1. Curley’s wife Victim or vixen?
Learning objective: to be able to offer a nuanced interpretation of a character.

2. ASSESSMENT FEEDBACK Read through my feedback and your targets.
GLUE IN SHEET!
Issues:
Refer to context.
Avoid simplistic interpretations of characters.

3. BEST COMMENT ON STRUCTURE: mOAZZAM
(On Lennie’s use of the word “purdy” to describe her) This creates a sense of foreboding for the reader because she’s someone’s wife and Lennie is going to have a fight for her.

4. BEST INTERPRETATION OF WRITER’S CRAFT: sURAIYAH
Another quote to show how seductive she is, is: : “SHE PUT HER HANDS BEHIND HER BACK AND LEANED AGAINST THE DOOR FRAME SO THAT HER BODY WAS THROWN FORWARD.” THIS QUOTE SHOWS HOW HARD Curley’s wife is trying to lure George into falling for her. The word “thrown” shows maybe she loves tossing herself around everywhere to seek any man’s attention.

5. BEST EXPLORATION OF CHARACTER: kATE
Steinbeck also uses adverbs to describe her: “playfully.” This could make the reader think she’s young and innocent as well as being a flirt. The quote: “she was suddenly apprehensive” could suggest that she is also scared. The reader may think that she is scared of Curley as slim has just told her that he has gone into the house.

6. UNDERSTANDING THE AUTHORIAL VOICE
Canady’s/George’s opinions on Curley’s wife are not the same as Steinbeck’s opinions.
Perhaps Steinbeck is showing use what a hostile, misogynistic environment Curley’s wife has to cope with? (CONTEXT)
Steinbeck’s portrayal of Curley’s wife is nuanced (two-sided). She is definitely flirty, but she is also depicted as vulnerable (more on this later in the novella).

7. Steinbeck’s letter to claire luce

8. “A girl was standing there looking in
“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.” (31)

9. “I don’t care what she says and what she does
“I don’t care what she says and what she does. I seen ‘em poison before, but I never seen no piece of jail bait worse than her. You leave her be.” (32)

10. “…Ever’ time the guys is around she shows up
“…Ever’ time the guys is around she shows up. She’s lookin’ for Curley, or she thought she lef’ somethin’ layin’ around and she’s lookin’ for it. Seems like she can’t keep away from guys.” (51)

11. READING (50-54) THINK: How do the men refer to women in this section?
How might this influence how we feel about their interpretation of Curley’s wife’s character?

12. SHOULD WE TRUST THEIR OPINIONS ON WOMEN?
George asked casually, "Been any trouble since she got here?" Whit said, "I see what you mean. No, they ain't been nothing yet. Curley's got yella-jackets in his drawers, but that's all so far. George said, "She's gonna make a mess. They's gonna be a bad mess about her. She's a jail bait all set on the trigger.

13. SHOULD WE TRUST THEIR OPINIONS ON WOMEN?
Whit said, "If you got idears, you oughtta come in town with us guys tomorra night." "Why? What's doin'?" "Jus' the usual thing. An' Susy says, 'I know what you boys want,' she says. 'My girls is clean,' she says, 'an' there ain't no water in my whisky,' she says.

14. Plenary
Misogynistic
Vulnerable
Isolated
Young
Prejudge
Equal opportunities
Housewife
Write a short revision note to yourself, explaining how Steinbeck presents Curley’s wife as a victim, as well as a flirt.
You must use all of the words in the box!