Women

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Women

Sexism shaped relations in American society. Steinbeck demonstrates this in Of Mice and Men.

Sexist attitudes to women

Before Curley’s wife is introduced in person, Steinbeck includes a conversation between the ranch workers where various derogatory things are said about her, for example, Candy calls her a “tart” (Candy, Section 2).
The fact that these things are said about Curley’s wife behind her back, before the reader has been properly introduced to her, might evoke some sympathy for Curley’s wife as the only woman surrounded by all of these sexist men.

Brothels

The general attitude that the men have towards women is also seen through their tendency to spend their money in brothels, or “Old Susy’s place” (Whit, Section 3).

Curley's wife's femininity

Curley’s wife is presented as being glamorous and “heavily made up” (Section 2). She is meant to stand out in the predominantly male surroundings.
You could say that Curley's wife embodies the traditional model of feminine beauty.

Curley's wife flirtatiousness

Curley’s wife has a flirtatious manner when around the ranch workers: “She put her hands behind her back and leaned against the door frame so that her body was thrown forward.” (Section 2).

1Context & Overview

1.1Context & Overview

1.1.1The Great Depression

1.1.2Racism

1.1.3The American Dream

1.1.4Of Mice & Men

1.2John Steinbeck

1.2.1John Steinbeck's Life

1.2.2End of Topic Test - Context & Overview

2Plot

2.1Section 1 - Analysis

2.1.1Section 1 - Plot

2.1.2Section 1 - Overview

2.2Section 2 - Analysis

2.2.1Section 2 - Plot

2.2.2Section 2 - Overview

2.3Section 3 - Analysis

2.3.1Section 3 - Plot

2.3.2Section 3 - Overview

2.3.3End of Topic Test - Sections 1-3

2.4Section 4 - Analysis

2.4.1Section 4 - Plot

2.4.2Section 4 - Overview

2.5Section 5 - Analysis

2.5.1Section 5 - Plot

2.5.2Section 5 - Overview

2.6Section 6 - Analysis

2.6.1Section 6 - Plot

2.6.2Section 6 - Overview

2.6.3End of Topic Test - Sections 4-6

3Key Characters

3.1Main Characters

3.1.1George

3.1.2Lennie - Strength

3.1.3Lennie - Innocence & Dependence

3.1.4Slim

3.1.5Curley

3.1.6Curley's Wife - Flirtatious

3.1.7Curley's Wife - Lonely & Heartbroken

3.1.8Crooks

3.1.9Candy

3.1.10End of Topic Test - George & Lennie

3.1.11End of Topic Test - Slim, Curley & Curley's Wife

3.2Minor Characters

3.2.1Minor Characters

3.2.2End of Topic Test - Crooks, Candy & Others

4Themes

4.1Key Themes

4.1.1Hopes, Dreams & Reality

4.1.2Racial Prejudice

4.1.3Loneliness & Companionship

4.1.4The Weak & Strong

4.1.5Women

4.1.6End of Topic Test - Key Themes

5Authorial Method

5.1Writing Techniques

5.1.1Dialogue

5.1.2Imagery

5.1.3Light

5.1.4Sound

5.1.5Symbolism

5.1.6Structure

5.1.7End of Topic Test - Writing Techniques

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