Curley's Wife Sexism Essay

Broken Dreams

Sexism is shown throughout the book because of the way men talk about Curley’s wife. A fact that is important is that Steinbeck was raised in a society where men were considered more powerful than women, which explains why Steinbeck didn't give a name for Curley's wife. Steinbeck puts her in the book as if saying she’s Curley’s possession in a way. Curley’s wife says it herself that when she finds one of the men alone they treat her good but when the men are all together they gang up against her. Curley’s wife flirtatious actions are caused by her loneliness and not being able to communicate with others. Curley’s wife throughout Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck is discriminated by the men on the ranch because she is a woman.

Curley’s wife is the only woman in the ranch and has no one to talk to and is left out because of her gender, and for being considered a threat. Curley’s wife gender separates her from the others because when she tries talking to the other men she pushes them way from her because they’re scared of losing their job, knowing that Curley is the boss’s son. “ I get lonely, she said. “You can talk to people, but I can’t talk to

Curley’s wife goes into the barn while the other men are away and sees Lennie and starts a conversation with him. The conversation escalated quickly and Lennie killed Curley's wife. When the men found Curley's wife dead and Lennie there, Candy says, " You god damn tramp," he said viciously. 'You done it, di'n't you?"(Steinbeck 95). Candy is being sexist with Curley's wife because he's blaming her for Lennie's actions of killing her because she's a woman. Candy also says, "I s'pose you're glad." (Steinbeck 95). Candy is saying angrily to Curley's wife body that she finally got what she wanted (attention). The one time Curley’s wife talks to someone results with her