How does Curley show power?

2 years ago

6 minutes

Curley is a very aggressive and violent character. He is the Boss’s son and takes advantage of the power that he has over the other men on the ranch to treat them cruelly and pick fights. He is physically small and so is resentful of bigger men and picks a fight with Lennie because of this.

Curley is a character in John Steinbeck’s novel “Of Mice and Men”. Curley is the son of the ranch owner and he is described as a small man with a belligerent and aggressive personality. Curley demonstrates his power in several ways throughout the novel:

1. Physical aggression: Curley is quick to pick fights with other men on the ranch, especially those who he perceives as weaker than him. He uses his physical strength to intimidate others and assert his dominance.

2. Verbal aggression: Curley is also verbally aggressive, using insults and threats to assert his power over others. He often belittles and demeans the other men on the ranch, especially Lennie and George.

3. Position of authority: As the son of the ranch owner, Curley has a position of authority on the ranch. He uses this position to boss around the other men and make them do his bidding.

4. Possession of a weapon: Curley carries a gun with him at all times, which gives him a sense of power and control over others. The other men on the ranch are afraid of him because of this.

Overall, Curley’s power is based on his physical strength, his position of authority, and his aggressive personality. He uses these traits to assert his dominance over others and make them feel inferior to him.

How does Curley use his power?

Curley abuses his power by flaunting his dominance and his actions negatively affect other people on the ranch. For instance, when George and Lennie just arrived at the ranch, Curley says to Lennie when Lennie doesn’t talk, “Well, nex’ time you answer when you’re spoke to” (26).

Curley uses his power in several ways throughout the novel “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck:

1. Physical aggression: Curley is a small man, but he is quick to pick fights with other men on the ranch. He uses his physical strength to intimidate others and assert his dominance. For example, he picks a fight with Lennie and beats him up.

3. Position of authority: As the son of the ranch owner, Curley has a position of authority on the ranch. He uses this position to boss around the other men and make them do his bidding. For example, he orders the other men to search for his wife when she goes missing.

4. Possession of a weapon: Curley carries a gun with him at all times, which gives him a sense of power and control over others. The other men on the ranch are afraid of him because of this.

Overall, Curley uses his power to assert his dominance over others and make them feel inferior to him. He is aggressive and controlling, and he uses his position of authority and possession of a weapon to intimidate others.

How does Curley have power in Of Mice and Men?

The working class is stronger (represented by Lennie) and has more moral authority (embodied in Slim), but landowners like Curley maintain their dominance by creating conditions of fear and isolation for their workers.

Curley has power in “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck in several ways:

1. Position of authority: Curley is the son of the ranch owner, which gives him a position of authority on the ranch. He uses this position to boss around the other men and make them do his bidding.

2. Physical strength: Although Curley is a small man, he is quick to pick fights with other men on the ranch. He uses his physical strength to intimidate others and assert his dominance.

3. Verbal aggression: Curley is also verbally aggressive, using insults and threats to assert his power over others. He often belittles and demeans the other men on the ranch, especially Lennie and George.

4. Possession of a weapon: Curley carries a gun with him at all times, which gives him a sense of power and control over others. The other men on the ranch are afraid of him because of this.

Overall, Curley’s power is based on his position of authority, physical strength, verbal aggression, and possession of a weapon. He uses these traits to assert his dominance over others and make them feel inferior to him.

What does this reveal about Curley’s need for power?

Steinbeck creates an aggressive tone by detailed how Curley shifts his stance to get ready to attack George and Lennie. This reveals that Curley believes he has power because he is the boss’s son and foreshadows a fight between George, Curley, and Lennie.

What does Curley symbolize?

Curley is symbolic of “small” people who may feel inferior and overcompensate by inflating or flaunting their power and status. Crooks is symbolic of people who are discriminated against because of their race. Candy is symbolic of people who are undervalued and discriminated against because of their age.

Is Curley abusive to his wife?

Curly would abuse her, use her as bragging rights, and never spend time with his wife. Curley even had a glove filled with Vaseline so one of his hands could be soft for touching his wife. This is abusive because he talked about him and his wife’s sex life with the other ranchers.

Why does Curley wear a glove filled with Vaseline?

Curley wears a “glove fulla Vaseline” on one hand because, according to Candy, “he’s keepin’ that hand soft for his wife.” Since farm work is physical and tough on a person’s hands, the Vaseline will prevent at least one of Curley’s hands from becoming chapped and rough—something he clearly believes his wife would find …

How is Curley described?

Curley is a “thin young man with a brown face, with brown eyes and a head of tightly curled hair.” According to Candy, Curley is an amateur boxer and is always picking fights, especially with guys who are bigger than he is. Curley tries to prove his masculinity by picking fights.

Why is Curley’s name Curley?

Curley: Curley literally has curly hair. The meaning of the Old English name Curley is strong man. Steinbeck ironically chose the name Curley because Curley is strong in the ring but weak when it comes to Lennie. Whit: The name Whit means white or a small part.