Of Mice and Men Essay Example

The novel Of Mice and Men takes place in the mid 1930's. The setting is in Pacific Grove and Los Gatos ranch, California. The story mostly takes place on a ranch where there are many workers. Most of the workers are men. The only female on the ranch is Curley's Wife. The men always call her mean names, and she often gets sad about it. She dreams of being a famous movie star. In the novel Of Mice and Men Steinbeck illustrates the unfair treatment of women, and how they are lonely. Curley's Wife is a perfect example of how women were treated unfairly. Her name in this novel is "Curley's Wife" she does not have her own defined name. "Curley's Wife" shows that Curley has possesion over her and that she is his property. When the old man referred to Curley's Wife as Curley's Wife at first to George and Lennie they did not think anything of it; it was normal. The old man said, "Well, I tell ya what-- Curley says he's keepin' that hand soft for his wife." (27). This shows that Curley tells others about his personal life aswell, and does not really respect his wife. I believe that Curley's Wife is actually very lonely too. She lives on a ranch with all men and her own husband does not pay attention to her. She seeks attention from the other workers, who then call her names because she tries to talk to a lot of the men. When Lennie and her are in the barn alone Lennie tries not to talk to her because George told him not to. Curley's Wife then replies, "Why can't I talk to you? I never get to talk to nobody. I get awfully lonely." (86) Curley's Wife's loneliness blinds her from the danger of Lennie, all she wants is a friend to talk to. Curley's Wife is often controlled. She is always told by Curley on what to do and what not to do. She says to Lennie, "You can talk to people, but I cannot talk to nobody but Curley. Else he gets mad." (87) Throughout the whole book everyone tells Curley's Wife that they can't talk to her or that she should not be in the barn with a