question icon

Why isn’t Curley’s wife’s name ever revealed?

Category: Literature
Explanation:

Curley's wife's name is never revealed in John Steinbeck's novella "Of Mice and Men" as a deliberate narrative choice that serves multiple purposes. Primarily, her anonymity symbolizes the prevailing gender inequality and marginalization of women during the Great Depression era, reducing her to merely a possession of her husband. By denying her an individual identity, Steinbeck highlights the dehumanization of women in that society, emphasizing their lack of agency and independence. Moreover, this anonymity adds to the sense of isolation and loneliness experienced by many characters, particularly Curley's wife herself, who craves attention and companionship. Overall, this literary device deepens the themes of the story and underscores the broader social issues that the novella explores.

Was this helpful? star star star star star No votes.
Cite this page

Why isn’t Curley’s wife’s name ever revealed?. (2023, Jul 24). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/qa/literature/why-isn-t-curley-s-wife-s-name-ever-revealed

Answered by StudyMoose
One of our experts proficient in Literature provided the explanation to this question. Feel free to rate the answer and let us know if you liked it.
Live chat  with support 24/7

👋 Hi! I’m your smart assistant Amy!

Don’t know where to start? Type your requirements and I’ll connect you to an academic expert within 3 minutes.

get help with your assignment