Introduction:
·
Curley
is an important character in ‘Of Mice and Men’
o
He
is involved in many significant events.
o
Steinbeck
uses his character traits to help develop the plot.
Features:
·
Curley
is small. “Curley’s like a lot of little guys”
o
It
makes him insecure – he constantly tries to prove himself.
o
This
makes him volatile. “Curley’s rage exploded.”
·
Curley
is violent
o
He
is small so he learnt to fight.
o
He
enjoys picking fights with bigger men (fight between Lennie)
o
‘No
big son-of-a-bitch is gonna laugh at me.’
·
Curley
is self-obsessed.
o
His
wife hates him because he only talks about his fights.
o
“Think
I’m gonna…listen how Curley’s gonna lead with his left twice…”
·
Curley
has authority on the ranch.
o
He
is not considered deserving of the authority by the other workers on the ranch.
(boss’ son)
o
He
throws his weight around.
Events:
·
The
fight with Lennie.
o
He
is a victim of his own insecure volatility.
·
Death
of Curley’s wife
o
Made
her lonely on the ranch
o
Drove
her to a fatal relationship with Lennie
·
Death
of Lennie
o
Made
George’s actions necessary
§ Threatened Lennie with huge amounts
of pain
Interactions:
·
Curley’s
Wife
o
Always
looking for her, never shows them interacting
o
Controlling,
insecure about her whereabouts
o
Makes
him blame others easily
·
Lennie
o
Hates
him because he’s large – ‘big bastard’
o
Shows
his jealousy and insecurity about his own size
o
Makes
him volatile around Lennie – fight scene
·
Ranch
workers mock him
o
‘Glove
fulla’ vaseline’
o
He
is too controlling
o
Does
not encourage respect – he demands it
Key Themes:
·
Anger
o
Short-tempered
– ‘Curley’s rage exploded’
o
Volatile
with big people – wants authority
o
Causes
hatred towards himself
o
Reaction
to being mocked – immediately angry without being provoked much
·
Weakness
o
Insecurities
about his size
§ Makes him volatile
o
Not
respected
§ Doesn’t command respect; others do
not like him
o
Unsuccessful
marriage
§ Constantly watching out for his wife
– does not trust her
o
Doesn’t
understand people’s feelings
§ Doesn’t understand why George is
upset about Lennie’s death
§ Isn’t upset about his own wife’s
death
·
Loneliness
o
Bad
marriage
o
No
one likes him
o
Has
no friends on the ranch
Conclusion
·
Curley
is important
o
His
weaknesses and volatility are the cause of many significant events in the
novella
o
His
interactions and features help to develop not only his character, but others
too
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