The novel is a microcosm. a transverse subdivision of society reflecting the bias. Blacks had no rights in America ; they were seen as ‘nobody’s. Women excessively had really few rights. The itinerant workers ended to be lone wolfs. All these people were forced into solitariness and isolation ; they each had a dream in hope of a better life frequently referred to at the clip as ‘The American Dream’ .
Cardinal to Steinbeck’s novel is Curley’s Wife and her importance in the novel is of how she revolves around the novels chief subjects and events. Curley’s Wife is excluded for being female. she is frequently found in hunt for company on the spread as her freshly found matrimony does non give her the fondness she desires. as she states to Lennie “I don’t like Curley he aint a nice chap. ” Because of this she frequently tries to interact with the other work forces although she is ne’er allowed as they think a “ranch aint no topographic point for a miss. ” Carlson besides states of how a “women should be at place where she belongs. ” The fact that she is excluded from a topographic point of physical work is declarative of how adult females were portrayed during the 1930’s. They were non expected to make work. but alternatively remain at place and raise a household. Curley’ married woman feels insecure because of the solitariness she feels and it is made clear she is frustrated with this state of affairs. “none of them care how I got ta unrecorded. ”
Throughout the novel as similar to Crooks. Curley’s Wife is non named. This highlights her deficiency of individuality on the spread and how she is viewed as the belongings of her hubby. As a consequence of her insecurities. she tries to battle her solitariness and isolation by fall backing to force. Her barbarous onslaughts on Crooks to acquiring him “strung up on a tree” and the onslaughts on Lennie due to his mental disablement demo how loneliness can non merely alter a individual. but destroy them. All of the emotions Curley’s Wife encounters come as a consequence of the solitariness she feels. and these clearly represent of what a terrifying character she is.
One manner in which Steinbeck presents Curley’s Wife is through the usage of sarcasm. Curley’s Wife demands her topographic point in the spotlight nevertheless all she does is cast shadows and acquire negative attending “sunshine in the room access was cut off. ” Steinbeck does this to bode and suggest at the unhappy stoping of her. She is incognizant that she is doing so much hurting and casting shadows so it is dry that when she dies the light leaves her. “the Sun runs were high on the wall by now. ”
Like many of the characters in the novel. Curley’s Wife besides has a dream. Her dream is to be “in the films. ” Many adult females during the 1930’s had a similar dream similar to this as they thought about the exhilaration that would follow. although even in Steinbeck’s cruel universe it is made clear dreams are merely dreams and the shatter of hope is clearly inevitable even for a delicate individual such as Curley’s Wife.
In all. Curley’s Wife is of import throughout the novel as she increases the range of many of the cardinal events and subjects which occur. Steinbeck uses her as a vehicle at clip to portray the adult females during the 1930’s. It is made clear she is menace to George and Lennie’s dream nevertheless besides a victim of sexism and solitariness. Steinbeck makes it clear that company is a critical portion for human felicity.
