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Portrayal of Women in Of Mice and Men. Summary: In Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck portrays women as marginalized figures in a male-dominated society, primarily through Curley's wife, who...
The only female character in the story, Curley’s wife is never given a name and is only mentioned in reference to her husband. The men on the farm refer to her as a “tramp,” a “tart,” and a “looloo.” Dressed in fancy, feathered red shoes, she represents the temptation of female sexuality in a male-dominated world.
Aside from wearisome wives, Of Mice and Men offers limited, rather misogynistic, descriptions of women who are either dead maternal figures or prostitutes. Despite Steinbeck’s rendering, Curley's wife emerges as a relatively complex and interesting character.
Test yourself. Women. Sexism shaped relations in American society. Steinbeck demonstrates this in Of Mice and Men. Sexist attitudes to women.
Character Analysis Curley's Wife. Curley's wife, like the other players in the drama, is simply a character type and the only woman in the plot. She is defined by her role: Curley's wife or possession. George and Candy call her by other names such as "jailbait" or "tart."
How are women portrayed in 'Of Mice and Men'? There is just one significant female character in the play: Curley's wife. Notably, she is never referred to by name, only in relation to her husband, like an object. Curley's wife is not necessarily likeable, as shown by her mistreatment of Crooks, but we can of course feel sympathy for her situation.
Struggling with themes such as Women and Femininity in John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men? We've got the quick and easy lowdown on it here.
