...Steinbeck represents Curley as an arrogant and self-centered man. This might be because his wife is a flirt and craves attention from people as she doesn't receive it from her husband. She knows that her beauty is the only way she can get attention from other men as she is young and attractive. Therefore other men in the ranch label her as a "tart", "jailbait" and she's got "the eye", which is a stereotype that the men place on her. This also gives an impression to the reader that she is out to cause trouble and eventually she does cause trouble for the men as well as making a big mistake of her own undoing. Curley's wife is wearing a "red cotton house dress" and a pair of mules decorating with "bouquets red ostrich feathers" emphasising her sexual presence. Her clothes are also described as "red" referred to the colour of love and compassion. Also, the bouquets red ostrich feathers would have been very expensive in the times Of Mice and Men was set; and that she only wore them in the middle of the "Dust bowl" which suggests that she was desperate for attention and she was willing to ruin her best shoes in order to allure the men, despite the fact that she has a husband. Steinbeck is creating a much richer character...
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...his wife have the most power; they control and bully the others on the ranch. Curley’s wife likes to let people know that she has power, and she can do as she pleases without being punished (Beatty). For example she bullies Crooks because he’s black, she explains to him that she could have him lynched if he does anything wrong (Steinbeck 81). Although her biggest strength was her beauty; she knew how to use her looks so others would do what she wanted (McMurray). She has the ability to make all conversations cease when she walks in a room and because of her flirtatious ways everyone moods shift in another direction (Beatty)....
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...The issue of sexism was very present in the 1930s compared to how it is now. Steinbeck’s use of the character of Curley’s Wife is the only female character in the novella. Steinbeck uses different methods to diminish the importance of Curley’s wife Steinbeck never gives Curley’s Wife a name. This is done to show that she does not have any identity or position on the ranch. As Curley’s Wife is a representation of all women in the 1930s I feel Steinbeck uses her to show that she does not have any identity or position on the ranch. As Curley’s Wife is a representation of all women in the 1930s I feel Steinbeck uses her to show that most women back then had no identity or position in the working world. Steinbeck uses methods of introduction to show the reader the hardships of women in the 1930s. Steinbeck never introduces Curley’s Wife throughout the novella. I feel Steinbeck does this to show that although to the reader she is an important character, she is insignificant in the 1930s society. However Curley’s wife upon meeting George and Lennie never introduces herself. This shows that the character herself feels insignificant in society. She feels that she is unwanted and no one cares for her so no one would need to know her name. Curely’s Wife is also only introduced to other people as “Curley’s Wife”, I think that Steinbeck does this to show that Curley, her husband, is in possession of her, like so many other women in 1930 in other situations. No characters...
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...John Steinbeck: Of Mice and Men This scene in Of Mice and Men is made extra tense by the author, John Steinbeck, by a mixture of linguistic devices, description and speech. Curley’s wife is introduced in this scene and it starts by describing her. In the novel “Of Mice and Men” John Steinbeck tells a story of dreams, hopes and loneliness. We are introduced to a majorly significant and complex character, Curley’s wife. Steinbeck shows us that Curley’s wife is flirtatious, mischievous but most of all an isolated character. She plays a main part in the novel; in doing this she displays and presents many of the main themes. Before we are presented to Curley’s wife, Candy talks about her, to George and Lennie. She is spoken about in a gossipy manor. “I think Curley’s married a … tart.” Steinbeck is prejudicing and preparing us before we meet Curley’s wife. He does this, so that we have an influenced preliminary impression of Curley’s wife and the way she acts. Steinbeck creates tension in this scene as, at the start, he builds up a stark image in our mind about how Curley’s wife looks. He also makes it very clear to us what both George and Lenny are thinking. Lenny is dazzled by Curley’s wife’s beauty whereas George is more wary of her and knows better than to chat with her too long. We develop an initial perception of Curley’s wife as being flirtatious and promiscuous. This is shown at the entrance of Curley’s wife’s. Steinbeck first introduces us to her appearance, “full...
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...a) How does Steinbeck present Curley’s wife in the novel ‘Of Mice and Men’? Use details from the text to support your answer. Steinbeck presents Curley’s wife’s life on the ranch as being a miserable one, and a life she didn’t expect to lead with her aspirations of being a movie star. She evidently isn’t ready for life on the ranch, as Steinbeck describes her as a “girl”, suggesting that she’s young, immature, and possibly quite quick-tempered and impetuous as she “flared up”. This suggests that she makes very quick, rash decisions, which is supported by the fact that she married Curley the night she met him. Her bad temper also has strong links to the colour red, which is often thought of as being quite a brash, angry colour, and is a recurring theme throughout the novel when it comes to Curley’s wife. She is described as wearing red mules and lipstick, and having red nails which she admires frequently. This could link to Steinbeck’s use of a hand motif throughout the story. Curley’s wife asks “what happened to Curley’s han’?” after complaining about being stuck with him for a husband, suggesting that she doesn’t have a happy married life, even though they’re only 2 weeks into their marriage. She’s extremely sarcastic when referring to her husband – “swell guy, ain’t he” – because of how she’s treated. Everybody thinks less of her as she’s a young woman (or possibly even in her late teens) in the 1930s, which was very much a male dominated society. Steinbeck uses Candy’s reluctance...
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...Curley’s Wife Impressions of Curleys Wife John Steinbeck sees Curleys wife a 'nice girl' and not a 'floozy' however in the novel 'Of Mice and Men', Steinbeck introduces the character of Curley's wife; she could be interpreted as a mis-fitting character in the novel. In the novel Curley's wife is probably the most loathed on the ranch, the way she looks and acts lead others on the ranch to see her as a 'tart'. Additionally Curley might be the reason of Curley's wife behavior; Curley's wife is clearly lonely in the novel because Curley doesn't pay much attention to her. The lack of attention from Curley forces her to seek it elsewhere. She flirts with the other characters on the ranch but they pay her no attention either. In this essay I am going to examine whether Curley's wife is a tart or not. I will consider how some of the other characters in this novel, Of Mice and Men, perceive her. Using this information I will draw a conclusion about her personality and nature. A tart is defined as someone who dresses up gaudily and exposes her body features to attract the opposite sex. It is usually described for someone who is a prostitute. John Steinbeck portrays Curley's wife, as a tart at the beginning of the novel, however as it progresses the way he presents her is opposite. At the end of the novel we see that she presents herself as a tart because of the intense loneliness she experiences. She seems to always to want to get attention from the other men, however this does...
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...Sexism is a major problem in our society. Not only in the past, but in the present, and most likely the future, both men and women have been and are segregated in various ways. In the story ‘Of Mice and Men’ by John Steinbeck, Curley’s wife is judged harshly men. Although John Steinbeck was not a sexist person himself, he wrote about a time when women did not have nearly as much freedom as we have today. It is evident that the men working in the story, were sexist to Curley’s wife by treating her like an object, not a person. Curley’s wife is well known around the farm. For one, she is the boss’s son’s wife, but the reason that everybody knows her, is that they think she’s a tramp. “George looked around at Lennie. ‘Jesus, what a tramp,’...
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...English and Literature Karina's Paper In: English and Literature Curley’s Wife Impressions of Curleys Wife John Steinbeck sees Curleys wife a 'nice girl' and not a 'floozy' however in the novel 'Of Mice and Men', Steinbeck introduces the character of Curley's wife; she could be interpreted as a mis-fitting character in the novel. In the novel Curley's wife is probably the most loathed on the ranch, the way she looks and acts lead others on the ranch to see her as a 'tart'. Additionally Curley might be the reason of Curley's wife behavior; Curley's wife is clearly lonely in the novel because Curley doesn't pay much attention to her. The lack of attention from Curley forces her to seek it elsewhere. She flirts with the other characters on the ranch but they pay her no attention either. In this essay I am going to examine whether Curley's wife is a tart or not. I will consider how some of the other characters in this novel, Of Mice and Men, perceive her. Using this information I will draw a conclusion about her personality and nature. A tart is defined as someone who dresses up gaudily and exposes her body features to attract the opposite sex. It is usually described for someone who is a prostitute. John Steinbeck portrays Curley's wife, as a tart at the beginning of the novel, however as it progresses the way he presents her is opposite. At the end of the novel we see that she presents herself as a tart because of the intense loneliness she experiences. She...
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...of the Great Depression, the setting is abundant with hardships which immensely mould the reader’s ambivalent feelings towards the most dominant female character in this book: Curley’s Wife. Steinbeck’s depiction of this flirtacious but “lonely” temptress has the reader leaping from heartbreaking sympathy to nurturing an intense abhorrence for Curley’s Wife. In the very first few moments that the novel introduces Curley’s Wife, she is immediatley condemned to the reader’s dislike because the author depicts her character as a threat to not just George and Lennie, but their aspirations to “live off the fatta the land”. The author intends to establish Curley’s Wife by labelling her to be an ominous threat from the very beginning as “the rectangle of sunshine was cut off” by her mere first appearance. Steinbeck’s particular use of the word “sunshine” is symbolic of hope which is derived from the main theme in this novel – the American Dream, or rather a paradise that has resulted in false hope flourishing in their hearts. This is in correlation to the “sunshine” which is evidently referring to George and Lennie’s vision of owning a farm. Furthermore, the fact that she is “cutting off” this dream, indicates that she possesses the power of a threat and hence, an obstacle in our protagonists’ paths. Curley’s Wife’s power to tarnish their dreams stems from the fact that she is a woman and this is Steinbeck’s strong reflection of the sexist minds that dominated the American society in...
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...buckers and together they meet the memorable characters of the book. This novella written by John Steinbeck centers around one’s power and powerlessness and reveals that those who are powerless are, more often times than not, treated differently than their powerful counterparts. This theme is ever-present in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men through its characters’...
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...of Curley's Wife in 'Of Mice and Men' How is Curley's Wife presented in 'Of Mice and Men'? The novel is a microcosm, a cross section of society reflecting the prejudice. Blacks had no rights in America; they were seen as ‘nobody’s. Women too had very few rights. The itinerant workers ended to be loners. All these people were forced into loneliness and isolation; they each had a dream in hope of a better life often referred to at the time as ‘The American Dream’. Central to Steinbeck’s novel is Curley’s Wife and her importance in the novel is of how she revolves around the novels main themes and events. Curley’s Wife is excluded for being female, she is often found in search for companionship on the ranch as her newly found marriage does not give her the affection she desires, as she states to Lennie “I don’t like Curley he aint a nice fella.” Because of this she often tries to interact with the other men although she is never allowed as they think a “ranch aint no place for a girl.” Carlson also states of how a “women should be at home where she belongs.” The fact that she is excluded from a place of physical work is indicative of how women were portrayed during the 1930’s. They were not expected to do work, but instead stay at home and raise a family. Curley’ wife feels insecure because of the loneliness she feels and it is made clear she is frustrated with this situation, “none of them care how I gotta live.” Throughout the novel as similar to Crooks, Curley’s Wife...
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...Birling for AIC -Steinbeck can use the theme of fate to present Curley. - Curley does not have to work hard like the others but still holds power because he is the Boss's son. - Curley picked a fight with Lennie. Lennie hurt Curley. George asks slim "Slim, is Curleys old man gonna can us?" George is worried as Curley has authority because he is the Boss's son. - Curley is said to be evil and was born with authority. - Steinbeck uses Curley to highlight the American Dream. No matter how hard you work success only comes to those who are fated to receive it. This links to the theme of fate. And his fate has brought him power and authority because of what he can do and because he is the Boss's son. he predicts it's Curley for OMAM, Mr Birling for AIC -Steinbeck can use the theme of fate to present Curley. - Curley does not have to work hard like the others but still holds power because he is the Boss's son. - Curley picked a fight with Lennie. Lennie hurt Curley. George asks slim "Slim, is Curleys old man gonna can us?" George is worried as Curley has authority because he is the Boss's son. - Curley is said to be evil and was born with authority. - Steinbeck uses Curley to highlight the American Dream. No matter how hard you work success only comes to those who are fated to receive it. This links to the theme of fate. And his fate has brought him power and authority because of what he can do and because he is the Boss's son. How Does Priestley Present Mr Birling Priestley...
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...Curley’s wife is a minor character in the novel, ‘Of Mice and Men’ (OMAM), the author, John Steinbeck uses a variety of techniques to present her as such. Steinbeck does this to make the reader form different opinions of the character, which gradually change as the story continues. One of the techniques Steinbeck uses is structure, even prior to meeting Curley’s wife the reader is forced to form a negative opinion of her character. This is important structurally as it gives a sense of foreshadowing and foreboding. Candy, the old ranch hand, tell us “… purty… but-“ the ‘but’ tells us a lot more than ‘purty’ does as all ‘purty’ tells us is that Curley’s wife is pretty whereas ‘but’ is purposely left open so that the reader, and George in the novel, may form a negative opinion of her character because that is the only reason why Candy is hesitant to finish his sentence as he would still be wary of George after only meeting him a short while ago. Forcing the reader to think negatively of and judge Curley’s wife is important as it gives the reader subtle hints as to her role in the outcome of the story. Light is used frequently as a symbol of hope in the novel and Curley’s wife is often shown as an obstacle between the men of the ranch and the idea of the American Dream, which is to have their own ranch and live off ‘the fatta the lan’’. “… the rectangle of sunshine in the doorway was cut off” – a ‘rectangle of sunshine’ represents the hope and it being described as a ‘rectangle’...
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...'How does Steinbeck present the importance of friendship to convey important ideas about America in the 1930's'? Steinbeck presents friendship as an important theme in the novel by embedding qualities in the characters personalities and their ways of life. This helps the reader to realise the theme of companionship in 1930's American society. Isolation and loneliness are recurring themes in the novel, and is a central issue for some characters. Curley's wife and Crooks especially are examples of attitudes in the 1930's towards women and black people. This helps the reader to identify that America in the 1930's was a very lonely and discriminative place. Curley's wife is an example of a lonely character seeking companionship in the novel. This also gives us an insight to women's status in the hierarchical structure in society, because she is so neglected of friendship. Steinbeck presents friendship as a luxury, which is desired by many characters in the novel. 'Think I don't like to talk to somebody ever' once in a while?' Is an example of the neglect that Curley's wife feels, and how it affects her confidence. Friendship is hard for her to achieve because she is a woman, and the ranch 'ain't no place for a girl'. This demonstrates her lack of interaction with the other male characters. Another character who demonstrates the importance of friendship in the novel is Crooks. He is discriminated against because her is black. This automatically reduces him to the bottom of the...
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...Courtney White Victim or Manipulator? How do Shakespeare in ‘Macbeth’ and Steinbeck in ‘Of Mice of Men’ present female characters? Both Shakespeare and Steinbeck have presented their characters in ‘Macbeth’ and ‘Of Mice and Men’ as women who possess the features of a manipulator and a victim. Both elements are a question of power; manipulation being able to overpower someone else, whereas a victim is a subject to someone else’s power. Lady Macbeth and Curley’s wife both manipulate men using their femininity: Curley’s wife shows this as she manipulates the men on the ranch using her appearance and Lady Macbeth uses her sexuality to persuade her husband to kill the king and by welcoming Duncan into her home, even though she was plotting to kill him. Alternatively, there are differences between the two women, as Curley’s wife is lonely and isolated on the ranch, her husband disrespects her and is disliked by all the men on the ranch and as a result, manipulates the men innocently to get some attention. Lady Macbeth desires power and fame, and acts manipulatively and selfishly to get what she wants. Lady Macbeth is upperclass, giving her more freedom to do what she wanted. She had status, wealth, glamour and equal partnership with her husband. This was very unusual for the time- Shakespeare has presented her as a very modern anti-heroine. The writers have also presented the women as victims of their gender. During the time each text was written women had restrictions placed on...
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