Curley’s wife is portrayed as being a whore – but this is only due to the way she dresses, her provocative ways and the way she acts around men, as if she is aware of her femininity. This could suggest that she is only like this because she is bored, like it is something to do – something interesting for a change. She is constantly trying to get people to notice her. But, because of Lennie’s purity and innocence, he doesn’t see her in the way other men do – a sexual object. When Steinbeck quotes “And because she had confided in him, she moved closer to Lennie and sat beside him”, it is clear to the audience that Curley’s Wife is using her sexuality as an object to create some sort of excitement for herself.
The Corrupting Power of Women The portrayal of women in Of Mice and Men is limited and unflattering. We learn early on that Lennie and George are on the run from the previous ranch where they worked, due to encountering trouble there with a woman. Misunderstanding Lennie’s love of soft things, a woman accused him of rape for touching her dress. George berates Lennie for his behavior, but is convinced that women are always the cause of such trouble. Their enticing sexuality, he believes, tempts men to behave in ways they would otherwise not.
This enforces the idea that unlike Lennie, she is a complex character in the novel. Steinbeck mentioned that Curley’s wife’s voice had a “nasal, brittle quality” which is a clear sign of her flirtatious behaviour. Although her intentions were flirty, the fact that it was described as ‘nasal’ by the author made it obvious that it was unpleasant to the ears. The reaction from George made it clear to the reader that she was an attractive woman, however he was being apprehensive as he “looked away from her and then back”. This contrasts with Lennies reaction as his “eyes moved down over her body” blatantly checking her out.
She also tries to ally with them when she says ‘I’d like to bust him myself’, she is referring to Curley and says how she also hates him too. In addition to this candy says ‘curley’s wife can move quiet. I guess she had a lot of practice though’ meaning she is always after men behind curley’s back that she has got very skilled and can leave without anyone
She then compares herself to those who live by society the "right" way, those are perfect people and she is not perfect so she does as she pleases (Lines 105-120). The highlight of that section explain this is where she states "Virinitee is a greet perfection". The Wife of Bath is not perfect but nobody is, her ways of living and doing things come from her sexual desire because in stories it's even said that she would go on these trips and "wonder". Harwood points out that before the Pardoner interrupts there are three points which are consistent, first one being the “wo in marriage” , the second one she insists she may be lawfully marry for sexual fruition and the third “tribulation” debt, and
A feminist point of view would find these women to be flawed, for they cannot survive without the assistance of a man. The book tells the story of a “manly life” in first person dialogue. Considering every female Odysseus encounters “falls in love” with, we can equate that he makes his own problems based off of his ego. In a way, the Odyssey is not just the tale of the wanderings of Odysseus. The poet has made it into a type of descriptive catalog of women, in which he examines women of all kinds and from all backgrounds through objectification.
An example of a relationship turned futile in the face of marginalisation is Curley's wife. Steinbeck writes her as the most complex character, showing us three sides to her. In section two Candy describes her as, 'a tart', which gives us the impressin that she sleeps around so much that everyone knows about it. This point is further reinforced by Curley, who is always looking for her. Steinbeck portrays him as paranoid and insecure for which he overcompensates for with aggression.
The first reason is that because Abigail Williams is extremely manipulative and vindictive. Abigail tries to get Procter to pity her saying, “You loved me, John Proctor, and whatever sin it is, you love me yet! John, pity me, pity me!” (Miller 22). Abigail wants Procter to pity and give her what she wants, regardless that his wife caught them once and can catch them again. Another reason their relationship is dangerous is that if John Procter were to prosecute against Abigail Williams saying that she is in fact a witch, Abigail Williams could very easily tell the entire town that she and Procter have been having an affair to get revenge on him.
The Villain A villain is someone capable of a crime or wickedness. Curley's wife demonstrates that she is a villain by causing emotional harm to others. She talks to other guys and start disputes between the workers and Curley on various occasions. She also does not hold back when it comes to insulting people she does not hold back and always makes sure that everyone is beneath her. In the novel Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck Curley's wife demonstrates multiple time that she is a villain and in many ways is the cause of her own death.
Not only is it fair simply because she deserved the judgement that she got, but steinbeck has fairly portrayed curley’s wife to suit the time period in which the story was set. The way Curley’s wife is treated reflects how many women were treated in those days. There was very limited respect for women, especially of her description. They were the odd one’s out and possessions of their husbands. If the story were to be set at present date, his depiction would have been seen as unfair and sexist, considering women are viewed very differently today.