Curley: Of mice and men Flashcards
(13 cards)
Introduction
Curley symbolises toxic masculinity, insecurity and the abuse of power. His aggressive behaviour and consrtant need to assert dominance reflect the competitive and hostile environment of the 1930s ranch life. He serves as a foil to characters like George and Slim.
Point 1:
Curley is aggressive and always looks for a fight
Quotes with the first point
-‘Curley’s like a lot of little guys. He hates big guys’
-‘Curley stepped over Lennie like a terrier’
Context with the first point
-His aggression is driven by insecurity and the need to prove has masculinity in a hash environment.
-During the 1930s, physical strength and toughness were idealised in men. Curley, being small feels the pressure to overcompensate and uses violence to assert dominance
Point 2:
Curley is possessive and jealous of his wife
quotes for the second point
-‘You seen a girl around here?’
-‘Curley says he’s keepin’ that hand soft for his wife’
context for the second point
-this reflects gender roles and the lack of trust in relationships during the era. How he sees himself as superior to his peers such as his wife.
-this shows how women were objectified and controlled. Curley sees his wife as a possession, not as equal, and is paranoid about other men speaking to her. His behaviour reflects a patriarchal society where men controlled women, especially in isolated environments like the ranch.
Point 3:
Curley’s violent tendencies create fear and tension on the ranch.
quotes with the third point
-‘I’ll kill the big son-of-a-bitch myself’
-‘come on, ya big bastard. Get up on your feet’
context for the third point
-His reaction to Lennie shows how violence is often the first solution in this harsh world and how his insecurity’s drive his need to present himself as powerful.
-He uses threats and aggression to gain respect because in a world like the ranch, fear often replaced genuine authority. This mirrors the harsh conditions of men competing for work and pride.
Point 4:
Curley’s defeat by Lennie embarrasses him.
quotes for the forth point
-‘Curley was flopping like a fish on a line.’
-‘Looks like Curley’s done quite a bit of damage’
context for the forth point
This highlights the theme of power and how quickly it can be reversed. And has major parallelism between this and the wall street crash of october 1929 war the times that seem so prospers can be flipped in an instant
