How Does Steinbeck Present The Complex Character In Of Mice And Men

Of Mice and Men Character Analysis Essay
A man often judges himself by his size. If he is not as tall or muscular as the next man, he may feel inferior to him. This may result in that man developing a “little man” syndrome or Napoleon Complex. In the novel Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck displays this inferiority complex through the character Curley. Because Curley feels inadequate due to his short stature, he tends to dislike those bigger than him, challenges most everyone, and is not remorseful for his negative actions or for what happens to others.
Curley displays himself as a most-controlling individual who dislikes those bigger than him. Candy states:
Curley’s like a lot of little guys. He hates big guys. He’s alla

time picking scraps with big
guys.

Kind of like he’s mad because he ain’t a big guy (26).
The overall theme of Curley feeling inferior to those who are larger than him is clearly noted. Some of the characters in this novel are aware of Curley’s Napoleon Complex, as he is always picking on those that are weak and slow. Curley manages to win even when he loses:
S’pose Curley jumps a big guy an’ licks him. Ever’body says what a game guy Curley is.
And s’pose he does the same thing and gets licked. Then ever’body says the big guy ought
to pick on somebody his own size (28).
This reinforces the fact that Curley always comes out on top, even when he does not deserve to. His relationship with his wife and Lennie reinforce this idea of Curley always picking on the weak and controlling others. He is always challenging others, as well.
Curley presents himself in such a way that he always appears to be challenging/confronting someone:
His eyes passes over the new men and he stopped. He glanced coldly at George and then at
Lennie. His arms gradually bent at the elbows and his hands closed into fists. He stiffened
and went into a slight crouch. His glance was at once calculating and pugnacious.

Lennie
squirmed under the look and shifted his feet nervously. Curley stepped gingerly close to
him (94).
Curley uses his body language to challenge the men. He tries to be intimidating because he feels inferior, once again. Lennie is larger than Curley and his Napoleon Complex takes over. He challenges George’s answer about Lennie not talking by saying “Oh, so it’s that way?” (35). He always wants to seem in control and make one feel doubted. This challenging way Curley presents himself makes others doubt themselves. Curley’s demeanor is also one of no regret or remorse.
Curley is unremorseful for his actions or what may happen to others. He must remain in control. Curley states “I’m goin’. I’m gonna shoot the guts outta that big bastard myself, even if I only got one hand (98). Curley uses his wife’s murder as an opportunity to seek revenge, rather than grieve her death. He is not remorseful that she is dead. It is another opportunity for him to defeat someone bigger than him and inflict pain on him. Making others suffer makes him feel better about himself. He did not take a second look at his dead wife. He was more interested in the fact that Lennie had killed her, and this just gave him a reason to kill someone he did not like. Curley shows his lack of remorse in his relationship with his wife. He treats her as a possession, a trophy. Her feelings are not important to him. This is indicated by her having no name in the novel other than Curley’s wife. She had no freedom and was to talk with no one. He demanded to know where she was at all times. For instance, Curley asked, “You seen a girl around here?” (39). He was always wanting to know where she was, as she was his possession.
Curley’s feelings of inadequacies, his Napoleon Complex, presented themselves due to his small stature and need for control to feel worthy. He thrived on making others-especially those who were bigger than him- hurt so that he would feel important. This Napoleon Complex that Curley possessed exists today in our society.