Curly's Wife in Of Mice and Men Essay

It is not an oversight that Curleys wife, although a relatively minor character, was left nameless in Steinbecks Of Mice and Men. She is not in the story as someone to relate to, and by giving her a name, it would bring more similarity to the reader. Her status also has to do with this. She is not regarded as anything significant, therefore she does not need a name. Steinbeck leaves her unnamed so she lacks something that makes her appear as an equal individual. She is not meant to be very important in this novel. Curleys wife is not part of the story to connect with the reader, and by giving her a name, the reader would become much more attached.

Curleys wife is isolated and ignored in Of Mice and Men. She isnt cared about at all. In fact, she is avoided at all costs by the men at the ranch. Her own husband does not show much care, since he is more concerned about seeking revenge on Lennie than grieving for his dead wife. Nobody cares enough about her that she needs a specific identity. Calling someone by name creates a more personal experience, whereas referring to her in relation to her husband produces a less respectable outlook on the person. After Slims suggestion to Curley, maybe you better stay here with your wife, Curley responded with Im goin (98). This demonstrates the fact that Curley loves fighting more than he loves his wife. He is so focused on finally finding an excuse to hurt Lennie that he almost entirely ignores the fact that his wife has just died. She isnt an important aspect of his life.

In a way, names are a status symbol. Curleys wife is unnamed, in part, to show her low status. Children often name various different objects and creatures, making them more important than the unnamed things in the world. This goes for characters too; namelessness gives readers an innate illusion of insignificance. Curleys wife is not viewed as anything relatively important in the eyes of the ranch workers. Shown in Candys rude remark to her, You aint wanted here. We told you you aint (79), Curleys wife receives no respect. Names also are a way to relate to a character. It is much easier to identify with a character who has his or her own identity.

Individuals are defined, in part, by their name. Curleys wife, however, is defined by her relation to her husband. She is viewed as property instead of an individual, and her lack of a name displays this. Instead of being a distinguished person, she is only known as a mere possession of Curley. Steinbeck leaves her nameless to undermine her individuality. Her tremendous want to be with others isnt acknowledged because of her minute importance to anyone in contact with her, which is made clear when Candy says, We aint got nothing to say to you at all. We know what we got, and we dont care whether you know it or not (79). Candy is obvious about the fact that he doesnt want to deal with her, as is every other person on the ranch. The ranch workers constantly emphasize this point, and the author makes her less appealing by doing so. This causes the incident with her to fail to take away from the bigger incident that comes from it.

The ending of the novel is meant to be very dramatic. Steinbeck prevents the reader from becoming emotionally attached to Curleys wife, so that her death is not the tragic focus of the story. Her death leads to the heartbreaking ending, in which Lennie is killed by George. This event is supposed to provoke many more emotions than the incident involving Curleys wife. By making her unimportant and less endearing, Lennies death is far more significant in the story. None of the characters consider her death to be the least bit sorrowful, which is obvious with Georges comment, Guess guess we gotta tell the guys. I guess we gotta get im an lock im up. We cant let im get away. Why, the poor bastardd starve (94), and it even shows how Lennie is the main focus.

Steinbeck doesnt want Curleys wife to be prominent in the readers mind; she is not meant to be the focal point. Her lack of a name creates a gap between her and the reader. The fact that she is left unidentified is not an oversight by Steinbeck. Curleys wife is meant to stay in the background while other characters, such as Lennie, are supposed to be objects of compassion. By leaving Curleys wife nameless, she has less in common with the reader, therefore creating a separation which prevents the reader from becoming emotionally attached. She is not a very amicable or important character, and leaving her nameless puts emphasis on this fact.