In Steinbeck’s novella Of Mice and Men, Curley’s wife is a significant character that many may overlook. At a glance, she is a tart—a trouble maker trying to attract men. She may even seem malicious based on some interactions with other men. However, as the novella progresses, and more sides are revealed about her. Curley’s wife is a victim of isolation, and loneliness, and she has learned to take on a new persona. Overall, Curley’s wife represents the treatment of women in the 1930’s, and her relationship with Curley and her loneliness adds much death to the novella itself.
The setting of the novella is Soledad, California during the 1930’s has arguably one of the worst periods for men and women. The economy was falling apart as the Great …show more content…
At first, she is shown as a mere tart, however as the novella progresses, Steinbeck tells otherwise. It is evident that Curley’s possession is not in love with Curley, as she states herself, “I don’ like Curley. He ain’t a nice fella” (Steinbeck 89). It is deduced that Curley’s wife married Curley in a need of money and stability, along with her frustration over her broken dream. Her dream was to become a movie star, according to her conversation with Lennie, she says: “Well a show come through…He says I could go with that show. But my ol’ lady wouldn’t let me…. If I’d went, I wouldn’t be livin’ like this, you bet” (Steinbeck 88). Signifying her shattered dream and her regret—she just wanted be recognized as herself and make a name for her as a star. However, marrying Curley after giving up on her dream did the opposite of what she wanted—she is no longer herself; she is reduced to Curley’s wife. Curley’s personality and how he treats his wife does not help the situation. Curley is a pugnacious and confrontational young man. His treatment of his wife equates roughly to a child obsessing, and being possessive over their favorite toy—thus, making Curley’s wife even more emotionally …show more content…
Almost everyone, especially Candy, blames Curley’s wife although she is the victim. Even as a corpse, she is the scapegoat, being blamed for her own death; many do not feel sympathy for her as they believe she had it coming for her. Even her own husband does not shed a tear for her. The only time Steinbeck portrays Curley’s wife as remotely beautiful is when she is dead. As he describes her lifeless body as “very pretty and simple, and her face was sweet and young” (Steinbeck 93), which is not her usual description; sadly, her beauty comes alive when she is dead. However, Curley’s wife’s death is the best moment for her—she has finally obtained her freedom. She is restrained by her gender, own husband, and the society itself; the only way she could be freed was to be dead. Also, her death resembles a stage play—a last moment suitable for and supposed-actress—her dream coming true moments before her death. As a corpse, she is even more fit symbolize her docile life as a woman in the time
The setting of the novella is Soledad, California during the 1930’s has arguably one of the worst periods for men and women. The economy was falling apart as the Great …show more content…
At first, she is shown as a mere tart, however as the novella progresses, Steinbeck tells otherwise. It is evident that Curley’s possession is not in love with Curley, as she states herself, “I don’ like Curley. He ain’t a nice fella” (Steinbeck 89). It is deduced that Curley’s wife married Curley in a need of money and stability, along with her frustration over her broken dream. Her dream was to become a movie star, according to her conversation with Lennie, she says: “Well a show come through…He says I could go with that show. But my ol’ lady wouldn’t let me…. If I’d went, I wouldn’t be livin’ like this, you bet” (Steinbeck 88). Signifying her shattered dream and her regret—she just wanted be recognized as herself and make a name for her as a star. However, marrying Curley after giving up on her dream did the opposite of what she wanted—she is no longer herself; she is reduced to Curley’s wife. Curley’s personality and how he treats his wife does not help the situation. Curley is a pugnacious and confrontational young man. His treatment of his wife equates roughly to a child obsessing, and being possessive over their favorite toy—thus, making Curley’s wife even more emotionally …show more content…
Almost everyone, especially Candy, blames Curley’s wife although she is the victim. Even as a corpse, she is the scapegoat, being blamed for her own death; many do not feel sympathy for her as they believe she had it coming for her. Even her own husband does not shed a tear for her. The only time Steinbeck portrays Curley’s wife as remotely beautiful is when she is dead. As he describes her lifeless body as “very pretty and simple, and her face was sweet and young” (Steinbeck 93), which is not her usual description; sadly, her beauty comes alive when she is dead. However, Curley’s wife’s death is the best moment for her—she has finally obtained her freedom. She is restrained by her gender, own husband, and the society itself; the only way she could be freed was to be dead. Also, her death resembles a stage play—a last moment suitable for and supposed-actress—her dream coming true moments before her death. As a corpse, she is even more fit symbolize her docile life as a woman in the time