Gender Roles and Women's Representation in the 1930s

Expected role of women in 1930s America

Women were expected to be wives, mothers, and homemakers. The ideal woman was submissive, modest, and focused on family life.

Impact of the Great Depression on gender roles

During the Depression, many men lost their jobs and women were sometimes forced into work. This challenged traditional gender roles and created social tensions.

Curley's wife's lack of a name in Of Mice and Men

Her lack of a name symbolizes her lack of identity and how women were seen as possessions or secondary to men.

Curley's wife as both victim and threat

She's a victim of loneliness and sexism but also uses her limited power (especially over Crooks, Candy, and Lennie) to assert dominance.

Representation of women in 1930s American culture and media

Women were often portrayed as temptresses, housewives, or objects of male desire. Rarely were they shown as independent or complex characters.

Meaning of the phrase 'I'm not a tart' regarding Curley's wife

It implies that she's judged unfairly by others and is trying to assert that she's more than just a sexualized figure.

Steinbeck's critique of attitudes towards women in the novel

He shows how sexist attitudes isolate and dehumanize Curley's wife, ultimately contributing to her tragic fate.

Real-life influences on Steinbeck's portrayal of Curley's wife

Steinbeck's work reflects 1930s attitudes and his awareness of how women were misunderstood and mistreated, especially in rural settings.

Influence of the novel's setting on gender dynamics

The ranch is a hyper-masculine space where women are outsiders and seen as distractions or dangers.

Deeper theme highlighted by Curley's wife's death

Her death shows how deeply rooted loneliness, prejudice, and isolation are in the novel's world—especially for marginalized characters.