The Representation of Women in Of Mice and Men

Curley’s Wife Curley’s wife is an important character in the novel for many reasons. She is often misjudged, the other characters describe her as a ‘tart’ and 'jail bait'. She represents the theme of loneliness in the novel.

Curley’s Wife She is a lonely character, who uses her beauty to attraction on all male farm, where the men to a large extent, are deprived of sex. Most of the men pay little attention to her, and the attention she does receive is primarily negative. Curley’s glove which he uses to keep his hand ‘soft for his wife' is symbolic of how little she means to him.

Curley’s Wife Eventually, she gains the attention of one man, Lennie, who, like Curley’s wife is lonely. There are similarities between these two characters, as both have the mind of a child and dream of achieving things which are unlikely to happen. Curley’s wife dies enjoying the physical attention she longs for, while Lennie dies with the thought of his own American Dream in his mind.

She is linked with the colour red, a colour linked to: Curley’s Wife She is linked with the colour red, a colour linked to: Sex Death (blood) Anger Lust Love

She is paralleled to Eve in the Garden of Eden. Curley’s Wife Steinbeck's initial portrayal of Curley's wife shows her to be a mean and seductive temptress. She is paralleled to Eve in the Garden of Eden. The same way Eve tempted Adam, Curley's wife shattered the dream of George and Lennie owning a farm.

‘The girl in Weed’ Although not much mentioned, the girl in Weed does have some significance in the novel. It was due to her that Lennie and George had to flee from their job in Weed. One can conclude that the girl in Weed and Curley's wife are both temptations that encouraged his curiosity and that he could not resist.

Old Susy Susy is the brother owner and is spoken of in a positive way by the men on the ranch (page 79). This is because she provides them with the necessary pleasure of female company. Many of the ranch workers used to go there and participate in bordellos. They appreciate the atmosphere of Susy’s ‘house’ and speak highly of her attitude towards the men.

Old Susy ranch men could not resist seeking immediate gratification. Susy's brothel house shows clearly that women were just objects in the hands of man which makes them victims of society. It is clear that women in the novel are used and discarded. They have no importance other than to fulfill male desire.

Clara The other brothel owner. The men make disparaging remarks about her ‘house’, and complain about the quality of the entertainment there. Interesting link to Lennie’s Aunt Clara – why the same name?

Aunt Clara The woman who raised Lennie. She is deceased, but appears to Lennie in a hallucination when he hides in the brush in Chapter Six. In this hallucination, she appears as a short but hefty woman who berates Lennie for his stupidity. She never actually appears in the novel.

Aunt Clara In spite of all the evil associated with women Steinbeck gives us a maternal vision of Aunt Clara, whose role is later taken up by the good character of George. She looked after Lennie until she died, before passing the responsibility on to George. Therefore, we are also made aware that some form of goodness within woman does exist.