How Does Steinbeck Present Curley's Wife

Steinbeck uses the fact that Curley’s wife is the only female of the ranch to post her as a threat to the male ranch workers. When she is first introduced it isn’t pleasant. Candy starts of by saying ‘I seen her give slim the eye’ this instantly gives the reader an idea she is a bit flirtatious. He then continues to say ‘Well, I think Curley’s married…a tart.’ This gives the reader a view of her characteristics and we are put off by them. When we finally meet Curley’s wife for the first time she is in the barn doorway with Lennie and George. ‘A girl was stood in the doorway. She had full, rouged lips and wide-spaced eyes, heavily made up. Her fingernails were red. Her hair hung in little rolled clusters, like sausages. She wore a cotton
George is instantly put off by her presence and tries to avoid her. He shows no attention towards her, which is what she is after and does not acknowledge her. George uses a snappy tone of voice to reply to her. ‘George said brusquely “Well, he ain’t now.”’ This shows he is not interested in her and doesn’t want to engage into a conversation with her. Lennie on the other hand is intrigued by her existence and cannot take his eyes of her. ‘Lennie’s eyes moved down over her body.’ This can easily cause trouble and threaten Lennie’s career. He is already taking notice of Curley’s wife, and as we have previously noticed when Lennie is intrigued in something he doesn’t give up. For example the Lady in leads in the red dress and also the mice. Taking all things into consideration, the colour red seems to be common in the story. We are able to see that something may go wrong involving Lennie and Curley’s wife. This could post as a threat to Lennie, as if something were to happen to Curley’s wife, Curley would get involved and Lennie would be in serious trouble. It could also threaten George’s career as Lennie needs George. George and Lennie are close and this could indicate if Lennie had to go George would also go to protect
When Curley’s wife walks into Crookes room, most of the males are accompanying Crooks. Curley’s wife first starts by saying about the male occupants are towards her. ‘If I catch any one man, and he’s alone, I get along fine with him. But just let two of the guys get together an’ you won’t talk.’ She is implying she gets attention normally, but the males are scared to show attraction towards her when they are together because it could jeopardise their status on the Ranch or their job. Moving on, Curley’s wife uses racial context as an attempt to threaten Crookes. She called him a , this could off come across as highly offensive and daring, because Crookes had probably been called that before, he let it slip. Again this is proof of the certain grouping during the 1930’s. Curley's wife threatened to have Crooks lynched because he wasn't being polite and asked her to leave his room because he didn’t want trouble. Using lynched could off made him scared because of his class. He would already have a reputation and could lose his job. She fiercely said "you know what I could do", making fear for his life. Again another act of aggression that could ruin any chance of his