C OF MICE AND MEN Chapter 5 – Curley’s Wife

Do Now Curley’s wife is a complicated and fascinating character. The men on the ranch constantly refer to her in a derogatory and sexual way. This is partly because she is the only woman, partly because they fear her as the boss’ wife, and partly because this is the way she has learned to communicate. What do you think of her? Are the men right to think of her as they do?

Initial Introduction vs. Final Word A girl was standing there looking in. She had full, rouged lips and wide-spaced eyes, heavily made up. Her fingernails were red. Her hair hung in little rolled clusters, like sausages. She wore a cotton house dress and red mules, on the insteps of which were little bouquets of red ostrich feathers. "I'm lookin' for Curley," she said. Her voice had a nasal, brittle quality. Curley’s wife lay with a half-covering of yellow hay. And the meanness and the plannings and the discontent and the ache for attention were all gone from her face. She was very pretty and simple, and her face was sweet and young. Now her rouged cheeks and her reddened lips made her seem alive and sleeping very lightly. The curls, tiny little sausages, were spread on the hay behind her head, and her lips were parted. What are some of the differences in the way that Curley’s wife is described in the beginning of the story versus the end of the story? How has the tone shifted?

Biblical Allusion

That’s Low, Steinbeck The last words from chapter 5 are spoken by Candy. As he stoops over Curley’s wife’s body and stares at her face (he “watched the face of Curley’s wife”), he says, “poor bastard” (98). To whom is Candy referring? Why is this disconcerting?

Well…Things Just Got Awkward Susy the prostitute has a name Lulu the dog has a name Curley’s wife??? Why is it significant that she doesn’t get a name? What do you think Steinbeck is trying to communicate?