Curley

Curley is the big bully in the novel. The fact that he is the boss's son gives him a sense of authority. His aggressiveness is intimidating towards his fellow workers and his wife. He assumes a higher status than them because of his father and has a pugnacious air about him which is a result of his insecurity, although he appears confident on the outside. This is evident when he picks a fight with Lennie because he is jealous of his size.

Curley is untrustworthy of his wife and neglects her. She is frightened of him and tries to avoid him. He has no good relationships with the workers because he is better than them and he makes no effort to be kind to anyone.

Curley is a small man who is "handy with his fist". He wears high-heeled boots like the boss, giving him a sense of authority. He wears a work glove filled with vaseline on his left hand because he is "keepin that hand soft for his wife".

Curley contributes to the theme of 'being alone', as in when Carson shoots Candy's dog- Curley is jealous of the relationship between Lennie and George and when Lennie kills Curley doesn't think twice about going out to kill Lennie.

Curley represents the rest of the world ie. he fails to acknowlegde or appreciate the importance of friendship/companionship and develops a distaste for the people who are in such circumstances. '"We travel together," said George coldly. "Oh, so it's that way."'

Comment: Physical apperance Technique: Imagery Explanation: Curley is a small man which is why he is always jelous of Lennie's size. He wears high-heeled boots which the boss also wears and is different from all the other workers. This creates the feeling that he has alot of authority and he is better than everyone else. Evidence: "Like the boss, he wore high-heeled boots"

Comment: Authoritative Technique: Explanation: Because he is the boss's son he has alot of authority which gives him cofidence. This reflects in the way he dresses. This also makes him intimidating to his fellow workers as he holds so much power over them. Evidence:" Curley stepped gingerly close to him. You the new guys the old man was waitin' for?"

Comment: 'A bully' Technique: Explanation: Curley is short temptered, so he will get aggressive sometimes for no good reason at all. He is a troublemaker, which makes other workers scared of him; people try to aviod him.The reason he is such a bully is that he knows he has so much power over them and he thinks he is better than everyone else, so he can treat them how he wants. Evidence: " Come on, ya big bastard. Get up on your feet... i'll show ya who's yella"

Characteristic: Envious Technique: Discussion: Curley is jealous of the relationship between George and Lennie, Lennie because he is a big guy, also the way his wife acts around the other men. Evidence: "He hate big guys... kind of like he's mad at 'em because he ain't a big guy."

Characteristic: Pugnacious Discussion: He's always looking for a fight and is very short tempered. He is very aggressive and wants to show everyone how tough he is - as to emphasize his assumed higher status on the farm. Evidence:
 * 'Curley stared levelly at him. "Well, nex' time you answer when you're spoken to."'
 * "Look Lennie...I'm scared. You gonna have trouble with that Curley guy. I seen that kind before..."