Heroes and Villains: Explore the Ways Sympathy for and or Dislike of a Character in the Text You Have Studied

1325 Words6 Pages
Throughout the novella ‘of mice and men’ John Steinbeck uses portrays Curley’s wife in many different ways, through the use of various language techniques and imagery. In this essay I will look at how the reader’s attitude towards Curley’s wife changes based on her portrayal, and how she is perceived by other characters. Curley’s wife is portrayed in various ways in of mice and men. Before her first appearance, she is talked about behind her back to Lennie and George. The other workers decide to warn them about her and tell them to stay away. They describe her using words such as ‘tart’ and ‘jailbait’. These are negative words that you would usually associate with someone who is dangerous and will get you into trouble. The term ‘jailbait’ is a word that has connotations of danger, as it means that it will cause you to get into trouble. The term ‘tart’ has connotations of someone who is unfaithful, and this would cause the reader to distrust Curley’s wife as a character. Steinbeck gives the reader the impression that she is portrayed as a villain as the workers did not have nice things to say about her. We are encouraged to dislike her without actually her being present or doing anything in the story. Steinbeck also uses light and darkness to portray attitudes towards Curley’s wife. An example of this is when Curley’s wife first appears in the bunkhouse; both Lennie and George notice that the rectangle of sunshine is cut off. The rectangle of light being cut off symbolises the little hope that Lennie and George had for their future. Steinbeck uses the word ‘sunshine’ to gain an association with the hope that Lennie and George has to own their own farm. Steinbeck contrasts this by using the word, ‘Cutting’ which implies that Curley’s wife has the power to end their hopes and dreams. Curley’s wife cutting off their light could encourage the reader to distrust her,

More about Heroes and Villains: Explore the Ways Sympathy for and or Dislike of a Character in the Text You Have Studied

Open Document