Curley's Power

Does Steinbeck suggest that power comes from the oppression of others?

“ the measure of a man is what he does with power” Playto

As can be seen in the book of mice and men, Steinbecks characters posses power but mainly at the expense of others and with the oppressing they experienced. Playtos quote which relates to the readers perception of the characters when they obtain there power. throughout the novel power is only evident when one is oppress and when the oppressor becomes the force of power. Steinbeck throughout the characters of George, Lennie, Curley, Crooks and Curleys wife Portrays how power is obtained through oppression but also that the oppressed can optain power themselves by inflicting there oppression on others.

It is not
Curley has the tendency to pick fights especially with people who are much more powerful then he is. He tries to oppress them by his masculinity. Curley is married to a very attractive woman, she is his possession rather then his partner. Steinbeck also adds to his demeaning attitude by not giving her a proper name. Curley has power over her and oppresses her by not letting her socialise with the others on the ranch. Although it seems he does love her “well i’ll tell ya what - Curley says he's keeping that hand soft for his wife” this shows he does make sacrifices but he quickly forgets his love when he attendees the local “whore house” every weekend. Although he oppresses her it does give her power or seeks satisfaction through other
The economy in this text does not allow for the working class to rise above there economic standing. The economic super powers of that time constantly lead everyone for there money. It also required that people would have to work very hard to earn a basic wage. For example George and Lennie have aspired to one day own a farm. There dreams are put on hold due to the comic condition of there country. With this economic power of the white man the novel also portrays the power white man had over the coloured men of that time. Although many white men where not wealthy they still where a step above being a coloured person. For many white men they felt because of this they had power over the lives of coloured people. Aside from the racial power evident in the novel Steinbeck also shows the negative associated with power over another. This can be seen in the relationship between Lennie and Crooks. While also we see that George has quite an amount of power over Lennie and this ultimately leads to Lennie’s demise.

Although the majority of novel deals with power as a negative it also highlights the positive. Steinbeck through the character of Curley’s wife shows us the power of the female sexuality and how it can overpower a dominant male. Although Curley’s wife has the power to seduce many men it also leaves her in a venerable position with men who have no respect for her. The theme of companionship