She tries to get away, and Lennie accidentally breaks her neck. Her dream is to be (in the movies) and "wear nice cloths" and stay in :big hotels" and also to take many "pictures". How Did Critics React to Of Mice and Men? Curly is arrogant, self-centered and jealous. Learn about Curley's wife in the novel Of Mice and Men. Tutorial on Curley's Wife's Dream in John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Menhttp://schoolfrog.blogspot.co.uk/ http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/SchoolFrog Page 29 'A girl was standing there looking in. Steinbeck makes the confrontation between Crooks and Curleys wife a shocking moment in Of Mice and Men by showing how prejudices produce strong reactions in characters: they can encourage loyalty in the face of adversity, or resentment and cruelty in those affected most by them. Lenny then gets overwhelmed by the experience, grabs her hair too hard, and makes Curley's wife upset. This is not the only villainous quality Curleys Wife has; she is also very harsh towards some of the ranch workers, especially Crooks the black stable buck. WebExplain what happened to Curley's wife that led her to meet and quickly marry Curley. Steinbeck uses repetition to make Curleys wife look desperate for her dream to come true. Earlier in their conversation, Lennie mentioned that George would be angry if he learned Lennie has spoken to Curley's wife. In Of Mice and Men, how and why does Lennie kill his puppy? The bunkhouse was a long, rectangular building. Log in here. Candys American Dream is to be apart of Lennie and Georges farm. Crooks. Firstly, Curleys wife is not actually given a name. In the story, her name isnt mentioned, instead called "Curleys wife". She is never referred to by name, but merely as Curleys wife. 100% Success rate. They label him as a nigger and then disregard his feelings by saying he doesnt give a damn about that. In this portion of the story, Curleys Wife is given an image, and it is the image of a woman who is seeking attention. One of the main themes is Lennie and Georges quest for freedom, a home of their own, and full power over their own life: the American Dream., In John Steinbecks novel Of Mice and Men George Milton and Lennie Small are on their way to work on a ranch in Northern California after Lennies childlike brain and his odd fetish for petting things like mice, rabbits, puppies, and women get him into trouble. Believing that her only escape was to leave home, she ran away with Curley the same night thatshe met him at the Riverside Dances. She flops like a fish in his arms: bitterly reminiscent of Curleys actions earlier in the novel when Lennie crushes Curley's hand. WebOf Mice and Men: Chapter 2 Lyrics. He snaps her neck when attempting to silence her. Summary and Analysis They end up working at a farm out in California where they attempt to make enough cash to buy their own land: a dream of theirs. Her lips slightly parted, (Pg. He doesn't understand his own strength, however, and the force of his efforts breaks her neck, killing her instantly. But now George uses that power carefully; he respects the fact that Lennie is not mean and would never intentionally hurt anyone. 5 Educator answers. In short, Steinbeck portrays his position of the unrealistic desires for untarnished happiness through the dreams of Candy, Curleys Wife, and Crooks in Of Mice and Men., Each person has been taught to hope, to have a dream. WebOne time when Curleys wife was in Riverside Dance Palace a man came up to her and told her he was going to put her in the movies. Curleys wife back story Curleys wifes dreams reflect the American Dream. Topic Tracking: Dreams 5. Chapter 3. My students love how organized the handouts are and enjoy tracking the themes as a class., Requesting a new guide requires a free LitCharts account. Lennie carefully answers that he likes to pet soft things. This incident in Weed foreshadows Lennie's tragic interaction with Curley's wife later in the story. Curley's Wife has always had the childhood dream of becoming famous, and still has the dream by the end of the book, but loses hope. Other students will be able to follow along more easily. I'll talk to you later. Her fingernails were red. Her isolation throughout the novella is caused by her gender, sexual appearance and predatory. eNotes Editorial, 31 Jan. 2020, https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-is-curley-s-wife-s-dream-in-of-mice-and-men-660951. All rights reserved. Curleys wife is unable to be the person she is for the reason that Curley owns her and she is his possession, Curleys wife is recognized as Curleys wife and his not able to have her own individuality. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. WebCurleys Wife. "I wisht somebody'd shoot me if I get old an' a cripple" are the words Slim uses that Candy later echoes when he considers his own future. Curley's wife comes into the barn looking for her husband. Webcurley's wife dream page number INTRO OFFER!!! Curley's wife once again reveals her dream by telling Lennie: Nother time I met a guy, an he was in pitchers. Lonely: Curley's wife reveals that she is lonely and wants company when she comes into Crooks's room. eNotes Editorial, 30 Nov. 2020, https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/in-of-mice-and-men-how-and-why-does-lennie-kill-162143. Curley's wife is a This makes the reader feel overpowered by Curleys wife and makes us feel that she can stand up for herself as she can be brusquely while asking a simple question. Curley's wife, whom Steinbeck does not give a name, is described as pretty and wearing a lot of makeup. For instance, during an outburst between Curleys wife and the farmers at the ranch, Curley's wife exclaims, Think I don't like to talk to somebody ever once in a while? 3 | Summary, Quotes & Theme, Lennie Small in Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck | Lennie Quotes, Description & Character Traits, George Milton in Of Mice and Men: Description & Quotes, Lennie & George's Relationship in Of Mice and Men, Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck: Ch. Asked by john p #361163 on 3/12/2014 5:10 PM Last updated by However, her ol lady wouldnt let [her]. WebCurleys wife, who remains unnamed in the book, has a dream of becoming Hollywoods biggest star. Source: izquotes.com. Whit asks George if he has seen her and ventures a comment on her appearance. how have Curley's wife's dreams for her life change or been lost? In the story, her name isnt mentioned, instead called "Curleys wife". She is never referred to by name, but merely as Curleys wife. The ranch is owned by Curleys father, which causes trouble for the men because of Curleys aggressive behavior towards them. Curley's wife's dream has always been to be a Hollywood starlet. Curleys wife is probably one of the most misunderstood characters in the novel, often being looked down upon, or talked badly about. 2023 eNotes.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Essential Quotes by Character: Lennie Small. George specifically recommends Lennie to not even look at that bitch I never seen no piece of jailbait worse than her (p.36) knowing Lennies reputation for trouble. WebCurley's wife, on men: "If I catch any one man, and he's alone, I get along fine with him. It was this strange quirk of his that got Lennie and George into serious trouble back in Weed, after Lennie terrified a girl by touching her dress. She is a symbol of the failed American Dream, as her marriage has crushed her own dreams, and her death brings an end to George and Lennie's dream of having their own land. The bold, heavily made-up appearance matches her personality as she disguises her true feelings and emotions with lies like the colourful, interesting appearance disguises her lonely, isolated life. that Curley just left the bunk house a minute ago. Curley's Wife. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. When Curley's wife allows Lennie to be comforted by stroking her hair, he then becomes overwhelmed by the feelings of the moment and begins grabbing her hair too hard. The suffering that Curleys wife experiences makes her an emotional wreck, letting the men know of her true feelings. Shes Curley's possession. eNotes.com will help you with any book or any question. Curley's wife despises her husband, who is controlling and oppressive. Steinbeck gets this theme through by creating the two most important characters in the book, Curleys Wife and George. When a traveling show came through, she met one of the actors; this man told the girl that she was a natural actress and offered to let her come with the show. The way the content is organized. Ample parking in the shopping center. Please give page numbers if possible. When they get to the new place, a man named Candy starts telling them about the wife of the boss's son, Curley. Large place. In the story, her name isnt mentioned, instead called "Curleys wife". from your Reading List will also remove any lessons in math, English, science, history, and more. Share. Imagine being in an isolated area with a bunch of men that that hates you, are you the villain. She asked him to stroke her hair but then he grabbed in a bit. Start your 48-hour free trial to get access to more than 30,000 additional guides and more than 350,000 Homework Help questions answered by our experts. In the book Of Mice and Men, what is Old Susy's Place? Accessed 4 Mar. He quickly and emphatically says he has a Luger that can do the job, and he has to be reminded by Slim to take a shovel so Candy will be spared the glimpse of the corpse. EXTRACT 1: CANDY TALKS ABOUT CURLEYS WIFE Seems to me like hes worse lately, said the swamper. Now Candy is like the rest of them alone. he wants to give us a hint of how women are treated. She is discussed in terms of what she looks like, not her personality. Her husband, Curley, is jealous and distrustful, and he frequently snaps at her. Over the years, Lennie has developed an obsession with stroking soft objects, whether it's a fluffy rabbit or a dead mouse. He was afraid that George would not let him be part of the dream anymore if Curley's wife got mad at him. Despite Steinbecks rendering, Curleys wife emerges as a relatively complex and interesting character. What are two examples showing how Lennie is discriminated against because of his disability in the book Of Mice and Men? copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. Now, she talks about that dream and what she could have been. succeed. Throughout Steinbecks Of Mice and Men, the only major female character is Curleys Wife. Ain't many guys travel around together, he mused. Says I was a natural. 1677 Words | 7 Pages. Curley's wife's dream is to become a movie actress. 77). This first description (form and structure) builds in our received impression of Curleys wife. All of these events are Steinbeck's way of saying that something terrible is going to happen, and that Curley's wife will be involved. Marrying Curley was therefore a way for his wife to escape a troubled home-life and perhaps gain some independence. Not affiliated with Harvard College. The described moment of time seeming to stop is Curley's wife resents her mother for possibly stealing her letters from Hollywood and holds onto the dream that she will one day be contacted to act in a movie. Curleys Wife is another individual who once had a dream. (a) Explore how the language in the extract influences your view of Curleys wife and her dreams. Candy has a newfound excitement about the dream, alike Lennies excitement about the rabbits, in the dream of a life away from the prejudice of the ranch | Themes ~ Candy also discusses the dream, and Crooks is briefly interested in joining the dream.