The Marginalized: Curley's Wife Have you ever felt the extreme sexist challenges of being a woman? The irrational fear of differing from your peers and being judged on the basis of what sex you were born as, as "the bard of femininity," is on your shoulders, you are being objectified solely for the fact that you are female. In John Steinbeck’s 1937 novella Of Mice and Men, the author uses the themes of loneliness, isolation, and sexism to explore the theme of the marginalization of women in this time and how it leads to extreme dissociation, self-harm, and pain. Steinbeck's character Curley's Wife in Of Mice and Men exclusively represent women's marginalization because she is depicted as a tramp, and most people back then wouldn't
In the time period that this story takes place women were believed to be lower than men. Hence why her name is just Curleys wife she is his property at that time there for she doesnot need a name. ( Steinbeck 23) This shows that she is not valued as a human being among the others and its not just because Curley doesnt want her flirting with the other guys she is an outcast. Another example of discrimination based on the time period this takes place is Crooks for his
Steinbeck claims that in society women are oppressed in many ways. Towards the beginning of the book, in order to discourage Lennie from showing interest in Curley’s wife, George yells,“I seen 'em poison before, but I never seen no piece of jail bait worse than her,” (Steinbeck 34). George refers to Curley’s wife as a piece
In the novella “Of Mice and Men” one of Steinbeck’s central character is Curley’s Wife. Steinbeck presents her as a dangerous and powerful due to his language techniques like metaphor, simile and structure. However in a misogynistic society she can also be seen as a lonely and vulnerable character. Steinbeck’s use of symbolism especially towards Curley’s wife creates a dangerous and powerful persona.
Often, one’s social climate, including but not limited to the relationships that may exist in it, heavily influence one’s behavior. In John Steinbeck’s historical fiction novel, Of Mice and Men, Curley’s wife’s relationship with her husband impacts her behavior around employees of the ranch. Examples of this include her flaunting, arrogance, and sensitivity and these qualities offer insight about Steinbeck’s beliefs and opinions relating to women. Firstly, Curley’s wife often flaunts around the employees because of her relationship with Curley.
Is the sexism in Of Mice and Men purposeful? This is the question I needed to consider while writing this essay and researching. What I found when researching Steinbeck's political views was that he was a very radical person. Many of his books were burned especially by the very people who were the subjects of them. In 1962 the New York Times published a piece on him calling him quote: “ a “limited talent” whose work was “watered down by tenth-rate philosophizing.
John Steinbeck’s novella Of Mice and Men depicts women of the 1930s through the character of Curley’s wife. Women’s roles in the 1930s can be viewed by history, gender difference, and their duties. During the time the European conquest, Native American girls were taught homemaking skills by the Europeans to further change their society to a European society. (Lunardini, 8) Additionally, in the 16th-17th century, the Puritans believed that husband was the authority figure in the family and that his wife and children should obey without question.
In such time of the Great Depression and gender equality, this novel presents the character of sexism, Curley’s wife, to show how her dreams has been achieved through death. During her talk with Lennie, she tells him that she “‘[...]never get[s] to talk to nobody [and that she] get[s] awfully lonely’” (Steinbeck 86). Even though she is depicted as a flirtatious, “‘[...]purty [...] bitch’”, her true life was lonely and segregated from the male ranchers (Steinbeck 32). Steinbeck applies this paradox in the story to picture the reader about how a character’s identity can either encourage or ruin his or her reasons to live and achieve a future.
From Sexism to Social Reformation Many actions and ideologies of the characters in The Taming of the Shrew create an overarching conflict between comedy and sexism for most readers. Specifically, the relationships between the men and women introduce controversial topics such as obedience and love which must be questioned thoroughly. The conditions of Petruchio and Katherine’s marriage was more “traditional” in the sense that it was primarily patriarchal, and that Kate was expected to be subservient and obedient. While this is sexist, on the surface, this was not the intended meaning behind the works.
Curley’s Wife dealt with adversity throughout the novel, specifically discrimination based on gender bias. She did not overcome the subjugation, and it wasn't possible for her to do so in the world that she lived in because women were viewed as less than men as well as property in that world. In the novel George asserted, “Don’t you even take a look at that bitch… I seen ‘em poison before, but I never seen no piece of jail bait worse than her.” (Steinbeck 32) Steinbeck used this quote to express the discrimination against Curley's Wife, indicating that people thought poorly of her because she was a woman. Lennie is another character that Steinbeck wrote to deal with discrimination, but instead of gender bias he dealt with disability discrimination.
John Steinbeck’s presents Curley’s wife in a way that comes off as she is being abused. In Of Men and Mice Steinbeck clearly portrays Curley’s wife as a victim and not a villain, as others would see her. She is abused by Curley, mistreated by the other men on the ranch, and she is treated like she does not exist with no respect or value. Curley’s wife is a victim because Curley her husband, abuses and mistreats her.
In John Steinbeck’s novel, Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck portrayed a political statement by looking at mental and physical disabilities through different characters such as Curley's Wife, Crooks, and Lennie. Curley's wife is used to represent how women were treated during the 1930’s and almost treated with a disability. Women were portrayed as the help and they were supposed to stay home and work while the strong brave men went out and got money to support the family. By Steinbeck not giving Curley's wife a name he is showing how she is connected to Curly with an Invisible rope.
Aforementioned, Curley 's wife represents discrimination towards women, she is constantly looked down upon and isn 't treated with respect. However, when she is talking to Crooks, “‘Well, you keep your place then, n*****. I could get you strung up on a tree so easy it ain 't even funny,’”(OMAM 81). Crooks and Curley 's wife go through something similar. They are both discriminated based on a difference that the other men on the farm don’t have.
Prejudice against women and gender equality are common controversies exhibited through various forms, such as in literature, everyday society, and multimedia, regardless of the time period. In literature, misogyny is often a topic that is discussed or incorporated. In the novella, Of Mice and Men, the author, John Steinbeck, portrays misogyny in the 1930’s through the creation of a character named Curley’s wife. When the male ranch workers converse about Curley’s wife, George warns Lennie, “I don’t care what she says or what she does. I seen ‘em poison before, but I never seen no piece of jailbait worse than her.
World of Sexism Due to the Great Depression, women’s rights took a back seat to employment and poverty. It was believed that women shouldn’t work but stay at home, clean, cook, and raise their children. The prejudice against women in the society was great back in the 1930s for they were degraded and underestimated. All the rights they had gained in the 1920s were neglected and the women were once again maltreated. In Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, the victim of sexism is Curley’s wife who is so insignifact that even a name was not provided for her.
