Despite being a woman in the 1930s, Curley’s wife possessed power over others on the ranch, primarily because her husband was the boss’s son. Although the men often thought that she was ineffectual, she ascertained to quickly prove them wrong. For example, when talking to Crooks she was very straightforward with her authority: “Well you keep your place then, ni**er. I could get you strung up on a tree so fast it ain’t even funny”(81). Even though she would not be the one to actually pursue that threat, she knew how to use her words to get somebody else to.…
Curley’s wife is presented as a provocative young woman, described as a “tart”, who is seen as a danger to the men as she is married and if they are caught having a relationship with her they will be “canned”. We first meet her character in the men’s bunk house. She is described as dressed in all red, with “rouged lips”, “red mules” and “red ostrich feathers”, the colour symbolism of the colour red adds to the idea that she’s a danger to the men. She is described as having a teasing personality in this scene, shown through her body language when she leans against a doorframe so her body was “thrown forward”.…
Of Mice And Men In Of Mice and Men published in 1937 by John Steinbeck, the author uses characters as symbols. The characters have their unique stories that create themes connected to our current society. The descriptions and actions of the characters help shape the book into greater themes applicable to any situation. Steinbeck uses Curley's Wife, Lennie, and Candy to symbolize loneliness and weakness to show that loneliness and weakness leads to hopes and dreams.…
1. I think that people in the 1930s did not think women were important because of how they isn't giving a specific name for Curley's wife but they just prefered her as "Curley's wife" or "she/her" as a name for Curley's wife. "I never seen nobody like her. She got the eye goin' all the time on everybody..." [p.51] "Wait'll you see Curley's wife."…
From the extract I can tell that Curley’s wife craves attention from others and that George and some of the other ranch workers are very suspicious of and dislike her. As evidenced when George says ‘Jesus, what a tramp’ he is quite disgusted by her due to her dressing somewhat provocatively and goes on to tell Lennie to ‘leave her be’ as he can tell that Lennie is attracted to her and is worried about what might happen. When Curley’s wife enters the bunkhouse ‘the rectangle of sunshine in the doorway was cut off’ this foreshadows Lennie killing Curley’s wife later on; light symbolises hope which represents the dream farm and Curley’s wife blocks it. Curley’s wife is primarily presented to be someone who could be dangerous – she wears a lot…
“You come for me and I’ll kick your God damn head off.” (Steinbeck pg. 62) In the story Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, Curley is known for lines like these. Curley is the son of the boss on the ranch, but acts as though he is the boss. Curley represents evil and Curley is all talk.…
[Curley] “You seen what they done to my dog tonight? They says he was no good to himself or anybody else.” In the book Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck does an astounding job of showing symbolism for each of his characters. I chose to analyze the characters Candy and his dog. Steinbeck introduces Curley as an old man who doesn’t make much money, only enough for him and his dog for a matter of fact, is crippled, and doesn’t have much usefulness anymore.…
Despite being the only female on a ranch full of foul-mouthed men, Curley’s wife exploits both her sexuality and her status to demonstrate power throughout the novel. After Candy said that Curley’s wife was a tart, she walked in and stood in the doorway, her stature displaying her body for all to see, showing off her assets; “She put her hands behind her back and leaned against the door frame so that her body was thrown forward.” (31) In this scene, Curley’s wife shows her dominance, simply in the way she stands whilst speaking to the men. Angling her body to appeal the them, the men do not flirt back with Curley’s wife, but at the same time, they do not look away from her body: keeping their attention on her. When all eyes are on Curley’s wife she is in control so she tries to keep the men entertained for as long as she can.…
In the novel of mice and men, Steinbeck the author moulds and manipulates the character of Curley’s wife impressively. He utilises her inextricable character as a portrayal of women living in the 1930’s period. An era where women were expected to adhere to their traditional roles in the home and not object to the wrongful actions of the men. Steinbeck exposes Curley’s wife character as being an isolated victim of social degradation and belittlement in the 1930s sexist society with no sense of individuality, as well as displaying her in a negative manner through Candy’s opinion and her physical behaviour. In this essay I will explore the diverse sides to the character of Curley’s wife provided by Steinbeck, who delivered a profound insight into how she was perceived due to her behaviour and social objectification.…
The character that stands out the most to me in the play of Of Mice and Men is Curley’s Wife. Her name is never mentioned throughout the entire play, demonstrating the objectification in women as to other she may be seen only as the possession of Curley’s. The other reason could also be the insignificant role/status she has. The first time she is mentioned we learn that she is newly married to Curley. He is known for his possessiveness over her, and is full of jealousy as he suspects his precious wife may be cheating on him.…
In the article “Short Man Syndrome Is Not Just a Tall Story” short men say there is no such thing as "short man syndrome", but studies disagree. In the book it says “Curley’s like a lot of little guys. He hates big guys” (Steinbeck 26). Curley has what people call “short man syndrome”. He doesn't like big guys because, he isn't big and fights a lot of bigger guys.…
Curley, the boss’ son, flaunts his social power in this novel. Since Curley’s father is the boss of the ranch, Curley has the power to do whatever he wants, which is why all the ranchers are afraid of him. “Well, nex’ time you answer when your spoken to”(26). Curley is emphasizing his substantial social power toward George and Lennie by scaring them and showing them who really runs the ranch, and because he is not the biggest guy on the ranch he uses his high status to control the ranchers. “Like the boss, he wore high-heeled boots”(25).…
Graeme Turner Mr. Douglass English Coming of Age Literature, Period 3 October 3rd, 2016 Title Marginalization in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men sets apart all the characters, creating life-like and leveled characters. Lennie is pushed aside for his mental inability and incompetence. Sexism is highly prevalent against Curley’s wife, being abused because of her gender. Crooks is discriminated against due to him being African American. Candy’s age puts him at a disadvantage to all of the other workers, being unable to perform as well as the rest of the men, and therefore being regarded as a lesser being.…
Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty Mother Teresa. The impact of loneliness on any human being lures them towards sadness and depression and oneself can come upon this feeling even while accompanied by others. The quantity of people who are in your life, versus the quality of each of those relationships can determine whether a person will be lonesome or gratified. Throughout the tenacious times of the great depression, labors often traveled from site to site picking up meagre jobs, And not to mention, blowing off their money on useless entities, leading the laborers to purposeless solitary life. Through the marginalization of the three characters crooks, candy, and Curley’s wife, the motif of loneliness…
Curley’s Wife: Alone and Unloved In John Steinbeck’s novella Of Mice and Men, Curley’s wife is a lonely character described as a “tart” (28). She only identifies as “Curley’s wife” in the book, and, as a result, she is not ever given a name. Curley’s wife has an obvious relationship with Curley, but other than him, she has no other relationships. This is because the men on the ranch have a fear of causing trouble with Curley.…