Of Mice and Men by John SteinbeckOf Mice and Men
George and Lennie are two guys who look for work so they can earn money during the Great Depression. Lennie is a big and strong guy, but he is not too bright, while George is a small man, although he is much smarter then Lennie. They both have a dream about having their own place, with some land and some animals. They find a ranch they can work at, but will they be able to achieve their dream?
Curley's Wife
Curley's Wife is the only woman on the ranch, where George and Lennie work. She is a pretty woman, however she is described as a tart. Her dream is to become a Hollywood actress. A guy offered her the job and said she acted well. He said he would write a letter from Hollywood, but she never got it. Curley's wife thinks her old lady took it, so she married Curley to get away from her.
I think John Steinbeck the author of "Of Mice and Men" decided to include this character because she is a good example of how everybody can not achieve their dream. She is also one of the characters you think badly about in the start, but as you get to know more of her sad and lonely life, you will get more sympathy for her. Curley's wife does not achieve her dreams, and I think Steinbeck tries to tell us that even if the American Dream is for everyone, not everyone can achieve it.
I think the reason Steinbeck did not give her a name, is that she is a side character and more of a device to move the plot forward. She is one of the most important side characters since she is the cause of why Lennie dies. She is more of a "symbol" then a person as she does not have much of an identity. Also by having no name is a way of showing how she is not famous.
Curley's wife is married to Curley, who she does not love. She thinks Curley fight too much. Her dream of becoming a film actress was also ruined since she dies in chapter 5. In the end Curley’s wife was another example by Steinbeck of how everybody can not achieve their dream.
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-american-dream.htm
http://kclibrary.lonestar.edu/decade30.html
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