Curley's wife paragraphs Flashcards
(7 cards)
Dreams
- Curley’s Wife is the quintessential example of why the American Dream was never meant for everyone. Her unfilfilled dreams and austere life served as a poignant reminder that for many, especially women, the American Dream was not just unattainable, but an illusion never meant to be idolised. Her tragic existence is heigtened in her final moments in the novella. She laments in the belief that she “could made somethin’ of herself”, accentuating the novellas theme of how the American dream always fails the working class. Steinbeck includes this moment to not only underscore her personal disillusionment, but also the broader reality of unattainable ambitions for most during the Great Depression - most workers remained chasing their dreams forever. Curley’s wife is Steinbeck’s mouthpiece; the American Dream is a myth. The colloquial syntax of “coulda” and “somethin’” reflects Curley’s wife’s working class background, subtly reinforcing the socio-economic barriers that have diminished her potential. Furthermore, the vagueness of “somethin’” implies an undefined longing - she does not articulate a specific path she wishes to take until later, highlighting her desperate and tragic notion that she was meant for more. Moreover, Steinbeck could be suggesting that she clings to her unrealistic dreams simply as a way to escape the misery that surrounds her on the ranch. In visualising “all them nice clothes” they wear in Hollywood, she is able, if only briefly, to inhabit the glamorous world she so desperately longs for. Like the ranch workers who fantasize about owning land, her dreams are no more than a facade crushed by the harsh realities of the world Steinbeck depicts. Curley’s wife, and her dreams, serve as a deep metaphor for all who are trapped by their circumstances, with no room to dream big or thrive.
Gender roles in 1930s America
Steinbeck’s portrayal of Curley’s wife illuminates the intersection of gender and power in the novel. As the only female character, she is marginalized and objectified, her worth measured solely by her relationship to Curley rather than her individuality. Her dream of stardom represents a desperate yearning of autonomy in a society where women’s fates are largely dictated by men. James Truslow Adams’ 1931 novel “The Epic of America” details the American Dream as an idealized notion of society where “life is better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement”. However, Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men exposes the hollowness of this promise, particularly for women, who are systematically denied the chance to obtain personal sovereignty. Curley’s wife falls victim to this, as Curley wearing a “glove fulla vaseline” portrays how he deems his wife merely as a sexual object designed to bring him pleasure. Curley’s wife’s tragic existence unfolds from a youthful dream of stardom—when she ‘coulda been in the pictures’—to the haunting image of her lifeless body lying alone in the ranch, a poignant symbol of unfulfilled dreams and profound isolation, and a metaphor for the fates of women in 1930s America. Furthermore, her role on the ranch is one of isolation, mirroring the broader exclusion of women from importance and society. The men reduce her to a mere “Curley’s wife” rather than granting her an identity of her own. She is a target of discrimination with even Lennie, who is unable to understand such roles in society, referring to her as misogynistic terms such as “jailbait”, underlining how she is perceived not as a person with dreams and emotions, but simply as an ostentatious female looking to tempt men and cause harm. This is further heightened when the ranch workers tarnish Curley’s Wife’s reputation, with Candy warning George and Lennie that she “got the eye” before they had even met her. This reflects how in this era, women were often misjudged and unfairly labeled as “tarts” solely based on them trying to look nice.
Loneliness
Curley’s Wife, in my opinion, was the loneliest character in Of mice and Men. Throughout the novella it is made evident that she is a shunned individual whos company is blatantly unwanted by the workers on the ranch; she is systematically excluded from the activities on the farm, and is frequently ganged up on by the men present on the ranch. She confides in Lennie that she “never gets to talk to nobody” and that she feels “awful lonely,” revealing the depth of her isolation. In their private encounter, her eagerness to connect stems more from desperation than genuine companionship. As the only female on the ranch she is deliberately avoided, leaving her starving for attention and human interaction. Aware of Lennie’s mental vulnerability, she subtly manipulates the situation, knowing he is the most likely to engage with her and momentarily ease her loneliness. The immense extent of her loneliness is reinforced in her frustration in being left to talk to “a bunch of bindle stiffs” while everyone else is “doin’ som’pin’” on a “sat’iday night”. She lashes out at Lennie, Candy, and Crooks, belittling them and feigning anger over being left to talk with society’s outcasts. However, it is clear to me that her true frustration stems from a deeper truth; she is even more marginalized than they are. Her bitterness reflects a painful realisation — that even these anomalies to society reject her, highlighting the depth and true nature of her isolation.
Relationship with Curley
Curley and his wife share a complex and strained relationship, with their struggles becoming increasingly apparent as the novella unfolds. As Of Mice and Men progresses, Curley’s wife’s true feelings about their marriage gradually come to light. The reader first gains a genuine insight into Curley’s wife’s true feelings toward her husband following his altercation with Lennie. When Candy accuses her of “foolin’ aroun’” instead of remaining loyal to her husband, she responds with biting sarcasm, referring to Curley as a “swell guy.” This remark subtly reveals her regret over marrying him and underlines the shallow, fractured bonds at the heart of their relationship. Her disapproval becomes even more evident when she shows gratitude toward Lennie for having “bust[ed] Curley up a little bit,” adding that Curley “got it comin’ to him.” This moment is where it becomes apparent to the reader just the extent of lack of affection inherent in their marriage. Furthermore, Curley’s wife makes it obvious that she feels trapped within her marriage with Curley. When she reveals that she can’t talk to “nobody but Curley.. else he gets mad”, she exposes the toxic masculinity and power imbalance that lay the foundations of their marriage. Curley is restricting his wife from having a social life, exposing how he deems her more of a posession than a partner. The connotations of Curley’s wife being more of an asset to Curley than a loved one is further heightened in his “glove fulla vaseline”. This simple detail about Curley underlines how he objectifies her, seeing her as merely a sexual object to bring him pleasure rather than a companion for life.
Relationship with other characters
