The Influences of Curley's Wife on the Development of John Steinbeck's novel, Of Mice and Men

'Of Mice and Men' is based around two main themes; loneliness, and the fragility of dreams. Each main character connects with both of these themes at some stage throughout the novel. Curley's wife is no exception to this. At the beginning of the novel the reader views her as an unpleasant, naive and troublesome character. However, as the novel progresses, the reader is gradually exposed to another side of Curley's wife, one that suggests she is merely a

Essay about Curley’s wife Curley’s wife is the only female character in the novel Of Mice of Men; Curley’s wife is never given a name and is only referred to in reference to her husband. Like the other people on the ranch, she is very lonely and has dreams of a better life which never come true. The author John Steinbeck introduces Curley’s wife in a symbolic ness way, this is shown when George is talking to Lennie about the dream and when Curley’s wife first meets both the men. “Both men glanced up, for the rectangle of sunshine in the doorway was cut off.

The next time Steinbeck presents Curleys wife is in her conversation with Lennie, Candy and Crooks. In this extract we see how Curleys wife clearly enjoys having power over others and because she is the only girl on the ranch she is prone to discrimination by being made to feel like one of Curleys possessions. We first get

John Steinbeck uses Curley 's wife to portray the woman 's role in the 1930s. Back then, women were treated as property and trophies to their husbands. Women 's insignificance is signified by the fact that Curley 's wife is never given a name. She is always referred to as Curley 's belonging. Additionally, Carlson 's statement about Curley 's wife needing to go back to her place where she belongs characterizes women 's roles by saying that women should be at home performing domestic chores. In essence, women were looked down upon and never seen as equal to the men.

The character of Curley’s Wife is very hard to unravel, as throughout the book, Steinbeck’s representation of women through characters such as George and Candy, is very harsh. This is because the sociological opinion at that time was that they were either, mothers, sisters, or prostitutes,

The American Dream is that the ideal that every US citizen should have an equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination, and initiative.

The term “American Dream” is defined as an idea which believes that all people have the possibility of prosperity and success. The idea first came from James Adams, a noted American writer and historian. He claimed, “Life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability and achievement.” Therefore, the core concepts of the American Dream were closely linked to hard work and opportunity.

Steinbeck’s theme is that you could lose anything at any point in life. In the novel, out of nowhere Curley lost his wife. It was unexpected, no one would have thought that would happen. As much as Curley acted like he didn't care for his wife when it came down to it, he would give her the revenge she needed and/or deserved. “By Christ, he’s gotta talk when he’s spoke to. What the hell are you gettin’ in for?” (Steinbeck,

The men think she is a “tart” and they don’t want to talk to her. I think she is all alone and has no one to speak to about anything. She is the only woman on the ranch and her husband is arrogant and he doesn’t cherish her enough. Curley’s actions trigger the need for his wife wanting attention and a friend. If he had it his way, she’d be locked up in the house all day. Curley’s wife knows this and it makes her want to get out and chat with other men to make him mad. I think Curley’s wife is a victim to the world she is existing in. The whole world is against her and I think Steinbeck wanted the reader to know this. He wrote about how everything she could’ve had was taken away from her. Her own mother denied her a life of movies and acting and her husband denied her friends and a social life. Curley’s wife is just misunderstood and a victim of the times.

First, Steinbeck’s illustration of Curley’s wife conforming to the violence surrounding her as seen through the heavy diction he used against her. There many times in the novel where Curley’s wife is verbally abusing people, calling Crooks, Lennie, and Candy “a nigger an’ a dum dum and a lousy ol’ sheep” (Steinbeck 89) instead of showing the proper respect of the wife of the boss’ son and a white woman. The novel “Of Mice and Men” is not kind in its portrayal of women. In fact, women are treated with contempt throughout the course of the book. Steinbeck generally depicts women as troublemakers who bring ruin on men and drive them mad and also describes them as

Steinbeck leads the reader into a false sense of understanding by directing the reader’s sympathy towards Lennie and the destruction of his dream as well as his naïve innocence. At first it seems as though Curley’s Wife plays the catalyst however, as the plot develops and our understanding of her does, we realise behind the hard exterior she is rather a victim of solitude and prejudice within the ranch. Curley’s Wife is used to highlight a variety of ideologies and motifs within the novella. She is also used to emphasise the theme of the impossibility of the American Dream. She is used as a metaphorical device to

Curley's wife is the only female character in Of Mice and Men. Steinbeck uses Curley’s wife to display how men treat women. She is not referred to by her own name, rather, she is referred to as Curley's wife which makes her Curley’s property. Women are not seen as whole people, they are seen as men’s objects. While George and Whit are playing cards, Whit says, “Well, you’ll see plenty, she ain't concealin’ nothing.” (51). This quote displays how demeaningly the ranch hands view Curley's Wife. Another quote that portrays men’s views on women is, “She’s a jail bait all set on the trigger.” (George 51). George says Curley’s wife can get Lennie in trouble because of what happened in Weed. This is significant because it displays foreshadowing

star, but she has to stay on the ranch on "Sat'iday night" and talk to

A perfect portrayal of Steinbeck's theme and overall message is Curley's wife. Curley's wife is first introduced by Candy, he tells George and Lennie that she is a "tart", this sets her up in a negative light. Not only are these feelings shared by Candy but most of the other men on the ranch as well. She is probably one of the most isolated and lonely person on the ranch. She has a husband who doesn't really care for her, as a husband should. She's just something Curley can put to the side when he wants to. Also being the only woman on the ranch, she is not able to have real

One character in the story does not even have a name: Curley’s wife. Steinbeck illustrates her as someone who is a pawn of those around her. On the surface, she is reduced to a rude and selfish woman. But, if one looks deeper, Curley’s wife’s gender and class hinder her high aspirations and reduces her to ridicule. Her husband restricts her contact with others and does not show any affection towards her. She reveals this while