Of mice and men exam preparation:
Yellow highlight – key points to remember
Green highlight – direct quotes
Explore the importance of the role of Curley’s wife in the novel:
Curley’s wife is vital to this novel in various ways.
First and superficially, she is depicted as a woman who dressed fancy and
seductive which represents the temptation of female sexuality in a male
dominated world. Descriptions to her might refer back to the “flappers” in
1920s. Flappers of the 1920s were young women known for their energetic
freedom, embracing a lifestyle viewed by many at the time as outrageous,
immoral or downright dangerous.
She is described as “heavily made up”, “red fingernails”, “dress with red
mules”, “bouquets of red ostrich feathers” when George and Lennie first meet
her in the ranch. These are all descriptions to her fancy appearances which
the writer spent lots of words on. The phrase “heavily made up” implies that
her intention of seducing and developing flirting relationship with people in
the ranch as woman normally do not make up heavily in their own house.
Notably, three features of her are given the colour “red” which is sometimes
seen as the symbol of love and desire. However, this is a patriarchal society in
which a wife was expected to be domesticated and entirely loyal to their
husband.
Comments on her from other ranch people also help to build up her image as
a fancy vixen. She is called as “tramp”, “tart”, “bitch”, “looloo” and so forth
which are all insulting words, Besides, Lennie kept repeating: “she’s purty”. As
Lennie lacks intelligence and common sense, he says what he sees,
suggesting the charm of Curley’s wife to men though others refuse to admit.
However, she is seen as a dangerous “jailbait”. George warned Lennie after
realizing his fascination on Curley’s wife. He said: “Well, you keep away from
her, 'cause she's a rattrap if I ever seen one.” George refers to her as a
“rattrap” that indicates that Curley’s wife might get them in trouble.
Second, she is profiled as a lonely woman who is excluded from the ranch
community. she is never named in the novel, which reflects how she is not
valued as a person. Her character demonstrates the exclusive attitude
towards women that may have been held by men such as the ranch workers
at the time. She is only thought of in relation to her husband and is never
seen by the other characters as a worthwhile individual.
, When she meets Lennie, Crooks and Candy in the ranch while everybody else
is out playing games, she was “breathless with indignation”. She said:
“everybody out doing something and what am I doing? Standing here talking
to a bunch of bindle stiffs – a nigger and a dum-dum.”. In this quote, she is
extremely angry and frustrated because she is lonely (everybody out) and
excluded (they have fun without her). She can only talk to the weakest and
least-welcomed group in the ranch: disabled Candy, dumb Lennie and Black
Crooks. She is upset about the fact that others are “doing something” while
she is “doing nothing” which make her life lonely and meaningless. Her
situation is also clearly portrayed during the conversation with Lennie, Crooks
and Candy: “she looked from one face to another, they went all closed against
her.” This quote points out the fact that she is excluded by even the weakest
group in the ranch. They all “closed against her” when she seeks for eye-
contact.
She’s excluded for a reason – her image and reputation as a fancy vixen.
Thus, ranch people tend to stay away from her. She realized that as well. She
said: “If I catch any one man, and he’s alone, I get alone. But just let two of
the guys get together and you won’t talk.” In this quote, Curley’s wife states
the fact that everyone needs companionship, not necessarily a sexual
relationship but someone to talk to. Her desire of communication with others
indicates her loneliness. She also states that man won’t talk to her if they
were together and the reason of that is explained in the next quote. “you’re
all scared of each other, that’s what. ever’one of you’s scared of the rest is
going to get something on you.” A sense of isolation is created here. People’s
attitudes to her are clear here – they would like to talk to her but not in front
of others. They fear others will spread the rumours around as they don’t want
to be related with a “floozy” woman.
Her marriage and life with Curley aren’t pleasant and she personally hates
Curley. This suggests women’s status in the marriage in 1920s. Married
women were expected to devote themselves to running the household, raising
children and to agree to their husbands’ judgment. If they refused to obey
(just like Curley’s wife), their marriage will turn into a perishing situation.
“think I’m gonna stay in that house and listen how Curley is gonna lead with
his left twist, and then bring in the of right cross?” a rhetorical question is
asked here, conveying her frustration of living with Curley. She portrays
Curley’s addiction to violence and how he constantly shows that off which
annoy her. Presumably, Curley is violent towards her sometimes which made
their marriage miserable. Besides, she’s “flared up” when she says it,
conveying her anger and dislike against Curley.
Yellow highlight – key points to remember
Green highlight – direct quotes
Explore the importance of the role of Curley’s wife in the novel:
Curley’s wife is vital to this novel in various ways.
First and superficially, she is depicted as a woman who dressed fancy and
seductive which represents the temptation of female sexuality in a male
dominated world. Descriptions to her might refer back to the “flappers” in
1920s. Flappers of the 1920s were young women known for their energetic
freedom, embracing a lifestyle viewed by many at the time as outrageous,
immoral or downright dangerous.
She is described as “heavily made up”, “red fingernails”, “dress with red
mules”, “bouquets of red ostrich feathers” when George and Lennie first meet
her in the ranch. These are all descriptions to her fancy appearances which
the writer spent lots of words on. The phrase “heavily made up” implies that
her intention of seducing and developing flirting relationship with people in
the ranch as woman normally do not make up heavily in their own house.
Notably, three features of her are given the colour “red” which is sometimes
seen as the symbol of love and desire. However, this is a patriarchal society in
which a wife was expected to be domesticated and entirely loyal to their
husband.
Comments on her from other ranch people also help to build up her image as
a fancy vixen. She is called as “tramp”, “tart”, “bitch”, “looloo” and so forth
which are all insulting words, Besides, Lennie kept repeating: “she’s purty”. As
Lennie lacks intelligence and common sense, he says what he sees,
suggesting the charm of Curley’s wife to men though others refuse to admit.
However, she is seen as a dangerous “jailbait”. George warned Lennie after
realizing his fascination on Curley’s wife. He said: “Well, you keep away from
her, 'cause she's a rattrap if I ever seen one.” George refers to her as a
“rattrap” that indicates that Curley’s wife might get them in trouble.
Second, she is profiled as a lonely woman who is excluded from the ranch
community. she is never named in the novel, which reflects how she is not
valued as a person. Her character demonstrates the exclusive attitude
towards women that may have been held by men such as the ranch workers
at the time. She is only thought of in relation to her husband and is never
seen by the other characters as a worthwhile individual.
, When she meets Lennie, Crooks and Candy in the ranch while everybody else
is out playing games, she was “breathless with indignation”. She said:
“everybody out doing something and what am I doing? Standing here talking
to a bunch of bindle stiffs – a nigger and a dum-dum.”. In this quote, she is
extremely angry and frustrated because she is lonely (everybody out) and
excluded (they have fun without her). She can only talk to the weakest and
least-welcomed group in the ranch: disabled Candy, dumb Lennie and Black
Crooks. She is upset about the fact that others are “doing something” while
she is “doing nothing” which make her life lonely and meaningless. Her
situation is also clearly portrayed during the conversation with Lennie, Crooks
and Candy: “she looked from one face to another, they went all closed against
her.” This quote points out the fact that she is excluded by even the weakest
group in the ranch. They all “closed against her” when she seeks for eye-
contact.
She’s excluded for a reason – her image and reputation as a fancy vixen.
Thus, ranch people tend to stay away from her. She realized that as well. She
said: “If I catch any one man, and he’s alone, I get alone. But just let two of
the guys get together and you won’t talk.” In this quote, Curley’s wife states
the fact that everyone needs companionship, not necessarily a sexual
relationship but someone to talk to. Her desire of communication with others
indicates her loneliness. She also states that man won’t talk to her if they
were together and the reason of that is explained in the next quote. “you’re
all scared of each other, that’s what. ever’one of you’s scared of the rest is
going to get something on you.” A sense of isolation is created here. People’s
attitudes to her are clear here – they would like to talk to her but not in front
of others. They fear others will spread the rumours around as they don’t want
to be related with a “floozy” woman.
Her marriage and life with Curley aren’t pleasant and she personally hates
Curley. This suggests women’s status in the marriage in 1920s. Married
women were expected to devote themselves to running the household, raising
children and to agree to their husbands’ judgment. If they refused to obey
(just like Curley’s wife), their marriage will turn into a perishing situation.
“think I’m gonna stay in that house and listen how Curley is gonna lead with
his left twist, and then bring in the of right cross?” a rhetorical question is
asked here, conveying her frustration of living with Curley. She portrays
Curley’s addiction to violence and how he constantly shows that off which
annoy her. Presumably, Curley is violent towards her sometimes which made
their marriage miserable. Besides, she’s “flared up” when she says it,
conveying her anger and dislike against Curley.
