Curley and Curley

Curley Curley is a violent bully. Though a small man, he can get away with his aggression because he is the son of the boss. Also, of course, he used to be a boxer. He treats the men badly and his wife even worse - he's only been married a short time but is already leaving her for the women in town.George has to shoot Lennie at the end to save him from what …

…a name because by being called Curley's wife she is seen as a possession (something belonging to Curley) rather than a person in her own right. She is just described as a tart, but little more is known about her. Maybe it's because of this that she enjoys teasing Lennie and the others on the ranch; she knows Curley does not approve and it is a way of getting her own sense of individuality back.