Curly is arrogant, self-centered, and jealous. His wife is a flirt and lacks the attention she should receive from her husband. She is treated as a trophy by Curly. They got married shortly after meeting, and it seems that Curly’s wife married him mainly to escape her mother. Their marriage is very unstable, with a lack of communication, love, and respect.
Curly perceives his wife as an object he owns, utilizing manipulation, intimidation, and insensitivity to assert dominance over a woman who craves affection due to her loneliness. Although Curly’s wife is not devoid of intelligence, she is enticed by their affluent lifestyle and does not attempt to escape their relationship. However, she also wields some degree of influence over Curly. Notably, Curly’s wife has a strong hold on his thoughts, exacerbating his jealousy.
Curly, the only woman on the ranch, is concerned about her interactions with the men. If Curly couldn’t locate her, he would frantically search for her, as evidenced by his angry demand, “You seen a girl around here?”. This dynamic drove him mad, and she took pleasure in it. Consequently, their relationship is far from content, suggesting it is an unhealthy partnership. Do you believe that Curley and his Wife form a compatible couple?
Throughout the novel, it becomes evident that Curley’s relationship with his wife is far from the idealized notion of a perfect romance. They are tied together through their insecurities and loneliness, yet remain emotionally disconnected from each other. The novel is set in the American depression when ranching became essential for many people’s survival. The ranch owner, referred to as “the Boss,” held immense power that shaped the lives of his workers. He provided shelter, wages, and offered a respite from the bleak and solitary existence these mostly single men would otherwise face. It is arguable that he had the ability to control the fate of these men, influencing whether they lived or died. As the Boss’ son, Curley realized that he wielded authority over the other men, which allowed him to be the unpleasant individual he was. After Curley attempts to provoke Lennie, Candy informs George that Curley despises larger individuals.
Despite his appearance, his reputation in the ring has made him excessively confident and turned him into a bully who perceives everyone as a potential opponent. He targets individuals larger than him to compensate for the deep insecurity within himself, wanting the world to know that he is a “big man” despite his physical stature. Curley’s intense anger and animosity clearly impact his relationship with his wife. In the final scene of act 5, when confiding in Lennie, she openly expresses her disapproval of Curley, saying “I don’t like Curley.”
At first, Curley’s wife comes across as unlikeable. The men view her as promiscuous for the majority of the story. Nevertheless, it is only when she opens up to Lennie, who is innocent and unbiased, that we get a glimpse into her genuine personality, thoughts, and dreams. She is a complex character with aspirations of becoming an actress in the movies, which sharply contrasts with how others see her.
