Curley’s Wife Flashcards
What’s Steinbeck’s initial portrayal of Curley’s Wife?
Mean and seductive temptress
What is she connected to?
The Garden of Eve
How does she bring evil into men’s lives?
By tempting them in a way they cannot resist.
What quote of light imagery is used to first describe Curley’s Wife?
“The rectangle of sunshine in the doorway was cut off”
What does the light imagery symbolise?
It foreshadows her death and implies that she will be responsible for the destruction of all dreams.
What is the connection between Curley’s Wife and the girl in Weed?
They are both liars and manipulators of men
What does the negative portrayal of Curley’s Wife reveal about the society?
Women were neither respected nor appreciated, and they’re ere only used for what they could offer men.
Why does Curley’s Wife suffer from loneliness?
Because she’s the only woman on the ranch.
What does the fact that she’s defined by her role as being Curley’s ‘wife’ or ‘possession’ reflect on attitudes towards women?
They were expected to obey their husbands and they had no identity of their own.
What quote proves she’s nothing but a sexual conquests to Curley?
“Glove fulla Vaseline”
What quotes is she often referred as?
“tart”. “jail-bait”. “rat trap”.
Why does the ranch workers treat her unkindly?
Because of their fear of loosing their jobs, and that meaningful relationships with women are out of reach for them.
What quotes prove she is dressed inappropriately for the ranch?
‘rouged lips’. ‘eyes heavily made up’. ‘red mules’. ‘red ostrich feathers’.
What does the colour ‘red’ associate her with?
Danger and sex
What’s Curley’s Wife’s power?
Her beauty
What does she use her power of beauty for?
To flirt with the other men to gain attention and to become less lonely.
What quotes are used to show she flirts with the other workers?
‘Her body was thrown forward’ and ‘her lips parted’
What are the two reasons why she’s lonely?
She’s the only woman on the ranch and she’s married to a man she doesn’t like
What quote demonstrates Curley’s Wife’s negative view of Curley?
“I don’t like Curley. He ain’t a nice fella.”
Why is she always roaming on the ranch?
Because she’s looking for company
What does her marriage to Curley highlight at the time?
How few opportunities there were for women
Why did many women choose marriage?
To ensure financial stability
Why is she trapped in her marriage?
Because divorce wasn’t a realistic option
What quote is used when she announced her isolation to the men?
“Think I don’t like to talk to somebody ever’ once in a while? Think i like to stick in that house alla time?”
What role were women expected to conform to?
A housewife
What quote shows she’s perhaps more friendless than anyone els?
“I never get to talk to nobody. I get awful lonely.”
What was a personal reason for her to marry Curley?
To get away from home
What does her dream do to her?
Isolates her further from reality
What does her dream do to her?
Isolates her further from reality
What does Curley’s Wife’s dream share in common with the rest of the dreams?
It seems from her discontent with her circumstances
What is her dream?
To become a Hollywood actress, and to be a star and be ‘discovered’
What made Curley’s Wife want to be part of the film industry?
Because films in the 1930s were all about escape from reality and the glamour of another world, and based on fantasies
What are some examples of the type of films so wished of being part of?
King Kong, The Wizard of Oz, Gone with the Wind
What quotes are used when she talks to Lennie about her dream?
“I tell ya i could of went with shows”. “I coulda made somethin’ of myself”. “I wasn’t gonna stay no place where i couldn’t get nowhere”.
What does the fact she isn’t named show about her?
She is very low in status, she has no role, she has no place on a farm, and no value.
What do feminists argue that the role of Curley’s Wife is?
A passive victim, a threat to men, and someone described in terms of her sexuality.
What shows that Steinbeck has sympathy for her character?
Because she’s portrayed as a pathetic figure, with her own unrealisable dream, married to a man she hates, and with nothing to distract her from her unhappy marriage.
