How Is Curley's Wife A Victim

In John Steinbeck's novel Of Mice and Men, there are many characters in this novel, one being Curley’s wife. Throughout the novel, Curley's wife is portrayed as a complicated character, often seen as both a victim and a villain. Steinbeck uses her physical appearance and actions to illustrate this. Curley's wife is a character that many readers view as a villain. While some may argue that she is a victim of circumstance, there are several reasons why she can be viewed as a negative character, such as being manipulative, misleading, and a symbol of temptation. Curley's wife's manipulative nature is evident throughout the novel. She uses her looks to "control" the men on the ranch, as seen in her conversation with Candy and Crooks. For example, when she says to Candy and Crooks, “If I catch any one man, and he's alone, I get along fine with him”(Steinbeck, 77).

The actions taken by Curley’s wife allow her to enjoy the attention that she receives from them and use it to her advantage. This behavior illustrates her willingness to manipulate those around her to achieve her goals and desires. Secondly, Curley's wife is portrayed as a misleading person on the ranch. She is introduced to the reader as an "attractive" woman, but Candy adds that she's "got the eye," (Steinback, 29). This implies that she is flirtatious and could lead men into trouble. Her makeup and flashy clothing suggest that she seeks attention, and her interactions with the ranch workers often involve her trying to flirt with them and gain their attention. Additionally, she always wears makeup and flashy clothing, which is unusual for a woman living on a ranch and could be seen as an attempt to attract attention. Lastly, Curley's wife is also portrayed as a symbol of temptation and