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what does curley represent in society

by Dominique Muller Published 1 year ago Updated 1 year ago
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Steinbeck uses this portrayal of Curley to criticise the nature of American society and power in the 1930s- those who have power, like Curley, exert their power over others, perhaps who they secretly fear or perceive as weak, to get over their own personal convictions.Apr 11, 2015

Full Answer

Why is Curley important in of mice and men?

Curley is one of ‘Of Mice and Men’s’ major characters. Although he does not appear to hold a central role, he is very important in other respects. The first of these is the way in which he treats George and Lennie, and the ranch workers in general on the ranch. Curley is the boss’ son.

Why does Steinbeck make Curley so mean?

Although this makes Curley a more hated character, Steinbeck makes it clear to the reader that Curley is only mean as a result of being lonely. This loneliness of Curley was typical of men on ranches in 1930s America. Curley wants to get more authority on the ranch.

What does Curley’s fighting stance say about his character?

Firstly, it shows inferiority complex: Curley is short, and therefore is constantly trying to be better than “big guys”. Secondly, it shows his aggression. Curley holds a fighting stance when he first encounters George and Lennie: “his arms gradually bent at the elbows and his hands closed into fists.

How is Curley a good worker?

Also, Curley is a good worker. He is one of the best on the ranch, having grown up there, and this shows in his care for his work. Unlike most of the other characters, Curley doesn’t develop much over the course of the book, but he stands out as a character with whom Steinbeck does not sympathise.

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What does Curley symbolize?

Curley is symbolic of "small" people who may feel inferior and overcompensate by inflating or flaunting their power and status. Crooks is symbolic of people who are discriminated against because of their race. Candy is symbolic of people who are undervalued and discriminated against because of their age.

What does Curley's hand symbolize?

George's hands are small and strong, the hands of a doer and planner. Curley's hands are mean and cruel and one, of course, is crushed in the machine that is Lennie; Curley's hand that he keeps soft for his wife is a symbol of his impotence and inability to satisfy his wife sexually.

What is the significance of Curley in Of Mice and Men?

Curley is the boss's son, and because his father only appears once, Curley is the main representative in the novella of the land-owning class. Like his father, Curley wears “high-heeled boots” to mark his wealth and status, and most likely to lessen the smallness of his stature.

What does Curley's wife represent in society?

Curley's wife perfectly represents the “average woman” in America in the 1930s. She would like to depend less on her husband, she has a fantasy of becoming a renowned actress and she feels secluded and miserable.

Why does Curley put Vaseline in his glove?

Curley wears a “glove fulla Vaseline” on one hand because, according to Candy, “he's keepin' that hand soft for his wife.” Since farm work is physical and tough on a person's hands, the Vaseline will prevent at least one of Curley's hands from becoming chapped and rough—something he clearly believes his wife would find ...

Why is Curley's name Curley?

Curley: Curley literally has curly hair. The meaning of the Old English name Curley is strong man. Steinbeck ironically chose the name Curley because Curley is strong in the ring but weak when it comes to Lennie. Whit: The name Whit means white or a small part.

How does Curley represent power?

Curley is a very aggressive and violent character. He is the Boss's son and takes advantage of the power that he has over the other men on the ranch to treat them cruelly and pick fights. He is physically small and so is resentful of bigger men and picks a fight with Lennie because of this.

How does Steinbeck portray Curley?

In Of Mice and Men, the main way Steinbeck presents Curley is aggressive and mean. Although this makes Curley a more hated character, Steinbeck shows the reader that Curley is mean as a result of loneliness. This loneliness was typical of men on ranches in America in the 1930s. ...read more.

How does Steinbeck describe Curley?

The reader is introduced to the “pugnacious” Curley in chapter two: “a young man came into the bunkhouse; a thin young man with a brown face, with brown eyes and a head of tightly curled hair. He wore a work glove on his left hand, and, like the boss, he wore high-heeled boots.”

How does Curley's wife represent the American dream?

Curley's wife also has a dream – to be a film star – and although she no longer has any real hope that this could come true, it gives her a distraction from the unhappiness of her life, which is also true of dreams for the other characters. The United States Declaration of Independence was signed on 4th July 1776.

Why did Curley's wife say she married Curley?

She says the men are away, busy playing horseshoes, and that they'll be occupied. Why did Curley's wife rush to marry Curley? Curly's wife married him because she wanted to escape her mother.

Why is Curley important in of mice and men?

Curley is one of ‘Of Mice and Men’s’ major characters. Although he does not appear to hold a central role, he is very important in other respects....

How does Steinbeck present Slim and Curley differently in the novel?

In the novella, ‘Of Mice and Men ’, the characters of Slim and Curley are created to have a strong influence on the other workers’ lives. While bot...

How does Steinbeck present Curley in the Outsiders?

Steinbeck presents Curley as mean and violent throughout the novel. Strutting around the ranch in his ridiculous “high-heeled boots”, the antagonis...

How can Curley be seen as trying to prove himself?

Another way in which Curley can be seen as trying to prove himself is by marrying a How steinbeck present Curley Wife in of Mice and Men Essay

What is Curley's wife's personality?

Curley’s wife is a significant personality in the novel. John Steinbeck presents her in different ways during the novel and uses different methods to influence the reader’s judgement, for instance through her look, as she is a complex character. Significantly Steinbeck makes it clear that nurture turns her into the person she is in the novel, her nature is different. He uses language to show us who she is as revealed by colour and light symbolism; incongruity of her appearance and the setting; simile….

How does Steinbeck describe Curley?

Steinbeck also presents Curley as being an aggressive character . For example, Curley is quick to pick a fight with Lennie in Section Three of the novel. Steinbeck uses words like "slashed" to describe Curley's strength and aggressiveness. The reader feels anger towards Curley at this point as he attacks Lennie simply because he was being intimidated by the others. This shows the reader two things: that Curley is aggressive (because of the fight he picks with Lennie) and that Curley wants to be more respected (as Curley may have just been fighting Lennie to show the other ranchers that he's not a man who is easily intimidated and picked on).

How is Curley presented by Steinbeck in Of Mice and Men?

How is Curley presented by Steinbeck in Of Mice and Men? Curley is one of ‘Of Mice and Men’s’ major characters. Although he does not appear to hold a central role, he is very important in other respects. The first of these is the way in which he treats George and Lennie, and the ranch workers in general on the ranch. Curley is the boss’ son . Therefore he acts like he is the boss himself. He orders the others around, and, although it is true that he does hold some power on the ranch, he does not….

What is the meaning of "curley" in Mice and Men?

In Of Mice and Men Steinbeck mainly presents Curley as a mean person who wants authority on the ranch. Although this makes Curley a more hated character, Steinbeck makes it clear to the reader that Curley is only mean as a result of being lonely. This loneliness of Curley was typical of men on ranches in 1930s America.

What is the theme of the book of Mice and Men?

He incorporates these truth no matter how agonizing they might be. Loneliness, friendship, and dreams are a few of the truths exposed in the novel. One of the truths Steinbeck introduces is loneliness. The recurring theme of loneliness is detected throughout the whole novel. Loneliness, presented in various amounts of characters in Of Mice and Men, counting George….

Does Curley love his wife?

Although Curley is married, Steinbeck makes it clear to the reader that Curley has no emotions towards his wife. After the death of Curley's wife, Curley does not touch his wife nor does he stay with her. This suggests to the reader that Curley kept his wife purely for his sexual desires, just like many men in 1930s America. This further increases the hatred towards Curley, as it shows the reader that Curley did not respect nor love his wife. The fact that Curley mentions he has only one hand shows the reader that the only reason why

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1.How Is Curley Presented by Steinbeck in of Mice and Men

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1 hours ago  · Curley represents an obstacle to George and Lennie because he abuses the power he possesses on the ranch. Curley’s first appearance with George and Lennie shows how much …

2.How Does Steinbeck Present the Character of Curley in of …

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14 hours ago Curley is the boss's son, and because his father only appears once, Curley is the main representative in the novella of the land-owning class. Like his father, Curley wears “high …

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