Of Mice and Women

Based on the quotes in the novel, what is Steinbeck’s perspective upon women?

In Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck tells of the lives of American workers during the Great Depression. A motif is any recurring element that has symbolic significance in a story. A motif that Steinbeck continuously implements throughout the story is the motif of women. Throughout history, sexism has been a controversial issue. In certain ways it is still present in today’s society. Steinbeck distinctly voices his opinion on women in many instances in the story. In the novel Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck exemplifies the motif of women through his characterization and use of stereotypes.

The embodiment of women is illustrated through Curley’s wife. She is the most prominent female character in the story. Despite her frequent appearance, she is nameless. She is referred to as “Curley’s wife” the entire time. A name means to have an identity and having importance. This explains Steinbeck’s view on women showing that they lack importance. In the story it says, “Did you see that girl? You mean Curley’s girl?”(p.55) The evidence appears to suggest that women are considered possessions.

Not only are women portrayed as possessions, they are also considered troublemakers and seductresses. When Lennie and George worked on a farm in Weed, they had to flee due to Lennie’s wrongdoing. A woman screamed and said Lennie was about to rape her. This attracted a mob to come kill Lennie because he grabbed her red dress. However, Lennie had no intentions with the woman, he was only attracted to her dress. As a result of her exaggerated reaction, Lennie received trouble for it. In the novel it says, “Well, the girl rabbits in an’ tells the law she been raped.” “He just scared her. I’d be scared too if he grabbed me. But he never hurt her. He jus’ wanted to touch that red dress.” (p.42) The available evidence shows that someone else received trouble for a woman’s wrongdoing. The story also says, “cause she’s a rattrap if I ever seen one.” (p.54) This evidence further illustrates that women cause traps and and cause trouble.

Women are also depicted as seductresses. Curley’s wife is the main example of this. In the beginning of the story, it says, “a cotton house dress and red mules, on the insteps of which were little bouquets of red ostrich feathers.” (p.31) The color red most likely connotes the idea of danger and love. This in turn meaning, her sexual attraction. Also in the story, Curley’s wife often stops by to talk to the men on the ranch. The story says, “she puts her hands behind her back and leans against the door frame so that her body is thrown forward.” (p.31) This shows that Curley’s wife always seems to attract all the men’s attention despite being married.

Further, based on the two incidents with Curley’s wife and the woman on the ranch in Weed, women are a negative influence on the main characters in this story. Due to Lennie’s disability, his child-like mind can’t understand the idea of sexual attraction, which in turn frightens the women. George often has to protect Lennie from women. In the story, it says, “Don’t you even take a look at that bitch. I don’t care what she says and what she does. I seen ’em poison before, but I never seen no piece of jail bait worse than her. You leave her be. (p.30) This evidence shows that George constantly warning Lennie about women suggests women are troublesome.

In the novel Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck exemplifies the motif of women through his characterization and use of stereotypes. Ultimately, Steinbeck’s portrayal of women is illustrated through female characters such as Curley’s wife and the woman from Weed. Steinbeck’s perspective on women is that they are possessions, they are troublesome, and they are distractions.