“How does this add to your understanding of women’s role within society at this time?” In this passage, Curley’s Wife is confiding in Lennie. A few lines into the extract, she asks Lennie “Ain’t I got a right to talk to nobody?”- Which could show that women at this time were told what to do, and whom they were allowed to talk to by their husbands. Women at this time were seen as having a lower status than men. Obviously Curley’s Wife does not love her husband, which is delicately shown when she tells Lennie “I don’t like Curley, he’s not a nice fella.” It is noticeable that Curley’s Wife does not have a name throughout the novel. She is only addressed as “Curley’s Wife” – her real name is never said.
He uses symbolism when she is first introduced; “Both men glanced up, for the rectangle of light was cut off.” The reference to the light can suggest that she cuts off the light because she is a negative character, and/or she takes away anything, which is good. The description of Curley’s wife starts with “a girl” that suggests that she appears looking sweet and innocent, childlike even. During the description, the colour red is repeated several times, “rouged lips”, ”her fingernails were red”, “red mules” and “red ostrich feathers”. This is a key thing because usually the colour red means; love, danger, blood, prostitutes – red light district, and passion. Red is also a primary colour in which young children are attracted to, this could explain why Lennie likes her so much; he has a childlike manner.
The simile used in this quote emphasises the lack of fidelity within both texts. Even thought the women are portayed as unfaithful in both texts, so are the men. In 'cosi fan tutte' the men do not participate in adultary however they both disguise themselves as albainians. Their deception is a betrayal of their wives trust. As seen in 'cosi', when the stage lights black out, lewis shares a kiss with Julie, however later on it's revealed that julie has a girlfriend she'd rather be with.
Candy carries on calling her a 'tart' even when she is lying on the floor with a broken neck. From the beginning of the story George and Candy describe her as trouble and warn Lennie to keep away. This emphasizes the point that they are way more mature than her and cannot relate to a 'girl'. They are too old to be fooled by her games. Or in other words, George and Candy are seen as the dads in the situation and Curley's wife as the daughter trying to manipulate her fathers to get what she wants.
Explore the ways in which Curley’s wife is presented and developed in Of Mice and Men The first time the reader is introduced to Curley’s wife is when Candy tells George that Curley has recently got married and that ‘he’s keepin’ that hand soft for his wife’. She is spoken as though she is a pet/animal who needs soft, gentle hands when touched. This method of introduction does not present Curley’s wife in a favourable light. The men at the ranch are gossiping about her sex life which has been made public to them. Steinbeck leads the reader to believe that Curley does not really care about his wife; if he did, he would not be flaunting their private life and he would consider her dignity.
Curley's wife shattered Lennie and George's dream of a farm the same way Eve tempted Adam to eat from the forbidden tree, ending their paradise. By referring to her as 'Curley's wife' instead of giving her a name he depicts how women were second to men, inferring she was Curley's property. Another reason Steinbeck doesn't give her a name is to show that he believes women are minor compared to men; therefore they don't deserve a name. Steinbeck makes a reference to prostitutes in Sandy's place, illustrating the idea that women were just objects in the hands of men making them victims of society. He exposes the idea that "women are treated as nothing more than sexual objects" (Fisher and Silber 254).
How Steinbeck presents Curley’s wife in this passage above? Intro: In of mice and men, Curleys Wife is presented in many numerous ways. Steinbeck depicts Curley’s wife not as a villain, but rather as a victim. Like the ranch-hands, she is desperately lonely and has broken dreams of a better life. She's the only female character in the novel, and she's never given a name and is only referred to in reference to her husband.
The fact that Powell states that the old woman has lost her husband and both her sons in a war; her house is her ‘only asset’ influences the audience to raise sympathy for her. Not only is she left with nothing apart from the seven-roomed house, she has only £2 pounds per week. This further highlights her helplessness and solitude. Through the use of semantic fields and passive verbs, the old woman is perceived as a frail victim. She is “abused”, “feared” and “would have been attacked” demonstrates her powerlessness in contrast to the violent image of the immigrants.
This novel is set in the time period of the Great Depression and many people were not given equal rights. Curley’s wife is an outcast in the novel. If Curley ever saw her just hanging around he would tell her to go back to the house. Curley is always looking for his wife to make sure she is not talking to the other men. “You seen a girl around here?”(37).
Mrs. Mooney was previously involved in a dysfunctional marriage to a “shabby stooped little drunkard” (61). Similar to her own marriage, Mrs. Mooney indirectly forces Polly to marry for money. Mrs. Mooney is a ruthless character as a result of her previous troubles. Consequently, Mrs. Mooney’s maternal connection with Polly is non-existent, turning their relationship into a business. When Mrs. Mooney is observing Polly’s interactions with young men, she becomes frustrated that “none of [the men] meant business” and considers sending Polly back to her previous job (63).