Curley's Wife: Victim or Villain?
Curley's wife stands out as the most significant female character in the novella, serving as Steinbeck's way of showing how women faced prejudice in 1930s America. The big debate amongst students and critics is whether she's meant to be sympathetic or dangerous.
The most telling detail about her character is that she has no name - she's only ever called "Curley's wife". This immediately shows how women were viewed as possessions rather than individuals. She's objectified by her husband and treated like property he owns rather than a person with her own identity.
Her loveless marriage reveals another layer of her tragedy. She married Curley for convenience, hoping to escape her previous life, but now finds herself trapped with an unfaithful man on an isolated ranch. Her failed attempt at freedom through marriage has left her more isolated than before.
Colour imagery plays a crucial role in how Steinbeck presents her character. Her "red fingernails" and "red mules" aren't just fashion choices - the colour red signifies danger, blood, love, and death all at once. She's very aware of her appearance and uses her body language deliberately, which makes other characters see her as flirtatious and potentially dangerous.
Key Point: The quotes about her reveal society's harsh judgement - she's called a "tart" and "jailbait", showing how women were blamed for men's reactions to them, whilst her own words like "I get awful lonely" reveal her genuine human need for connection.