Curley's Wife In Of Mice And Men

You may be thinking Curley’s wife is just a troublemaker who caused her own death by being a tart, but challenge yourself to broaden your perspective. She is a misunderstood character that never has a chance to be fully understood. The main victim of the story is not Lennie, George, or anyone else in the novella Of Mice and Men. This person is Curley’s wife. Curley’s wife is a victim in the story because of her loneliness, unfulfilled dreams, and loveless marriage.

To start with, Curley’s wife is a victim in the story because of her loneliness. This is what causes her to seek out attention. For example, on page 77 she states, “‘Think I don’t know where they all went? Even Curley. I know where they all went’”, (Steinbeck). She tries to manipulate her way into situations with the men on the ranch. She knows where Curley is, she just wants someone else to talk to. Curley’s wife wants someone to pay attention to her and acknowledge her throughout the novella.

Lennie talks about how she looks on page 32 when he says, “‘She’s purty’”(Steinbeck). George responds by saying, “‘Yeah, and she’s sure hidin’ it. Curley got his work ahead of him’” (Steinbeck, 32). It is clearly established by George and his sarcasm there is one thing making Curley’s wife stand out: her beauty. Her dream is to become a model in pictures, but now, she is stuck on a ranch in the middle of nowhere. There isn’t anyone to make her feel pretty and of any worth but the men who won’t even give her the time of