Curley's Wife quotes Flashcards
(15 cards)
“I get lonely. You can talk to people, but I can’t talk to nobody but Curley. Else he gets mad.”
Reveals her isolation despite living among many men. Women had limited social options in male-dominated environments.
“Think I don’t like to talk to somebody ever’ once in a while? Think I like to stick in that house alla time?”
Expresses frustration with domestic confinement. Women’s proper place was considered the home, with severe social penalties for deviation.
“I don’t like Curley. He ain’t a nice fella.”
Simple statement revealing her unhappy marriage. Women often married for economic security rather than compatibility.
“Listen, Nigger… You know what I can do to you if you open your trap?”
Shows how even those with little power can leverage racial hierarchy. White women could weaponize race against Black men, with potentially lethal consequences.
“Coulda been in the movies, an’ had nice clothes—all them nice clothes like they wear.”
Reveals her thwarted ambitions and dreams. Hollywood represented one of few paths to independence for women in the 1930s.
“I tell you I ain’t used to livin’ like this. I coulda made somethin’ of myself.”
Shows her resentment at her limited options. Women’s professional opportunities were severely limited in 1930s America.
“Well, I wasn’t gonna stay no place where I couldn’t get nowhere or make something of myself.”
Shows her desire for social mobility and recognition. American Dream of self-improvement was more accessible to men than women.
“You’re all scared of each other, that’s what. Ever’ one of you’s scared the rest is goin’ to get something on you.”
Insight into the lack of trust and community among the workers. Economic competition bred mistrust rather than solidarity.
“I’m glad you bust up Curley a little bit. He got it comin’ to him. Sometimes I’d like to bust him myself.”
Shows her resentment of her husband’s power over her. Domestic abuse had no legal remedies in 1930s America.
“What’s the matter with me? Ain’t I got a right to talk to nobody?”
Her defensive response to constant rejection by the ranch workers. Women who sought male companionship outside marriage were stigmatized.
“None of them cares how I gotta live.”
Shows her awareness of her invisibility as a person. Women’s inner lives and aspirations were often dismissed or ignored.
“Well, I ain’t giving you no trouble. Think I don’t like to talk to somebody ever’ once in a while?”
Reveals her fundamental desire for human connection. Social isolation was particularly acute for women in male-dominated settings.
“Sat’iday night. Ever’body out doin’ som’pin’. Ever’body! An’ what am I doin’? Standin’ here talkin’ to a bunch of bindle stiffs.”
Shows her frustration with her limited social opportunities. Rural women had few social outlets compared to urban women in the 1930s.
“Baloney! What you think you’re sellin’ me?”
Shows her resentment at how men perceive her. Women were often reduced to sexual objects rather than seen as full persons.
“I don’ like Curley. He ain’t a nice fella.”
Simple but revealing statement about her marriage. Repeated to emphasize her unhappiness in the marriage she entered for security.
