The Presentation of Curley's wife in John Steinbecks novel "Of Mice and Men"

"Of Mice and Men" is not kind in its portrayel of women. In fact, women are treated with contempt throughout the course of the novel. Steinbeck generally depicts women as being troublemakers who bring ruin on men and drive them mad. Curley's wife, who walks the ranch as a temptress, seems to be a prime example of this destructive tendency - Curley's already bad temper has only worsened since their wedding. Aside from wearisome wives, …

…We feel a mixture of emotions about Curley's wife. It is easy to criticide her for being to flirty and dangerous in such a male dominated area yet I feel a great sympathy for such a sad, lonely creature who is trapped in a loveless marriage to a bully of a husband. Like so many of the characters she will never achieve her dreams and her lonliness and desire for attention ultimately causes her death.