Curlys wife Flashcards
why is she seen as promiscuous
Not named: shows her inferior status and the objectification of women.
Presents herself provocatively and is seen as promiscuous. Associated with red.
what does promiscuousness cause
her to be Sexually objectified
whats her employment status
Not employed.
whats her mindset
Lonely. Desperate for attention.
what does she crave
Aspirational. Craves glamour, tenderness and escape from brutality and coarseness Vulnerable
Yearns to escape.
is she nice?
no shes cruel. Targets the weak.
name 4 quotes talking about Curlys wife
“purty”
“she got the eye”
“tart”
“tramp”
if Curlys wife comes up, what should you make reference to?
Steinbecks letter to the actress playing Curleys wife
To Claire Luce Los Gatos [1938]
Dear Miss Luce:
Annie Laurie says you are worried about your playing of the part of Curley’s wife although from the reviews it appears that you are playing it marvelously. I am deeply grateful to you and to the others in the cast for your feeling about the play. You have surely made it much more than it was by such a feeling. About the girl—I don’t know of course what you think about her, but perhaps if I should tell you a little about her as I know her, it might clear your feeling about her.
whats the role of women at this time
Domestic roles of women encouraged
Importance of frugality in the home in time of hardship
Focus on home making for women: condemnation of women taking men’s jobs; women often needed more qualifications than a man to get the same job; gendered employment
Sexual commodification of women (pertinent to Curley’s wife’s role as a sexual object for her husband and desire to be a visual spectacle with her movie star aspirations)
whats Aunt Clara like?
Idealised
Represented through analepsis and fictional imaginings
Embodies domesticity and nurturing
relating to biblical allusion, what were the two types of women?
mothers or prostitutes
