She even expresses in the quote that she does not want any trouble, she simply wants someone she can talk