Despite being the only female on a ranch full of full-mouthed men, Curley’s wife exploits both her sexuality and her status to demonstrate power throughout the novel. For example, finding Lennie in the barn, Curley’s wife tries talking to him while the other workers are playing horseshoes: "She moved closer to him and she spoke soothingly. 'Don't you worry about talkin' to me. Listen to the guys yell out there. They got four dollars bet in that tenement None of them ain't gonna leave till it's over' " (87). In this situation, Curley’s wife uses her charm to motivate Lennie to bend to her will, even though it is against his better judgement and George’s advice. Simple minded, Lennie falls into her trap, and engages in a dangerous conversation. Curley’s wife also uses her high status in the boss’s family to deal out judgement on the
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Earlier in the novel, emotionally neglected by Curley, she attempts to alienate her loneliness by visiting the men in Crooks room. When Crooks demands that Curley's wife leave, she snaps, "Listen, n*****. You know what I can do to you if you open your trap?" (80) Because of her position as the boss’s daughter-in-law, one word from Curley’s wife could put anyone, especially Crooks due to his racial status, on bad terms with the boss. This status gives her power over the workers at the ranch, allowing her to, in some degree, influence their actions toward her desires. Even in the silence of death, Curley’s wife destroys the hopes of George and Candy. After the murder of Curley’s wife, Candy realizes that their dream has disappeared: “ ‘You an’ me can still get that little place can’t we, George? Can’t we?’ Candy dropped his head and looked down at the hay.
Earlier in the novel, emotionally neglected by Curley, she attempts to alienate her loneliness by visiting the men in Crooks room. When Crooks demands that Curley's wife leave, she snaps, "Listen, n*****. You know what I can do to you if you open your trap?" (80) Because of her position as the boss’s daughter-in-law, one word from Curley’s wife could put anyone, especially Crooks due to his racial status, on bad terms with the boss. This status gives her power over the workers at the ranch, allowing her to, in some degree, influence their actions toward her desires. Even in the silence of death, Curley’s wife destroys the hopes of George and Candy. After the murder of Curley’s wife, Candy realizes that their dream has disappeared: “ ‘You an’ me can still get that little place can’t we, George? Can’t we?’ Candy dropped his head and looked down at the hay.