How Does Steinbeck Present The Objectification Of Women In Of Mice And Men

Charlotte Perkins Gilman and John Steinbeck, authors of The Yellow Wallpaper and Of Mice and Men respectively use techniques such as dialogue, foreshadowing, symbolism, and unreliable narration in order to portray the idea of femininity – or rather, the flaws in this idea. Both fictional stories are based on real and human experiences, and in order to portray this, both authors have used a variation of techniques to help the reader understand the complex social context of the texts. To paint the idea that women are only used as object, Steinbeck and Gilman use dialogue heavily between both the males in the novel and the female characters. Symbolism is also used to show the objectification of women in Of Mice and Men. In the duration of both

Steinbeck is a heavy user of dialogue – and his novels use this technique to portray a plethora of themes and emotions, which allow the readers to understand and relate to his characters deeply. Curley’s wife, the women in the ‘Cat houses’, and The Narrator are described derogatorily by the men in their lives on an almost constant basis, as exemplified by George telling Lennie that "She’s [Curley’s Wife] gonna make a mess. […] She’s a jail bait all set on the trigger” (Steinbeck pt3), The Narrator being referred to as a “Silly goose” (Gilman) by John, and the women in cat houses clearly being treated as a mean to an end: "You give me a good whore house every time […] A guy can go in an' get drunk and get ever'thing outa his system all at once, an' no messes” (Steinbeck, pt 3). Symbolism is also a powerful method used in both texts to portray women as objects. Curley’s Wife, as well as The Narrator are not even granted the privilege of a name – something that is granted to every male character. This is a compelling device, which combined with use of dialogue, admittedly makes the reader view the characters as lesser than their male

The Narrator’s disdain for the situation she is in is clearly shown through how she tells her story. As her insanity grows deeper, the wallpaper is described as a prison, something that has a sub-pattern whose “dim shapes get clearer every day. […] And it is like a woman stooping down and creeping about behind that pattern” (Gilman). This life that The Narrator has been born into is not one that she fits into, so she identifies with this hypothetical woman trapped behind a metaphorical wall of femininity. Both The Narrator and Curley’s wife are trapped in a life they do not want to lead, which Steinbeck shows through dialogue. Curley’s Wife is bored. She has aspirations that she will never reach, and is instead stuck in the role of a newlywed wife – where she is required to be monogamous while her husband flounces around with other women. She is so obviously craving attention and companionship, but her dangerous persona means that she is brushed off by everyone: telling Lennie "Well, I ain't giving you no trouble. Think I don't like to talk to somebody ever' once in a while? Think I like to stick in that house alla time?" (Steinbeck pg38). Both of these characters are prime examples of women who do