Curley is introduced as a thin, young man with brown hair and eyes who wears work gloves and high-heeled boots. He stops to confront the new ranch hands, George and Lennie, sizing them up aggressively with bent elbows and clenched fists. Lennie seems nervous under Curley's hostile glare. Curley demands Lennie answer him, and though George says Lennie doesn't have to, Curley warns Lennie to answer next time he is spoken to. In the novel, violence and hostility stem from economic hardship and social tensions. Racism leads to fights, while those in power like Curley can provoke violence for pleasure or status. Characters like Carlson have no
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Curley Question and notes
1. Read the passage below and answer part (a) and part (b).
Part (a) How does Steinbeck present the character of Curley in this extract? Refer closely to
the passage in your answer.
Part (b) In the novel as a whole, how are violence and hostility portrayed? How do these link
to the economic and social conditions of 1930s America?
At that moment a young man came into the bunk house; a thin young man with a brown face, with
brown eyes and a head of tightly curled hair. He wore a work glove on his left hand, and, like the boss,
he wore high-heeled boots. Seen my old man? he asked.
The swamper said He was here jus a minute ago, Curley. Went over to the cook house, I think.
Ill try to catch him, said Curley. His eyes passed over the new men and he stopped. He glanced coldly
at George and then at Lennie. His arms gradually bent at the elbows and his hands closed into fists. He
stiffened and went into a slight crouch. His glance was at once calculating and pugnacious. Lennie
squirmed under the look and shifted his feet nervously. Curley stepped gingerly close to him. You the
new guys the old man was waitin for?
We just come in, said George
Let the big guy talk
Lennie twisted with embarrassment.
George said, Spose he dont want to talk?
Curley lashed his body around. By Christ, hes gotta talk when hes spoke to. What the hell are you
getting into it for?
We travel together, said George coldly.
Oh so its that way
George was tense and motionless. Yeah its that way.
Lennie was looking helplessly to George for instruction.
An you wont let the big guy talk, is that it?
He can talk if he wants to tell you anything. He nodded slightly at Lennie.
We jus come in said Lennie softly.
Curley stared levelly at him. Well, nex time you answer when youre spoke to. He turned toward the
door and walked out, and his elbows were still bent out a little.
2. At that moment a young man came into the bunk house; a thin young man with a brown face, with
brown eyes and a head of tightly curled hair. He wore a work glove on his left hand, and, like the boss,
he wore high-heeled boots. Seen my old man? he asked.
The swamper said He was here jus a minute ago, Curley. Went over to the cook house, I think.
Ill try to catch him, said Curley. His eyes passed over the new men and he stopped. He glanced coldly
at George and then at Lennie. His arms gradually bent at the elbows and his hands closed into fists. He
stiffened and went into a slight crouch. His glance was at once calculating and pugnacious. Lennie
squirmed under the look and shifted his feet nervously. Curley stepped gingerly close to him. You the
new guys the old man was waitin for?
We just come in, said George
Let the big guy talk
Lennie twisted with embarrassment.
George said, Spose he dont want to talk?
Curley lashed his body around. By Christ, hes gotta talk when hes spoke to. What the hell are you
getting into it for?
We travel together, said George coldly.
Oh so its that way
George was tense and motionless. Yeah its that way.
Lennie was looking helplessly to George for instruction.
An you wont let the big guy talk, is that it?
He can talk if he wants to tell you anything. He nodded slightly at Lennie.
We jus come in said Lennie softly.
Curley stared levelly at him. Well, nex time you answer when youre spoke to. He turned toward the
door and walked out, and his elbows were still bent out a little.
3. Part B points you could mention: VIOLENCE & HOSTILITY
Violence is referred to when Crooks is first mentioned as being allowed in the mens
bunkhouse at Christmas but had to fight one of the men If he coulda used his feet, Smitty says
he woulda killed the nigger. Demonstrates the casual racism of the times.
Candy explains how Curley picks on bigger guys but whether he wins or loses, he comes off as
the hero. Seems like Curley aint givin nobody a chance. Steinbeck presents the win-win
situation that those in positions of power exercised, whilst the underdog can never win.
Carlson is an aggressive, domineering and unsympathetic character representing the type of
man who has no roots, no friendships. He typifies the men of the depression era who moved
from place to place in search of work, never getting close to people, unable to empathise with
the friendship that George and Lennie share or even that of Candy and his dog. He is quick to
seek retribution and join a search party for Lennie.
There is hostility shown towards Curleys wife by the men jail bait tramp typical of the
double standard at the time shown towards women perceived as easy whereas the men,
married Curley included, openly visit the brothels.
Curleys wife displays her cruel hostility towards Crooks when she threatens I could get you
strung up on a tree so easy it aint even funny. as a woman, the only person over whom she
has more status, is Crooks.
Crooks is hostile towards the white men, bitter at how he aint wanted in their room.
Curleys rage towards Lennie on discovering his wifes body is probably more to do with
needing revenge for his humiliation and injured hand, than avenging her death. He intends to
shoot the guts outta that big bastard myself a slow painful death.
Conversely, the violent death of Lennie is shown as an act of mercy, with George deeply upset
at what he does. his hand shook violently and he speaks shakily but ensures Lennie dies
with the Dream on his mind.