Limitation Of Women In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

While talking to Lennie in the barn she

Of Mice and Men, one of Steinbeck 's classic novellas, is constructed on the strange friendship between George Milton and Lennie Smalls and their journey to achieving the American Dream. On their quest, they arrive at a farm where they meet a nameless farm wife who is simply referred to as Curley 's wife. Throughout the novella she is objectified and isolated which helps develop the theme of loneliness. Because she is a woman, she is deprived of many opportunities to have dreams and goals in her life. Steinbeck crafts Curley’s wife’s character to demonstrate the role of women in the 1930’s, and to prove that women will never be able to achieve the American Dream because of the sexist society present during that time period.

For instance, the men on the ranch speculate that Curley’s wife intends trouble and an affair because she is constantly looking for the men on the ranch in the bunkhouse or stable, places she has no business in without her husband. However, Curley’s wife confesses her everyday life when she tells Crooks, Old Candy, and Lennie that she enjoys talking to them rather than talking to nobody (Steinbeck 78). In addition, she discloses to them that Curley gives her little regard and that she loathes staying in their small house all the time. As a result of the lack of attention she receives, she utilises her young and seducing looks to obtain it from any body. Steinbeck writes Curley’s wife as isolated like the lonely ranch men that come and go which appeals to the readers’ feelings.

Like most women, she just wants to be out and talking to people. Whenever Curley’s wife is out strolling around the farm trying to talk to someone it is often that one of the men says to her, “You better go home now…” (Steinbeck 81). Curley’s wife becomes lonely and the other men and her husband do not take her feelings into account. Curley’s wife is not

They will never understand why she flirts with them and provokes them because in their eyes she only causes trouble for them. Crooks clearly states that they “don’t want no trouble” (77) when Curley’s wife enters uninvitingly, and she responds with “…I ain’t giving you no trouble. Think I don’t like to talk to somebody ever’ once in a while?” (77) From the perspective of the ranch hands, Curley’s wife represents a nuisance with no individuality,

Curley’s wife is lonely and isolated because she doesn’t care for her husband and she knows she could have done better. Everyone wants to avoid her because she’s “trouble”. Everyone avoids her because they’re scared that she’ll make trouble by getting them in trouble with Curley. An example of when she admitted that she doesn’t care for her husband

Every Time she would appear in the novel she would always say something like ¨Why can't i talk to you? I never get to talk to nobody. I get awful lonely¨ ( Steinbeck 86). Also, when she was talking to lennie before he had murdered her, she was telling him how she doesnt like curley at all and how she thinks he's a mean guy. Once again another character that just wanted someone new to talk to.

Steinbeck displays Crook’s isolation by describing how he lives alone in a “little shed,” excluded from the companionship in the bunkhouse. Crook’s possessions include many books that he reads instead of having company. “Crooks was a proud, distant man” because he has no choice but to endure this prejudice and isolation. Consequently, he bitterly guards his privacy, saying to Lennie, “this here’s my room... I ain’t wanted in the bunkhouse, and you ain’t wanted in my room.”

I never get to talk to nobody. I get awful lonely” “(Steinbeck, 86). In the great barn, Curley’s wife walks in to be associated with Lennie’s company. However, workers have viewed her as a terrible person and a rouge.

She chose to against Crooks and this clearly highlight racism, which existed in the American society. ‘Well you keep your trap shut then, Nigger. I could get you strung up on a tree so easy it ain’t even funny.’ This indicates Curley’s wife try to threaten Crooks. Also, this shows that racism was a really big issue in the 1930s and the reason why Curley’s wife chooses him because he is the weakest and least able to defend himself.

How’d you like not to talk to anybody?”” (Steinbeck 87). When Curley’s wife makes this comment, it sounds as if she thinks that Curley is not good enough for her and that she deserves better. She does not respect Curley, because Curley does not allow her to make her own

Another thing that led the narrator close to insanity was basically being isolated in the house. She spoke many times about wanting to see cousin Henry and Julia but John said he would only let her see them when she gets well and anytime before that he would rather "put fireworks in her pillowcase" than let her see those "stimulating people." After awhile she thought it was "discouraging not to have any advice and companionship." John spent most of his time in town because of serious cases and Jennie let her be alone when ever she wanted to be. When she was alone she said she would always cry I 've nothing and started to imagine things is the wallpaper.

(11) Curley’s wife complains to Crooks, Lennie, and Candy about her husband, how he “Spends all his time sayin’ what he’s gonna do to guys he don’t like, and he don’t like nobody. Think I’m gonna stay in that two-by-four house and listen how Curley’s gonna lead with his left twict, and then bring in the ol’ right cross?” (78). Obviously, Curley’s wife did not marry Curley because she loves him, but most likely she may be running from someone or something in her life. The unsatisfied wife endures Curley just so she can live in

Curley’s wife begins to regret living on the ranch with Curley. She starts to regret living there because of the way they treat her. And also because she could be doing better in her life instead of sitting around being bored and only being able to associate with Curley. Curley’s wife states “ I tell you I aint used to livin’ like this, I coulda made somethin’ of myself.” (Steinbeck 88).

One comment that stood out to me was “women are used to worrying over trifles.” The words trifles means something of little value or importance, by Mr Hale stating women are used to worrying over unimportant items, it shows he doesn’t truly care about women’s thoughts. Sheriff Peters isn’t considered oppressive, but he is extremely dismissive of his wife’s thoughts and concerns. He is also quite prejudiced towards Minnie in the fact that she killed her husband. The final Man in this story is Mr Wright.