The Influences of Curleys Wife on the Development of John...

Curleys wife is an essential character for the development of John Steinbecks novel, Of Mice and Men, even though mysterious and nameless, she portrays the women of the 1930s, as well as emphasises their objectification and undermining. Curleys wife is also of great importance for developing the themes of dreaming as well as their downfall, the desire to be free and independent or essentially the American Dream. Finally, she also develops the theme of loneliness in the novel, as well as the theme of bitterness; her conversations with other characters in the novel greatly show this aspect of her and contribute to the novel in many ways, making Curleys wife one of the most influential and symbolic characters in Of Mice and Men.†¦show more content†¦Women at the time are just seen as prizes or property of their husbands; and especially during the Great Depression, when most marriages were made out of financial means other than love. Steinbeck does place an interesting element i n Curleys wife; she dreams of becoming a famous actress, which is why she acts and dresses the way she does. This fantasy is her deepest secret, which she acknowledges to Lennie just before her death. The reader realises that maybe Curleys wife understands that she is never going to have the freedom and fantasy she dreams of, she keeps saying she couldve been a movie star†¦ couldve been famous†¦ couldve worn the clothes they wear, she realises she cant do those things and is stuck in a ranch full of men and a husband she hates. Curleys wife admits she dont like Curley, and would do anything to get out of that ranch. She has to recognise that her sexuality and gender is the only thing she can use to gain the attention she hopes for. The American Dream is that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement. It is a dream of in which each man and each woman shall be able to achieve the