Curley’s Wife Flashcards
How do the men feel about Curley’s wife?
All the men (apart from Slim) are wary of Curley’s wife because she’s so flirty. They know that if they flirt back, there’ll be dangerous consequences.
What does Curley’s wife experience on the ranch?
Curley’s wife is lonely and often bursts into the bunkhouse. She expresses her loneliness by saying, ‘I get awful lonely.’
What derogatory terms do the men use for Curley’s wife?
The men call her ‘jail bait’ and a ‘rattrap’. This turns out to be somewhat true, as Lennie is lured by her to his (and her) death.
How is Curley’s wife’s physical appearance described?
She’s described as ‘purty’, wears a lot of make-up, and is proud of her hair. She uses her looks to get attention.
What color symbolism is associated with Curley’s wife?
She wears a lot of red — her lips are ‘rouged’ and her fingernails and shoes are red. This links her to the girl in Weed with the red dress, hinting that Lennie will hurt her too.
How does Steinbeck portray Curley’s wife before and after her death?
Before her death, she is described with harsh terms, but after her death, she is seen as ‘pretty and simple’ and ‘sweet and young’, showing her innocence.
What does Curley’s wife want from the men on the ranch?
She wants companionship and often pretends to look for Curley, but is really seeking attention from the men.
What does Curley’s wife say about her dreams?
‘I coulda made somethin’ of myself.’ This reflects her unfulfilled dreams of becoming a movie star.
How does Curley’s wife manipulate her situation?
She is quite cunning and aware of the power she has over Crooks and Candy, and is not afraid to use it.
