George slapped Lennie in the face repeatedly and still Lennie held on. I aint mad, an I aint now. He grabs a hold of her hair and muffles her screams. Why does Curley's wife offer to let Lennie pet her hair? Notice that Lennie's face is bloody and bruised up from the fight with Curley. Who scolds Lennie after he kills Curleys wife? If you're interested in learning more about Curley's wife, I've provided a link to a copy of a letter that Steinbeck wrote to an actress who was playing Curley's wife in a stage adaptation of the story. She is painted as an emotionless tramp who is looking to get with anyone she can. With our Essay Lab, you can create a customized outline within seconds to get started on your essay right away. After Curley finds out that his wife has died, he becomes determined to kill Lennie gruesomely for revenge. Everything that George did or tried to do was always influenced by Lennies wellbeing. What did Lennie do to curleys wife? This also shows that George could have had a good life, even a better life if his dream of being able to take care of Lennie did not become a burden upon himself and influenced his life so greatly. Why do George and candy give up on their dream Why cant they accomplish it without Lennie? What did George say after killing Lennie? When Lennie is first introduced to Curley's wife, he notices that she is pretty, and stares at her, which satisfies her longing for attention: "Lennie's eyes moved down over her body, and though she did not seem to be looking at Lennie she bridled a little" (31). What happened that made George stop playing tricks on Lennie in Of Mice and Men? George again shows that he is caring when George encourages, In the novella of Mice And Men, although the men on the ranch are threatened by and, Lennie is in many ways helpless and does not know how to care for himself. Someone once said, A villain is just a victim whose story hasnt been told. The character known as Curleys Wife in Of Mice and Men is portrayed in John Steinbecks writing as an antagonist. First, when George was introducing himself and Lennie to their new boss, he said, I never seen one guy take so much trouble for another guy. This shows that George was portraying that he cares about Lennie enough to be picked up on by others. Why does Curley's wife always seek out the ranch hands? Lennie is crying because he has killed his puppy. As a result, he shakes her and breaks her neck. She is lonely and 853 words Read More Outline For Of Mice And Men Loneliness Essay Essay Outline First, George could have let Curley and the rest of the guys handle getting rid of Lennie. How long do you keep a Suboxone pill under your tongue? She starts talking to Lennie and then lets him touch her hair because it is soft. She starts to wish that she would have lived somewhere else and became an actress. Lennie kills Curley's wife completely by accident. George is supportive of and helpful to Lennie as a friend should. Decent Essays. At the end, when Lennie killed Curleys wife, Curley wanted Lennie dead, he didnt care if someone like George will be hurt by killing his own friend, he just wanted him dead. The death of Curley's wife is ultimately unimportant to the novel's outcome since it is clear that George and Lennie were never going to achieve the American dream and live on a farm of their own. Curley objectifies his wife by threatening the other men, monitoring her movements, and dismissing her individual needs. As a result, he broke her neck. He made Lennie think that their dreams could come true to make him happy, even though George knew that it wasn't possible. And then about a year later when Lennie accidentally killed Curleys wife, the whole farm was after him. He does, but his big, clumsy fingers start to mess it up, and she angrily tells him to let go. A struggle ensues Lennie panicking and Curley's wife's eyes "wild with terror" until her body flops "like a fish" and then she is still. He did this . In Chapter 5, Curley's lonely wife finds Lennie in one of the stalls, stroking his puppy that has died, probably because he has handled it too much. This represents the hopelessness of men like them. He also says Im gonna shoot the guts outta that big bastard myself, even if I only got one hand. These quotes prove that Curley doesnt care if he kills someone, or how that person feels. Lennie, who gets frightened and uses his strength to hold on to objects, is just like a child. She is usually described as Curley's possession and is frequently objectified by the ranch hands. Why did Curleys wife let Lennie pet her hair? She knows she can get Lennie to talk with her while the other men are playing games outside. His death was symbolic because it could have represented the American Dream and the hope for a better tomorrow because it showed how their dreams did not come true and that their hopes were ruined by the end of their life. What is are the functions of diverse organisms? She lies dead on the hay. It's her fault Curley enters the bunkhouse when Lennie crushes the small man's hand. Curley's wife says he can get another one. See answer (1) Copy. More books than SparkNotes. Lennie is certainly strong; in the very opening of the book he is described as a bear and is constantly referred to in animal terms. Are smallmouth or largemouth harder to fight. When he killed her, it was as if he was losing a companion, leaving Lennie with a sad feeling of loss. As she talks, she moves closer, confiding in him about the life she might have had. The text states, "'That big son-of-a-bitch done it. We are mapping the world's opinions to help improve civil discourse. Curley's wife is a critical character in Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. Steinbeck's initial portrayal of Curley's wife shows her to be a mean and seductive temptress. Copyright 1999 - 2023 GradeSaver LLC. This shows that George is caring because he got Lennie out of a dangerous situation. They dream of roots, stability, and independence. Although Lenny is such a soft gentle man, he often becomes confused and frightened and is unable to control the illness embedded within his mind. What are the Physical devices used to construct memories? Why Do Cross Country Runners Have Skinny Legs? But was she? In fact, Curley's wife leads to all of the trouble Lennie has on the ranch. What does the swamper tell George about Curley's left hand? The death of Curley's wife is also symbolically important and represents the futility of dreams. Curleys wife states I tell you I aint used to livin like this, I coulda made somethin of myself. (Steinbeck 88). [P2] The death serves as a reminder of the incredible strength Lennie had and shows how he (tragically) misused it. He is angry and vengeful not only because his wife has been killed, but also because Lennie had gotten the better of him previously, in the confrontation in which his hand was broken. In the book Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, there are some characters who are good, and some who are bad. Copyright 2023 IPL.org All rights reserved. Chapter 5. Lennie is responsible for killing Curley's wife because he did it. Before he breaks her neck, he puts his hand over her mouth to muffle her screams, and says angrily to her that "You gonna get me in trouble." She is clearly starved for conversation and launches into a reprise of her discontented story of what might have been. 2023 Course Hero, Inc. All rights reserved. Explain what happened between Lennie and Curley's wife? Lennie observes that he has "done a bad thing" (100) and covers her body with hay. Curley's wife is promiscuous and prettyshe dresses in a provocative. George cares about everyone, he makes them feel good, George is the only one who is thoughtful, compared to everyone else, the others mostly care about. First, Curley's wife insists on talking with Lennie even after he warns her that he ain't supposed to because George's scared [he'll] get in trouble. Then Curley's wife invites Lennie to pet her soft hair, but when he gets too rough, she jerked her head sideways, and Lennie's fingers closed on her hair and hung on . He then, at her invitation, starts stroking her hair, commenting "that's nice," before he accidentally breaks her neck after she starts screaming when he strokes too hard. When George Killed Lennie Is Wrong 758 Words | 4 Pages. [P3] The manhunt ultimately results in the death of Lennie. Accessed 4 Mar. Ill go right off in the hills an find a cave if you dont want me.. He will do whatever George tells him to: "Curley was flopping like a fish on a line, and his closed fist was lost in Lennie's hand". Curly's wife has many reasons for being lonely. < (1 of 2) Next argument > The Argument The death of Curley's wife sets off a chain reaction for the events that close out "Of Mice and Men". He is mad at the puppy because it died and he throws the puppy at the wall. Lennie has a soft spot for touching soft things, this has caused him to make outrageous action like killing Curleys Wife: "I like to pet nice things with my fingers, sof' things." (Page 90). In Chapter Five, Curley's wife enters the barn in a dress decorated with red ostrich feathers. On page 98 Curley says Hes got Carlsons Luger. Curley's wife begins to struggle, which sends Lennie into a panic. she tells him she lost her virginity at the age of 15. Character Analysis He then disappears from the barn with the dead puppy in hand. He tells George that she is pretty, and he tells her that he can't talk to her because she'll get him "in a mess," which he tells her again just before he breaks her neck. Curley's wife is lonely, Lennie is mentally slow, Candy is old and without a right hand, and Crooks is black in a sad time when that is not extremely acceptable. Curley shows his vindictive nature in recommending that Lennie be shot in the stomach. and any corresponding bookmarks? 2023 Course Hero, Inc. All rights reserved. Also, she just wanted anyone who would talk to her and listen to her. She is defined by her role: Curley's wife or possession. Immediately he remembers to hide in the brush until George comes. He was her friend because Curley never spend time with her In Chapter 5, Lennie is sitting alone until Curley's wife enters. "tend them rabits" if he talks to her. In Chapter 5, Lennie is sitting alone until Curley's wife enters. This causes Lennie to panic in turn, and he breaks her neck. Not affiliated with Harvard College. As Lenny and Curleys wife connect deeply, she lets him touch her soft hair; however, Lennie would not let go. Curley, carrying a shotgun, tells Carlson to take Crooks' shotgun, and the men leave, taking George with them to find Lennie. The most ironic thing about this scene is that her death is that it is preceded by a moment of human connection. George has lied about the Luger because he has taken it; he does not want to admit this act as the men will believe he is involved in Curleys wifes death and hurt him, too, and he will not be able to accompany the men and intercede for Lennie when they find him, or to take action on his own. I chose Curley, George, and Curleys wife , because I thought they were the most interesting characters in this book. George goes to the bunkhouse. Carlson and Curley return, and Carlson claims that Lennie has stolen his Luger. bookmarked pages associated with this title. This dream comes to a screeching halt when Lennie kills the boss's son's wife. He doesn't mean to do it; as always with Lennie, he doesn't . In the article Im not a tart, Meester, the actor who plays Curleys wife on Broadway, has an interesting opinion to this girl without a name. Of Mice and Men, written by John Steinbeck, takes place during the time of The Great Depression; an era extremely difficult for women. Curley's wife tells Lennie of her life and her missed opportunity to travel with the show that came through her hometown. He accidentally broke her neck while trying to calm her down. Lennie fails to understand her at all, however, as he continues to return to the dilemma of the dead puppy and his anxiety over being denied the right to tend the rabbits. How I first felt about her in chapter 2 is that, I thought she was kind of bossy and I honestly knew that I was going to hate her. He shakes her violently, telling her to keep quiet so that George doesn't hear her. Enjoy eNotes ad-free and cancel anytime. What are two examples showing how Lennie is discriminated against because of his disability in the book Of Mice and Men? Let's be honest I was glad she died. Why does Lennie become angry with Curley's wife? Lennie experiences two visions in this last scene. For example in Chapter 5, when Lennie is in the barn, getting all flustered and frustrated because he had just killed the pup on accident because he was play fighting with him, Curleys Wife came in, and started bothering him. Lennies death paralleled Candys dogs death because they were both considered burdens. Following his comment, Curley's wife chatters on, explaining more about her lost chance to become an actress and how she met Curley. And also because she could be doing better in her life instead of sitting around being bored and only being able to associate with Curley. and any corresponding bookmarks? George helps him by giving him short commands and telling him to repeat things to himself to remember things. from your Reading List will also remove any In Chapter 5, Lennie is sitting alone until Curleys wife enters. The reactions to her death start a manhunt against Lennie. She is the only woman on a ranch full of grown men who work all day, I can see how she could get lonely and seek attention to herself to pass the time. She is, after all, the wife of the boss's very jealous son. Steinbeck reiterates this impression by portraying her innocence in death: Curley's wife lay with a half-covering of yellow hay. George also made Candy feel better when his dog died. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like Having a wife shows possession of power and a higher rank., She is objectified and embarrassed by her husband, linking to the lack of respect for women in the 1930s. Georges actions in the end of the book results in him murdering Lennie. George first shows that hes caring when he and Lennie run away from Weed because Lennie touched a girls dress. Curleys wife is introduced just like any other; however, the emphasis on her feminine features are metaphoric to where women stand in society. It also shows what negative outcomes can come out of doing this. Without Lennie, George cannot envision himself carrying on, and he realises that the dream was never really possible. person she could talk to. Curley's wife comes by the bunkhouse and does a bit of flirting with George, Lennie, and any other males within viewing range. Curley's wife observes that Lennie is "[j]us' like a big baby" (99) and invites him to stroke her soft hair. Her beauty is such that perhaps that dream might have come true. CliffsNotes study guides are written by real teachers and professors, so no matter what you're studying, CliffsNotes can ease your homework headaches and help you score high on exams. According to the text All the time he coulda had such a good time if it wasnt for you. She is extremely lonely and views Curley as mean-spirited. Their lack of wealth, Lennie's lack of intelligence, and their negative past experiences in Weed all create a barrier that is impossible to breakthrough. 490 Words. CliffsNotes study guides are written by real teachers and professors, so no matter what you're studying, CliffsNotes can ease your homework headaches and help you score high on exams. What happened to Lennies puppy? This is an echo of the story George earlier related to Slim about Lennie stroking a woman's red dress too hard back in Weed and the woman claiming rape. In order to prove that society makes it impossible for certain people to attain The American Dream, Steinbeck objectifies, sexualizes, and kills Curleys wife to show that women cannot reach The American Dream. The protagonists of the novella, George and Lennie, are heading to work at a ranch after fleeing from their last job.. Lennie tried to tell her to stop and she would not. Of mice an men film (1992) Now George has no dream, and he will end up working like the other ranch hands and spending his money in a poolroom or "some lousy cat house.". How are Lennies two visions indicative of his childlike innocence? Carlson, Whit, Curley, and Crooks come back in the barn with Candy and, following them, George. What are the Physical devices used to construct memories? Lennie killed it by snapping its neck because he thought the puppy was going to bite him. fella". After finding Curley's wife dead, Curley had a horrible idea of making Lennie suffer. Although Lennie is the one who physically kills Curley's wife, Of Mice and Men consistently shows that Lennie is not to blame for her death. 2023. Who are the experts?Our certified Educators are real professors, teachers, and scholars who use their academic expertise to tackle your toughest questions. A bit hurt and confused, Lennie points out that George was looking at her too. Is it right to blame anyone for their own death on themselves when they were murdered for doing nothing wrong? Many of the male characters on the ranch feel threatened by her, calling her jailbait because she is flirtatious. Lennie is responsible for killing Curley's wife because he did it. treated him as if he was her closest friend ,but Lennie was warried As the story continues, there are many hidden indications that she could be seen as a much simpler, innocent presence, rather than an evil. Had Curley found him, he would have exacted his revenge for both breaking his hand earlier in the novel, and for murdering his wife, he says "I'm gonna get him. Curley's wife is depicted as a manipulator and a temptress throughout Of Mice and Men. Curley's wife tells Lennie of her life and her missed opportunity to travel with the show that came through her hometown. He says I could go with that show. Her dreams make her more human and vulnerable. She was very pretty and simple, and her face was sweet and young. Eventually, she brings about the end of the dream of Eden, the little farm where George and Lennie can live off the fat of the land. I chose Curley for no empathy because, Curley didnt care about anyone except for his wife, and I think that Curley didnt even care about her wife, it was just lust. Candy finds Curley's wife and runs out to find George, who, upon seeing the body, knows what happened. Let us know your assignment type and we'll make sure to get you exactly the kind of answer you need. They treat her wrong because in this novella they only calls her Curleys wife they never called her by her name so no one will ever know what it was. She tries talking to Lennie, Crooks, and Candy, but they want her to leave. Curley's wife did not know that day in the barn would be her last. What does Curleys wife tell Lennie and why? What happened to lennies puppy? Who is Katy mixon body double eastbound and down season 1 finale? In the book Curleys Wife is portrayed as a whore and not much else. Copyright 1999 - 2023 GradeSaver LLC. Being the only woman on the farm and her past, resulted in her being depressed and lonely. Everyday we are influenced by our goals or dreams. from your Reading List will also remove any Georges caring nature makes him a good friend because it shows that he is willing to protect Lennie when hes in trouble. Curley's wife is terribly lonely. eNotes Editorial, 6 Apr. In the movie version she was a damsel in distress. Curley's wife is the only female character who is directly featured in the novel. When George questions Candy for the reason he acts that way, Candy . George knows that he has to kill Lennie in order to protect him. He does not take responsibility for being too rough with the puppy and begins to worry about Georges reaction. She is defined by her role: Curley's wife or possession. And the meanness and the plannings and the discontent and the ache for attention were all gone from her face. Lennie, however, is still trying to figure out how to get rid of the dead pup so that George won't know. After all, Lennie is a big man, and Curly figures that fighting him will either raise his stature amongst the men. Removing #book# 2019, https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-did-lennie-say-about-curleys-wife-2061. Lennie was touching Curley's wife's hair when he went too far, and touched her too hard. Lennie has a mental disability, making him dependent upon George to manage day to day life in the difficult environment in which they live and work. But in the movie she was in a very different situation. Curley was also rude towards everyone and, he even attacked people who he thinks were with her wife. Lennie accidentally kills Curley's wife by shaking and breaking her neck. In summary, these brief comments are the only comments Lennie makes about Curley's Wife. Curley's Wife. George has no responsibility to take care of Lennie, yet George is willing to do anything for Lennie. What happened after Lennie kills Curley's wife? In Of Mice and Men, innocence is the only quality that can keep a man from becoming old, lonely, and bitter. Why does George kill Lennie in Of Mice and Men? What happened after Lennie kills Curley's wife? Curleys wife didnt take him seriously ,but he was the only Curley's wife begins to struggle, which sends Lennie into a panic. What does Curley's wife say she could have done to Crooks? In particular, he struggles to comprehend that what is perfectly normal to. Do Men Still Wear Button Holes At Weddings? Curley's wife knows her beauty is her power, and she uses it to flirt with the ranch hands and make her husband jealous. Lennie responds absently with concern about his dream farm and the rabbits he will have. Being the only woman on the farm and her past, resulted in her being depressed and lonely. What did Curleys wife tell Lennie? Before Curley's wife leaves, what does she notice about Lennie? Latest answer posted November 19, 2020 at 6:35:21 PM. In Of Mice and Men, how and why does Lennie kill Curley's wife? Why did Curley's wife rush to marry Curley? When George claims that they might find Lennie first and bring him in and lock him up, Slim explains that Curley will want to kill him, and even if he doesn't, how would Lennie like being locked up and strapped down like an animal in a cage? She is utterly alone on the ranch, and her husband has seen to it that no one will talk to her without fearing a beating. After she became mad about her hair being messed up, she began to yell and Lennie thought she was going to get him in trouble. Lennie accidentally kills Curley's wife by shaking and breaking her neck. For example, he also said, I could. George is immediately alarmed by this, and with uncharacteristic vehemence, he instructs Lennie to stay away from her. He keeps repeating "she's purty." Curleys wife regrets marrying her husband and strives for attention by flirting with the workers on the ranch. Got kinda used to each other after a little while. (40) George takes care of Lennie because Lennie is his friend; George does not have to, but he wants to. When Slim asks George where Lennie might be, George tells Slim Lennie would have gone south (knowing all along that the little pool is north of the ranch). On what page did Curley say he wanted to shoot Lennie in the guts in Of Mice and Men? Lennie would not fare well in a prison setting, nor would he be able to defend himself if Curley or the other men attempted to hurt him. In the John Steinbeck novel of Mice and Men, everyone is lonely and will try or do anything to stop being lonely. Wiki User. From the beginning of the novella, Steinbeck foreshadows that Lennie will accidentally kill Curleys wife while trying to stroke her hair. Is Lennie guilty of killing Curleys wife? Who is Katy mixon body double eastbound and down season 1 finale? After Lennie kills Curley's wife, George shoots him in the back of the head to protect him from what would have been a horrible death at the hands of Curley and the other men. What are the 4 major sources of law in Zimbabwe. The death of Curley's wife comes as a tragic result of Lennie's ignorance of his strength. When looked at more in depth, Curleys Wife can be seen as a victimized character. Hearing the horseshoe game outside, he understands that someone will come in sooner or later and discover the bad thing he has done. What does curley's wife tell Lennie about her past? Indeed, the gentle giant's final downfall is caused because of the vain wife. Lennie repeats George's instructions that he is not to talk to her. She believes that there is both a lack of reason to truly hate this woman, and the undeniable urge to do so. I myself find Curley 's wife to be a bit misunderstood. Both of them start to talk, and Curley's wife launches into a discussion of her own failed dreams. Worried that George will find out and won't let him tend the rabbits, Lennie buries the dead pup in the hay and says that he will claim to have found it dead. Why does Curley's wife get angry when Lennie tells her that George said he shouldn't talk to her? curley's wife tells Lennie that "You are nuts , but you kinda nice fella". To be honest I hate her. He attacks Lennie, but Lennie is so strong that he crushes Curley's hand. Lennie is physically very strong (so his name is ironic), but cannot control himself, leading to escalating acts of accidental violence through the book. When Lennie first sees Curley's Wife, he comments that she is pretty, or "purty." and that times women were treted not as they are treated now .She bookmarked pages associated with this title. Log in here. How does George feel after killing Lennie? Lennie's innocence is what originally draws Curley's wife to him, but his strength will be her downfall. Curley's wife angrily asks him why he is so obsessed with rabbits, and Lennie thoughtfully replies that he likes to pet nice things. People who are murdered should not get the blame for the killer's actions when not due. Curley is so enraged at his wife's supposed infidelity that he runs off, focusing his anger on Lennie. But my ol lady wouldn 't, Tart, Tramp, trouble, Bitch, are just some of the names given to Curley 's wife, who is never given a name in the entire book. The death of Curley's wife comes as a tragic result of Lennie's ignorance of his strength. In Of Mice and Men, George feels anguish after killing Lennie, but he knows that killing Lennie was the most humane thing to do. Curleys wife explains that she hates Curley because he spends all his time sayin what hes gonna do to guys he dont like, and her marital dissatisfaction manifests as flirtatiousness with the other men on the ranch. Curley immediately blames Lennie, saying he will go for his shotgun and shoot Lennie in the guts. George and Candy call her by other names such as "jailbait" or "tart." She wears too much makeup and dresses like a "whore" with red fingernails and red shoes with ostrich feathers. For example, in Of Mice and Men George tells Lennie, No, Lennie. The person most responsible for Lennies death is George. As Lenny sits in the barn staring at the dead pup he did not mean to kill, Curleys wife comes in and sympathises with Lenny. Once Curley sees his dead wife, he says he will shoot Lennie in the guts. Curley's wife wanted to be an actress and she's lonely because Curley does not pay attention to her. "You are nuts , but you kinda nice Before he knows it, he has broken her neck. eNotes.com will help you with any book or any question. This quote shows that George is killing Lennie for Lennies own good. But then he uncovers the pup and strokes it again, realizing that George will know he killed it because George always knows and Lennie won't get to tend the rabbits.

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