Curley's Wife's Fate: The Lonely Dream

Traces the life of Curley's wife, from her dreams of stardom to her lonely marriage and her tragic death at the hands of Lennie.

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Curley's Wife's Past

The Lost Dream The Dream of Hollywood Curley's wife tells Lennie about her dream of becoming a movie star. She met a man who said he could get her into pictures, but she never heard from him. She married Curley out of desperation, and now she is trapped on the ranch. The Reality of Her Marriage She is married to a jealous, abusive man. She is isolated and lonely. The other men avoid her, fearing Curley's anger. She is a woman with no name, no identity. Her only power is her appearance, which she uses to get attention. The Sympathy for Her Character Curley's wife is often seen as a temptress, but she is also a victim. Her dream is just as fragile as George and Lennie's. She is a tragic figure, reaching out for connection in a world that refuses to see her as a person.

The Confrontation with Lennie

The Fatal Conversation The Search for Company Curley's wife enters the barn, looking for someone to talk to. She finds Lennie alone, mourning the puppy. She sits beside him and begins to talk. She tells him about her dream, her loneliness, and her frustration. She is more human here than anywhere else in the novel. The Touch of Hair She lets Lennie touch her hair, but when he holds on too tight, she panics. She screams, and Lennie shakes her, killing her. Her death is accidental, but it is the result of her own loneliness and Lennie's inability to control his strength. The Tragic End Curley's wife dies in the barn, alone. Her body is discovered by Candy. She is never given a name or a funeral. Her death is a senseless tragedy, a product of the same forces that destroy Lennie. She is a victim of the world she tried to escape.

The first day at the ranch

The third day at the ranch