Throughout the novella, it is made clear that Curley’s wife is not accepted. This is due to the microcosm on the ranch replicating a real 1930’s society. She represents a stereotypical woman of the time that is made to be silenced on all of her opinions and thoughts, instead she must’ve spoken delicately and about feminine things.
Curley’s wife portrays an eager character, who uses her gender to allow her to speak to people. When we first hear of her, it is Candy that speaks, calling the unnamed woman a ‘tart’. When she later comes into the bunker, it is through her actions that we can see this claim strengthened by the way she presents herself.
This is especially apparent in the line “Nobody can’t blame a person for lookin’,” where she is encouraging the men to look at her, even to two strangers. This highlights how any hopes of power come solely from her sexualtiy.
