Curley

Question 1

Curley being insecure (trying to fight Lennie) quote

Answer 1

“Come on, ya big bastard. Get up on your feet. No big son-of-a-bitch is gonna laugh at me.”

• Shows Curley’s aggressive, insecure nature and his need to assert dominance.

Question 2

Symbolic significance

Answer 2

Curley symbolizes toxic masculinity and the destructive effects of power when combined with personal insecurities. He serves as a foil to characters like Slim, who embodies calmness and authority without cruelty.

Question 3

Aggressive and confrontational

Answer 3

Curley frequently picks fights, often targeting those he perceives as weaker or those who challenge his authority. His aggressive nature serves as a contrast to the passive and gentle Lennie.

Question 4

Insecure

Answer 4

Despite his status as the boss’s son, Curley harbors deep insecurities, particularly regarding his small stature. This results in a need to assert dominance, often through physical intimidation.

Question 5

Possessive and jealous

Answer 5

Curley is extremely possessive of his wife, often paranoid about her interactions with other men. His jealousy creates tension on the ranch and leads to critical turning points in the plot.

Question 6

Source of conflict

Answer 6

Curley’s antagonism drives several key moments in the novella. His fight with Lennie, for instance, reveals Lennie’s immense physical strength and foreshadows the tragic events to come.

Question 7

Representative of power and privilege

Answer 7

As the boss’s son, Curley wields power that he frequently abuses. He represents the hierarchical struggles of the 1930s and the dynamics of social inequality on the ranch.