How Does Steinbeck Present Curley's Wife

The Great Depression was an era of hardship for many, and kept several people from accomplishing even the most basic goals and dreams. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck tells a story of two friends, George Milton and Lennie Small, and their search for a better life in rural California. George, a smart but small and wiry laborer, and Lennie, a giant man who is mentally challenged, take jobs bucking barley on a large ranch outside of Salinas and try to save money to get a place of their own. On the ranch, they encounter many who have dreams of their own, but Steinbeck manipulates his characters, particularly Lennie, to demonstrate that not everyone get what they want, even if they work hard for it. In the novella Of Mice and Men written

For example Curley’s wife says "I get lonely….You can talk to people, but I can't talk to nobody but Curley. Else he gets mad. How'd you like not to talk to anybody?". (Steinbeck, 87) Curley’s wife doesn't have anyone besides her husband that doesn't pay attention to her. None of the other guys like to talk to her either because they all think she's a flirt that, and Curley will bust them. Then when she tries talking to someone they all tell her the same thing to leave no one wants to talk to her. Curley’s wife also implies that "I always thought my ol' lady stole it. Well, I wasn't gonna stay no place where I couldn't get nowhere or make something of myself, and' where they stole your letters, I ast her if she stole it, too, an' she says no. So I married Curley” (Steinbeck,88) .“I ain't told this to nobody before. Maybe I ought to. I don' like Curley. He ain't a nice fella."(Steinbeck,89) She only married Curley because she didn't have nowhere else to go, even if she doesn't like him she still thought at least she wasn't all by herself. Someone wanted her and would be a someone because she was married. This affects Curley’s Wife always feeling contempt. Then by her impressively getting Lennie to talk and notices her didn't end up well, all because she wanted

Like Candy an old swamper that wasn't very handy nor had a right hand, had one last thing to hold onto but then lost it just because it was an old useless dog.As Carlson says "That stink hangs around even after he's gone,He walked over with his heavy-legged stride and looked down at the dog,Got no teeth," he said….He ain't no good to you, Candy. An' he ain't no good to himself. Why'n't you shoot him, Candy"? (Steinbeck,44) What Candy knew is that if they shot that dog he would be even more alone than he already was. When they eventually shot Candy’s dog he heard the shot and knew now he was all alone. As lennie and George were talking about their little house Candt states, "I ain't much good with on'y one hand.[S'pose I went in with you guys. That's three hundred an' fifty bucks I'd put in. I ain't much good, but I could cook and tend the chickens and hoe the garden some. How'd that be”?] Even though Candy knows he's useless he rather be in a place that won't just fire him once he can't work and be on the road with no one. Also if he stays it's a reminder that he will always be alone because he's old, all the guys think he can't do anything. If he leaves at least he knows that Lennie and George will be there for him and finally subside in life and not worry, But once Lennie kills Curley’s Wife he knows that now he will be alone once again ,his “American Dream” is over before it even