In Of Mice and Men, the reader gains insight into life in the 1930s through character symbolism. Each character represents a certain type of person who may have existed during that era. The novel follows the journey of George Milton and his mentally disabled companion, Lennie Small, who are migrant workers searching for employment during the Great Depression. The story depicts their strong bond of friendship and their efforts to protect and support one another. John Steinbeck skillfully conveys character symbolism throughout the narrative.
The author demonstrates the difficulty of achieving the American dream during The Great Depression and the inequality faced by women and those with mental differences at that time. Curley’s wife serves as a symbol of the treatment of women in the 1930s when they were objectified and lacked rights and freedoms. Women were unable to pursue the American dream due to their status as property belonging to men, which deprived them of independence beyond the role of a housewife.
One example of how Curley’s wife is treated as an object is evident in the fact that she is not given a name. Throughout the story, she is only referred to as Curley’s wife, and her actual name is never revealed. This lack of individual identity adds to the perception that women, including Curley’s wife, are considered worthless and exist solely to fulfill the role of mistreated housewives. Women in this society were limited in their opportunities and often faced a future of prostitution. Consequently, Curley’s wife led a mundane and unexciting life, particularly when her husband was absent, which left her feeling lonely.
Curley’s wife articulates her feelings of isolation, revealing that she feels lonely and can only engage in conversation with Curley without him getting angry. This quotation highlights the profound loneliness she endures while all the men, including her own spouse, are away in town. It demonstrates how she spends most of her time alone within the confines of her house while the men toil in the fields. She is limited to communicating solely with her husband, who is consumed by his work, leaving her with a sense of living a solitary existence.
Curley’s wife, like many others, aspired to achieve the American dream by becoming a well-paid actress. In this quote, she expresses her desire to be part of the film industry and enjoy its perks such as fancy clothes and luxurious hotels.
In addition, she longs to attend movie previews and be featured on radio shows without any financial burden due to her involvement in movies.
She remembers receiving a compliment from someone who believed she had natural talent.
These dreams symbolize her yearning for a more fulfilling and successful life compared to her current circumstances (Steinbeck 88).
During the 1930’s, women faced significant challenges in pursuing and realizing their dreams. In the novel Of Mice and Men, the use of character symbolism offers readers a glimpse into the realities of life during that time period. Curley’s wife serves as a symbol representing the limited level of equality that women experienced. They were often treated as mere possessions and objects, with very little agency. Through Curley’s wife, Steinbeck skillfully highlights the difficulties of achieving the American dream in an era overshadowed by The Great Depression and marked by unequal treatment of women and those with mental differences.
