Curley of mice and men analysis. Curley Character Analysis Free Essay Example 2022-10-28
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In John Steinbeck's novel "Of Mice and Men," Curley is a complex and dynamic character who plays a significant role in the story.
At first glance, Curley appears to be a one-dimensional antagonist, the boss's son who constantly picks fights and harasses the other characters on the ranch. However, as the novel progresses, it becomes clear that there is more to Curley than just being a bully.
One of the key themes in the novel is the idea of loneliness and isolation, and Curley is a prime example of this. As the only character on the ranch who is not a worker, he is isolated from the others and has no one to talk to or confide in. This isolation is further compounded by his physical disability, as he has a crushed hand that makes it difficult for him to perform manual labor.
Curley's loneliness and desperation for companionship is evident in the way he constantly tries to engage the other characters in conversation, even when they clearly do not want to talk to him. He is also fiercely protective of his wife, who is also isolated and lonely on the ranch, and becomes angry and aggressive when he thinks someone is trying to steal her attention.
Despite his aggressive and confrontational behavior, it is clear that Curley is deeply troubled and unhappy. He is constantly seeking validation and acceptance, and his actions, while often harmful and disruptive, are ultimately driven by his own pain and insecurity.
In the end, Curley's tragic fate serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of loneliness and the importance of connection and companionship. His character arc serves as a reminder that behind every antagonist is a complex and multi-faceted individual, and that it is important to try and understand and empathize with others, rather than simply judging them based on their actions.
Curley’s Wife Character Analysis in Of Mice and Men
She hated her upbringing, so when a guy told her she had the potential to be a movie star and he would be in touch, finally she found a way out. Killing his wife gave him a legitimate to kill Lennie, this also shows Lennie doesn 't know his strength making him very dangerous. Curley's development of anger links to the theme of dreams and in particular the futility of the American dream, because he seeks out and targets Lennie merely because he is is a 'big guy' and threatens him. The workers of the ranch avoid her to prevent her causing any trouble. He has visions and in them, he sees his late Aunt, Clara, standing with a huge rabbit. Curley attempts to intimidate the new arrivals, his manner towards them is confrontational and it seems as if he is picking a fight.
Because of his race, Crooks is disallowed from living in the barn with the other workers. The novel illustrates women being treated as property rather than a person. Curley deserves nothing more than our scorn. In conclusion George goes to Lennie and him before anyone else can hurt him. Of Mice and Men is not kind in its portrayal of women.
He hates big guys. Curley's 'short' stance stereotypes him as 'scrappy', as Candy describes him in s3, and suggests his inferior power and authority. She described to Lennie about how she was about to be a movie star and everything but her mother stopped her so she married Curley. Carlson advises Candy to kill the dog and begs Slim to replace the dog with one of his puppies. History is always taught to ensure we do not make the same mistake; the ideology that one gender is above another is a prime example. Slim helps George get up, and as they walk away, he tells him he had to do it, that it was joy his fault. Lennie starts a conversation and mistakenly tells Crooks of his plans to own a farm with George and Candy — who then enters the quarter.
Curley is infuriated and singles out Lennie for joining in on the fun, brutally punching and beating him up. It is a very a violent and cruel assault that evokes disgust and horror from the reader. This theme of hope and loss is shown through Curley's wife, Candy, and George. As a result of both his disability and his age, Candy worries about his future on the farm. Curley likes to pick fights, and is pretty handy. His wife is never given a name, but by calling her " When Curley picks the fight with Lennie, he does not realize the danger he is in. She uses this feminine appearance and flirtatious, predatory behaviour in an attempt to communicate and attract attention to herself.
The first of these is the way in which he treats George and Lennie, and the ranch workers in general on the ranch. The bold, heavily made-up appearance matches her personality as she disguises her true feelings and emotions with lies like the colourful, interesting appearance disguises her lonely, isolated life. Lennie confesses his desideratum to tend the rabbits because he simply likes to pet nice things. This is important as Lennie one of the main protagonists is a big guy, hinting to the reader that Curley is going to play a big part in the demise of their American Dream. She is mentioned in the story a lot because of how she would acted around the men working in the ranch. Curley's wife is less developed than other characters, and she seems to serve mostly to drive the plot forward and stir up conflict.
Of Mice and Men Characters: Descriptions, Analysis
Lennie agrees to the plan, and while the two thirsty friends drink from a nearby swamp, George discovers that Lennie is hiding a dead mouse deep in his pocket. Her lust for social interaction compels her to sit and make conversation with Lennie in the barn shortly after his accidental killing of the puppy. An object that he gets to control and does what he wants. Lack of social mobility is the polar opposite of the freedom which is supposedly inherent to American society, yet this is exactly the reason that this insecure and unjust man has power over others. Just then, George meets him and tells him he is not mad about what he did. This means that his character does not change- he is not affected by the economic crisis, he needn't work, he needn't form alliances with other men or get to know them, after all he considers himself superior to them- which isolates him from the other men.
George sometimes complains about his care-taking role, but he is clearly committed to looking out for Lennie. Everyone believes her to be nothing but a scandal waiting to happen. A few moments later, the ranch owner returns to interview them. He explains their expertise and why they are late. Crooks then shows interest in wanting to join after Candy tells him they have enough money to purchase the farm. Each of these descriptions demonstrate his boxing knowledge and skills. It seems as if Curley is almost pleased that Lennie has killed his wife, he is not upset in the slightest, as it grants him the opportunity to go after Lennie and impose the ultimate authority over him by ending his life.
Being the only woman there and no one to talk to makes you emphasise with her and soften towards her and feel her loneliness. Curley's position is bipolar to the philosophy of the American dream- he doesn't work like the other men, yet he is powerful and somewhat prosperous. Steinbeck uses this portrayal to reiterate that Curley is self conscious- his pugnacity comes from a desire to be perceived as tough and powerful, the power that his position implies he ought to possess. Through Curley's violent personality, Steinbeck again criticises American society- whilst the ranch hands are stuck in the monotonous cycle of working simply for their fifty and found then blowing their money on alcohol and prostitutes then moving on somewhere else, from which they can never escape, Curley has his own house, expensive clothing, he is the heir to the ranch, which one must presume is a somewhat profitable enterprise, but what has he done to earn it? When Lennie and George are talking to Candy, Candy says, '"Curley's like a lot of little guys. Women had little rights and were are constantly judged for actions that would have been excused if they had been male.
She has a sweet side, demonstrated when she tells Lennie about her childhood dreams of movie stardom, as well as a cruel streak, as evidenced by the racist verbal attack she launches at Crooks. They affect relationships, sensibility, and moral character. However, Curley is ultimately the man who spells the end for Lennie- Curley's vindictive and ruthless witch-hunt for Lennie in Section 5 means that there is no way forward for him, leading George to kill him in the hope of him having a more merciful ending. Despite all his power he has inherited by being the son of the boss, he has little control over others. Lennie is a perfect exemplification of both, and this reality becomes very hard for readers to accept, given his size and the excelling expectations one would place on him at first sight. Curley 's wife started to freak out, she ended up killing her.
