The novel Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck takes place on a ranch in the Salinas Valley, California, during the Great Depression of the 1930s. It was Steinbeck’s first work that gained him national recognition as a writer. Addressing the dreams and aspirations of the working class, Steinbeck’s narrative elevates the lives of the impoverished and marginalized to a symbolic level. The title alludes to the notion that plans made by both mice and men often go awry, drawing inspiration from Robert Burn’s poem “To a Mouse.” Despite its publication, the book has faced criticism for its depiction of individuals with mental disabilities, people of different races (particularly black people), and the portrayal of women. Set intentionally in Salinas, Steinbeck’s deep understanding of his characters is evident as he keenly observes his surroundings and writes his novels based on his sensory experiences. This is particularly true for Curley’s wife, one of the many well-developed characters in the novel.
Through our familiarity with her, we gain insight into the tragedy of life. We witness various perspectives of her, both positive and negative, and find ourselves revolving around this character. However, we also see personal growth, as the character evolves. In the novel, she can be seen as a misfit as nobody can relate to her. Thus, Steinbeck’s portrayal and development of Curley’s wife in Of Mice and Men is explored. Throughout the narrative, Curley’s Wife is frequently depicted in a negative light, reflecting the prevalent views on women during that time period. It is Candy who first introduces her to the reader.
The woman, referred to as a ‘tart’, immediately generates a prejudiced perception of her. Upon encountering her ‘full rouged lips,’ ‘wide-spaced eyes heavily made up,’ ‘red fingernails,’ and her ‘hair hung in little rolled clusters like sausages,’ it becomes apparent that Candy’s description aligns with her appearance, supporting the notion of the ‘tart theory.’ The author portrays Curley’s wife as provocative and audacious. Her physical traits suggest that she does not belong on a working ranch and is leading a life opposite to her desires. It is evident that she is excessively dressed for ranch life.
The text suggests that being an attractive woman leads to inconsistent behavior. The woman in question presents herself with confidence but dresses in a provocative manner. Her appearance is a plea for the attention and admiration of men on the ranch. It is possible that her actions stem from her unhappy and unfulfilling marriage. Candy remarks, “well-she’s got the eye,” indicating that the community is aware of the trouble and agitation caused by Curley’s wife. She possesses a flirtatious manner of speaking to other men. Initially described wearing red clothing, the color red may symbolize seduction, trouble, danger, or something negative.
Despite having only met Curley’s wife, we have a feeling that something bad is going to happen and she will be the main cause. This anticipation made me, as the reader, imagine all the possible outcomes and left me curious and eager to continue reading. The color red can symbolize various opposites like ‘blood’ and ‘Valentine’s Day’. The shades and textures of red can mirror the transformation of Curley’s wife’s character throughout the book, from dark to light and from thick to thin. This perception is further highlighted by Curley’s Wife’s initial introduction in the novel.
Steinbeck employs the use of light as a symbolic element to illustrate Curley’s wife’s imposing nature, as evident in his words, “The rectangle of sunshine in the doorway was cut off.” This description of a rectangle as a four-sided shape implies that she possesses four distinct facets of her personality. These facets are showcased throughout different stages in Of Mice and Men, which influence our perception of her. These stages encompass our initial impressions, her immediate aftermath of death, her conversation with Crooks, and her interaction with Curley in the barn. In the opening of chapter 2, Candy recounts to George and Lennie details about Curley’s wife.
Rumours and gossip had permeated the ranch, informing George and Lennie that Curley’s wife, despite only being married for two weeks, was already showing interest in other men. This suggested that Curley’s relationship with his wife was devoid of love, a mere affair. Consequently, Curley’s wife was deprived of attention, potentially explaining her flirtatious actions throughout the story. However, the reader is subsequently exposed to a different aspect of her character, one that goes beyond mere flirtation and occasionally displays malice.
In chapter two of the book, Curley’s wife expresses her overwhelming loneliness. She repeats the phrase “I get lonely” and adds “I get awful lonely” to emphasize her isolation and frustration. She is unable to talk to anyone except for Curley, which only adds to her frustration. As the story progresses, her frustration becomes more evident as she talks to Lennie. Steinbeck describes her words as “tumbling out in passion,” highlighting her desperate need for communication and the intense power behind it.
The noticeable aspect is that she has been clearly silenced and suppressed by her husband. What is particularly remarkable is that whenever she speaks, people are accustomed to walking away from her, and it is this behavior that induces such sympathy for her. She is a woman who pays close attention to her surroundings, constantly dreaming due to her profound dissatisfaction with her own life. Curley’s wife enjoys discussing the opportunities she has missed. She frequently recounts her encounter with a traveling actor who informed her that she could join their show. She also relishes sharing the story of how she received an offer to go to Hollywood but solemnly swears that her mother stole the letter.
Curley’s wife is oblivious to the fact that men are not genuinely interested in her talent. She is completely self-absorbed and lacks the ability to accurately assess her own abilities and position. She is simply dissatisfied with her current situation. In one instance, she claims “If I’d gone, I wouldn’t be livin’ like this, you bet,” indicating that she had once aspired to be a renowned figure. Furthermore, she references someone who called her a “natural,” illustrating that she might be influenced by the American dream and still harbors hopes and dreams despite previous failures.
Throughout the book, the American dream is a recurring theme for various characters on the ranch. George and Lennie have their own dream of “livin of the fatha tha lan,” which ultimately ends in tragedy as George is forced to kill Lennie. They are constantly inspired and driven to achieve their dream, unintentionally pulling Crooks and Candy into their fantasy. Hope is a crucial element for all of Steinbeck’s characters, as it provides them with strength, joy, peace, unwavering love, and most importantly, a chance to rest during the difficult times of the depression.
The ranch workers lacked these qualities and desperately needed them to rekindle their faith in the American dream during tough times. ‘Curley’s wife’ is not just a name, but also a symbol of how women were seen by their husbands at that time – as possessions owned only by men. When Curley’s wife married him, she became his property. Everything she owned now belonged to him. Steinbeck may be highlighting this authority and power by having Curly even take her name, so that she is no longer seen as an individual but rather as someone associated with Curley – she no longer has her own identity.
The utilization of a possessive apostrophe accentuates the point further that she is his property and he exerts control over her. Although she attempts to challenge societal norms and expectations, he always restrains her dominance. This parallels the experiences of numerous women in 1930s America, who faced subordination due to male dominance. During this era, women held little respect, lacked choices, a voice, and voting rights. They were grouped with the insane and children. *In the novel, she states “They left the weak behind,” referring to Crooks, Lennie, and Candy, who were all considered “weak” in their own ways. However, there is irony because she herself was not regarded as a real individual but rather as property. Alongside the men, she acknowledges that she, as a woman, was considered weak similar to the disabled, elderly, people of color, and mentally ill. Consequently, society views her as inferior to men, diminishing her importance and perceiving her as deficient both mentally and physically. There can be various reasons for her inferiority; her gender, appearance, and race (according to Crooks).
Curley’s wife presents herself in a provocative manner, which causes the boys to view her as promiscuous and unpleasant. When she enters the bunkhouse where Lennie and George are located, she is adorned in a vibrant “red cotton house dress” and feather-like “red” slippers. This appearance evokes various impressions for me: she may desire attention from the boys due to her dissatisfaction with her marriage, or she might intend to enhance her personality through heavy makeup. Alternatively, she could be seeking solace from her troubled past as an actress. I believe that Curley’s wife’s physical appearance incites her sexually suggestive behavior and flirtation, which extends beyond mere amusement to becoming an essential part of her social interaction. Her encounter with George exemplifies this when she positions herself against the door, concealing her hands behind her back and leaning forward provocatively. This suggests that she is not receiving the love and attention that a newlywed woman should receive from her husband, leading her to seek validation from other men.
George’s reaction to Curley’s wife foreshadows the trouble she will bring and suggests that their dream will be disrupted. His use of derogatory language, such as calling her “jailbait,” raises questions about his sexism and implies deeper meanings. By referring to her as a “trigger,” George suggests she will cause negative consequences. As readers, we are presented with various ideas that could justify this prediction of a tumultuous situation. The introduction of Curley’s wife creates a sense of unease, as it indicates that Lennie will become entangled in her troubles.
George acknowledges from the outset that he constantly finds himself in unfortunate situations, stating, “You do bad things and I got to get you out” (p. 11). The incident in Weed involved a girl, and Curley’s wife happened to be the only female on the ranch. There is a noticeable sense of insecurity between these two individuals. Furthermore, there is later a suggestion that Lennie may harm her, given his history of unintentionally causing harm to animals. This ultimately leads to significant consequences, including Curley’s wife’s death. In chapter 4, our dislike for Curley’s wife intensifies due to her racially offensive language towards Crooks. She states, “Well you keep your place then Nigger.” This remark reveals her familiarity with power and some level of authority. It also reinforces the initial perception of her as a “tart” and a “bitch.” She further exacerbates the situation by only threatening Crooks when he requests that she leave and stop causing harm. This exemplifies her tendency to exploit the weaknesses of others to boost her own self-esteem. She specifically preys on Lennie’s cognitive limitations and Candy’s age-related infirmities. It is during these moments in the narrative that we are both repelled by her cruel attitude and drawn to understand why she behaves in such a manner.
This passage explores our growing hatred towards Curley, as we come to realize that he is the cause of the loss suffered by his wife. Furthermore, his aggressive behavior might be the main factor behind the shattered hopes of people striving for the American Dream. Steinbeck’s intention was likely to provide us with a deeper understanding of the characters, enabling us to see both their positive and negative qualities. Particularly in the concluding chapters, we gain insight into the complexity of Curley’s wife. This is evident in a specific chapter where she confides in Lennie, revealing her dreams, hopes, and disappointment with those who have let her down.
Curley’s wife evokes sympathy in this moment as she reveals her longing for conversation and recounts her unhappy life. As she nears her death, the reader gains a more sympathetic understanding of her character, realizing that she is not entirely wicked but is compelled to conform to societal expectations. Steinbeck purposefully elicits this reaction to intensify our sorrow over her demise. It appears that death was the only escape from her unhappiness, implying that Lennie unintentionally benefited her. Throughout the narrative, Lennie inadvertently caused harm to multiple entities.
As each one grows larger, the mouse, the puppy, and eventually Curley’s wife, it becomes apparent that Curley’s wife was merely another “pet,” something kept for appearance without genuine worth. Her only means of seeking attention was through donning lovely attire and appearing attractive, which ultimately leads to her demise. In her death, she is portrayed as sweet and innocent, allowing her innate beauty to shine through. This illustrates that her negative life experiences have shaped her behavior, and death becomes her sole remedy for this affliction.
Curley’s wife is initially portrayed as a simple stereotype, labeled as a “tramp,” “tart,” and “bitch” whose presence poses a threat to male happiness and longevity. However, as the novel progresses, she evolves into a more multifaceted and intriguing character beyond the typical vixen in red shoes. Initially despised as a “prostitute,” our perception changes as we witness her naïve nature, misguided aspirations, and desperate yearnings. Steinbeck elicits our empathy, compelling us to desire a brighter future for this unnamed character.
