Of Mice and Men

Help on this question based on Curley, from of mice and men

At that moment a young man came into the bunkhouse; a thin young man with a brown face, with brown eyes and a head of tightly curled hair. He wore a work glove on his left hand, and like the boss, he wore high-heeled boots. ‘Seen my old man?’ he asked. The swamper said: ‘He was here jus’ a minute ago, Curley. Went over to the cookhouse, I think.’ ‘I’ll try to catch him,’ said Curley. His eyes passed over the new men and he stopped. He glanced coldly at George and then at Lennie. His arms gradually bent at the elbows and his hands closed into fists. He stiffened and went into a slight crouch. His glance was at once calculating and pugnacious. Lennie squirmed under the look and shifted his feet nervously. Curley stepped gingerly close to him. ‘You the new guys the old man was waitin’ for?’ ‘We just come in,’ said George. ‘Let the big guy talk.’ Lennie twisted with embarrassment. George said: ‘S’pose he don’t want to talk?’ Curley lashed his body around. ‘By Christ, he’s gotta talk when he’s spoke to. What the hell are you gettin’ into it for?’ ‘We travel together,’ said George coldly. ‘Oh, so it’s that way.’ George was tense and motionless. ‘Yeah, it’s that way.’ Lennie was looking helplessly to George for instruction. ‘An’ you won’t let the big guy talk, is that it?’ ‘He can talk if he want to tell you anything.’ He nodded slightly to Lennie. ‘We jus’ come in,’ said Lennie softly. Curley stared levelly at him. ‘Well, nex’ time you answer when you’re spoke to.’ He turned towards the door and walked out, and his elbows were still bent out a little.

 

 

Part (a)

(a) How does the writer use details in this passage to present Curley?

and then Part (b)

(b) How important is Curley in the novel and how do the other characters treat him? In Part (b) write about:

 The role Curley has on the ranch and in the story

 what the other characters say and do to Curley

 

Asked by
Last updated by Aslan
Answers 1
Add Yours

Curley is described by his short stature and his aggressive manner. He clearly has issues of inadequacy about his size. He is really a bully who will attack people he knows he can intimidate. Lennie is a big guy but mentally challenged. Lennie becomes the perfect target for Curley. 

*please submit each of your questions one at a time. Thanks!