How Does Steinbeck Present The Unfair Treatment Of Women In Of Mice And Men

It took the United States a long time to give women the same rights as men. In 1867, it ratified the 14th amendment that we identify women as citizens of the United States. Then in 1920, women appointed the right to vote. Whilst these major steps improved women's lives, it took a long time for the whole country to get on board, specifically the rural areas, especially Salinas, California. In Of Mice and Men, a novella written by John Steinbeck, Steinbeck illustrates the unfair treatment of women in order to convey the unfair social norms in society and how they affect women. Throughout history women have struggled to find independence and freedom, in Of Mice and Men Curley's Wife is treated as an object. The men on the ranch treat her as

“Jesus what a trap,” he said” So that's what Curley picks for a wife.” (Steinbeck 32). This proves how her choice of marriage had been taken and her mother's actions gave her off. As being treated as Curley's object, his wife is supposed to stay in the barn house and not interact with the other ranchers. Curley wants his wife to be constantly monitored but also isolated. When Curley’s wife explains her isolation to Lennie, she makes him question how it would feel for him to be in her situation, “I get lonely , she said. “You can talk to people, but I can't talk to nobody but Curley. Else he gets mad. How’d you like to not talk to anyone.” (Steinbeck 87). An important part of Lennie's character is how he is able to connect and communicate with George, without him Lennie would struggle to live. This is because Curley's wife is lonely and isolated. The grasp that Curley has on her prevents her from being able to live. The tight hold that Curley has on his wife has made her resentful. Prior to being shackled to Curley she had a life and could

They portray her to suspect infidelity and seeking attention.. Curley's wife is written to be pretty and desirable, especially to the likes of Lennie. When he and George first meet her, it is obvious to George that Lennie has taken a liking to Curley's wife, “No you never. But when she was standing in the doorway shown in her legs, you weren't looking the other way either.” (Steinbeck 32) Curley's wife is a temptation similar to the forbidden fruit in the story of Adam and Eve. Her character is only to further push Lennie's character by showing his restraint. Curley's wife is also guilty of doing this with other members of the ranch hands. This has caused distrust between Curley and the others on the ranch. Nobody would think twice about Curley's Wife being disloyal because the characters believe that that is all she wants. Curley always assumes the worst in his wife in the hopes he can prove his own personal strength and masculinity, George explains this “ThinkSlims with his wife, don't he? “ said George.”(Steineck 54). When George delivers this quote there isn't any shock or strong emotion, just indifference. It is almost as if he had expected of Curley's wife. That a woman's worth is based on a man and all they want is the attention of a man. Anybody did not n't note What is that Curley has made his wife isolated and lonely? She longs for her past when she could communicate