Of Mice and Men - Response

The feeling of being isolated can cause a person to indulge in negative scenarios. In 1929 the stock market crashed which resulted in the worst economic disaster in American history, the Great Depression. Millions of people were affected by this and did anything they could do to survive. In Steinbeck’s novella Of Mice and Men, the setting takes place in Soledad, California during the Great Depression. The novella follows two men, George and Lennie, as they take on a new job working on a ranch “ bucking barley” for the owner. When George and Lennie arrive at their new job, they meet Curley’s wife. Curley’s wife is married to the boss’ son. Curley’s wife’s characterization in the novella exhibits the theme of being isolated.

To begin, Curley’s wife’s physical appearance demonstrates her need for attention. The reader first meets Curley’s wife when she goes to the bunkhouse to see the men. Steinbeck writes, “She had full, rouged lips and wide-spaced eyes, heavily made up. Her fingernails were red. Her hair hung in little-rolled clusters, like sausages. She wore a cotton house dress and red mules, on the insteps of which were little bouquets of red ostrich feathers”(31). Curley’s wife wears bold colors because she yearns for attention and power. She wants to be noticed by other people, in this case, the men and wants to be respected. She feels if she wears bold colors and dresses fancy, people will admire her and see her as someone important. The red she wears also symbolizes a cry for help and attention. In reality, the colors and accessories make her apart from the crowd which makes her isolated.

Furthermore, the way that the men from the bunkhouse view her makes her feel secluded. George says, “ Listen to me you crazy bastard,” he said fiercely. “Don’t you even take a look at that bitch. I don’t care what she says and what she does. I seen ‘em poison before, but I never seen no piece of jailbait worse than her, You leave her be”(32). The men view her as poison and dangerous. They avoid her because they think she is no good. Curley’s wife is the only woman on the ranch and does not even have a name. She is considered a nobody and she can only dream to be somebody. This makes her secluded from everyone on the ranch.

Finally, her thoughts and speech demonstrate how trapped she is. Curley’s wife says, “What kinda harm am I doin’ to you? Seems like they ain’t used to livin’ like this. I coulda made somethin’ of myself.” She said darkly, “ Maybe I will yet.” And then her words tumbled out in a passion of communication, as though her listener could be taken away” (88). This quote demonstrates how she lacked a person to talk to. She is so desperate for attention until she reaches out to Lennie. She wants to have a person to talk to and a worthwhile purpose. Since her dream did not work out she ended up with Curley and stuck on the ranch all alone with