In Part 2 of Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, Curly's wife is described as having "full, rouged lips and wide spaced eyes, heavily made up. Her fingernails were red. Her hair hung in little rolled clusters, like sausages. She wore a cotton house dress and red mules, on the insteps of which were little bouquets of red ostrich feathers... she put her hands behind her back and leaned against the door frame so that her body was thrown forward" (Steinbeck 30). Curly's wife assumed this position to appear more attractive and flirtatious, try to seduce George and Lennie. I think this behavior as well as the character's name and physical description reflect the inferior status of women in the 1920s and 1930s.
Curly made the inappropriate joke to his coworkers of wearing a "glove fulla vaseline" to "keep a hand soft for his wife." Most likely, Curly's wife had no choice to obey her husband and fulfill his wishes, as women were of inferior status. This is exemplifies how Curly's wife was treated more as a possession by her husband. This also explains why Curly's wife acted so seductively towards George and Lennie. Presumably, Curly's wife resents her husband for treating her like a toy and flirts with other men on the ranch to make him jealous. Curly's wife may also be seeking the attention and love that she does not receive from her husband.
There is also a reason for Curly's wife's extravagant makeup and revealing clothing. Curly's wife uses her beauty to compensate for her lack of social status. Even though she lives on a ranch, she dresses elaborately to seem desirable to other men. However, this has the opposite effect of what she intended, because the other men at the ranch see her as "a tart."
Curly's wife's name is also proof of how poor people were treated in the 1920s and 1930s. She is simply referred to as "Curly's wife" or even derogatory terms such as "bitch" and "tart." This is representative of how low women were in social status. Curly's wife was considered so insignificant that she was not called by her proper name. Therefore, based on the mannerisms, physical description, and name of this character, Curly's wife reflects the poor treatment of women in the 1920s and 1930s.
Curly made the inappropriate joke to his coworkers of wearing a "glove fulla vaseline" to "keep a hand soft for his wife." Most likely, Curly's wife had no choice to obey her husband and fulfill his wishes, as women were of inferior status. This is exemplifies how Curly's wife was treated more as a possession by her husband. This also explains why Curly's wife acted so seductively towards George and Lennie. Presumably, Curly's wife resents her husband for treating her like a toy and flirts with other men on the ranch to make him jealous. Curly's wife may also be seeking the attention and love that she does not receive from her husband.
There is also a reason for Curly's wife's extravagant makeup and revealing clothing. Curly's wife uses her beauty to compensate for her lack of social status. Even though she lives on a ranch, she dresses elaborately to seem desirable to other men. However, this has the opposite effect of what she intended, because the other men at the ranch see her as "a tart."
Curly's wife's name is also proof of how poor people were treated in the 1920s and 1930s. She is simply referred to as "Curly's wife" or even derogatory terms such as "bitch" and "tart." This is representative of how low women were in social status. Curly's wife was considered so insignificant that she was not called by her proper name. Therefore, based on the mannerisms, physical description, and name of this character, Curly's wife reflects the poor treatment of women in the 1920s and 1930s.
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ReplyDeleteI didn't realize all of this. Great job on going into why she acted this way! I would have never thought of it! I really am not a fan of the treatment of women in the 1920s and 1930s. This really made me think.
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