Curley's Wife Misogynist Analysis

Flawless skin, small waists, the unattainable idea of perfection. The idea that a woman should be the icon of feminine beauty, a brainless robot that is great at housework and pleasing their husband has lasts from generation to generation. This idea continues in the 1930s, when the Great Depression was wreaking havoc on everyday life. Instead of letting equally smart women work alongside of men to bring the stocks up, they were still told to stay home and be the mothers and wives that they should. This idea continues in Steinbeck’s famous book, Of Mice and Men. Throughout the novel, Steinbeck subtly reiterates his belief that white men are superior to every other race and gender. Therefore, the misogynistic portrayal of Curley’s wife is sympathetic,

supported by the fact she is portrayed without a name throughout the story, and a flirt when all she wants is human interaction.
In Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck introduces Curley’s wife without a name, and leaves her isolated throughout the book.

“Wait’ll you see Curley’s wife.” (Steinbeck 28). This is the first time Steinbeck mentions Curley’s wife in the book. The way Steinbeck introduces her gives the reader an impression that he is referring to Curley’s wife like she is a piece of his property. Steinbeck continues to tell how the other men don’t respect her, because they think she has the eye. “Well—she got the eye”. (Steinbeck 28) This ‘eye’ is an idiom of “attractive to or desire of someone or something.” (“Ammer”) Steinbeck continues to then explain how the men don’t talk to her and when they do, its always objectifying and

demeaning.
Throughout the story Curley’s wife tries on multiple occasions to talk to the other farmhands on the ranch.

Like clockwork, she is told to go away every time. “’I get lonely. … You can talk to people, but I can’t talk to nobody but Curley. Else he gets mad. How’d you like not to talk to anybody?’” (Steinbeck 84). Humans a designed in a manner to which they thrive off social interaction, but without it it can cause devastating effects. The way Steinbeck creates such an environment to were Curley’s wife is alone shows his deep misogynist views. Curley’s wife also is aware of how alone she is, like it says on page 85. “’Wha’s the matter with me? … Ain’t I got a right to talk to nobody?” (Steinbeck 85). Curley’s wife continues to talk about how she is alone and hates it, how she does not want to be at this ranch or even married to Curley. “’ I don’ like Curley. He ain’t a nice fella … Coulda been in the movies.’” (Steinbeck 84). Soon Curley’s wife and Lennie are at the climax when tragedy strikes, Curley’s wife is killed. The way Steinbeck writes the scene is as if it’s Curley’s wife’s fault. That she should have known better than to let a big, strong, man touch her hair. Steinbeck even put a dead puppy killed by Lennie in the scene so Curley’s wife could see the signs and avoid her death. When, in reality, it’s not Curley’s wife’s fault. Lennie was the only person on the farm willing to talk and listen to her. There’s no question to why Curley’s wife would let him touch her

hair, it’s the only friendly interaction she’s gotten that is known of. “And then her words tumbled out in a passion of communication, as though she hurried before her listener could be taken away.” (Steinbeck 85). Steinbeck is admitting to depriving her of human interaction, even though in his mind she deserved it.
In conclusion, Of Mice and Men’s misogynistic portrayal of Curley’s wife is sympathetic, due to the fact that she is not given a name throughout the story, and that she is called a flirt when all she wants is to be recognized. Though some could say that she got what she deserve, or that she should not be showing her body off like that, the evidence clearly shows that Steinbeck took a sexist approach on her character. All and all, the sexism and discrimination of women is a world wide phenomenon that some people seem to grasp ahold of quite well.