Curley AnalysisCurley is ‘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’. Curley is the boss’s son. This means he is born into an important role. However, Curley is not respected. Characters such as Slim are looked up to more. Curley is never on the same page as his wife, except when he stands next to her dead body. This shows that he is destined to never have a good relationship with his wife.

Quotes‘a head of tightly curled hair.’ – His hair is tightly coiled. This represents how Curley is like a tightly coiled spring ready to burst out aggressively

‘he wore high-heeled boots.’ – He tries to assert his authority. Unlike Slim, Curley is not naturally authoritative.

"Oh, so it's that way?" – He doesn’t Understand George and Lennie’s relationship. This shows how single minded he is as he thinks that if they travel around together, they must be homosexual. This also demonstrates how lonely Curley is as he doesn’t understand relationships and friendships.

‘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.’ – Aggressive and keen to make an impression

‘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?"’ – Aggressive and doesn’t understand the relationship George and Lennie has.

“Curley's like a lot of little guys. He hates big guys. He's alla time picking scraps with big guys. Kind of like he's mad at 'em because he ain't a big guy.” – Curley is aggressive and a fighter. He is a threat to Lennie. This builds tensions.

‘Curley burst into the room excitedly. "Any you guys seen my wife?" he demanded.’ Shows he is in secure about his wife. He is also very suspicious. This is shown by how Curley says "Where the hell's Slim?" and "How long ago'd he go?"

Slim says “You come for me, an' I'll kick your God damn head off.” – Curley is scared of slim so starts on Lennie, "What the hell you laughin' at?" and "Come on, ya big bastard. Get up on your feet. No big son-of-a-bitch is gonna laugh at me. I'll show ya who's yella."

‘He stood crying, his fist lost in Lennie's paw.’ – Steinbeck shows him to be weak and a coward. Lennie is described to be the opposite by the word ‘paw’ which suggests he is Strong like a bear

‘try to get this guy canned and we'll tell ever'body, an' then will you get the laugh." "I won't tell," said Curley.’ Slim sticks up for Lennie. Curley is supposed to have authority over Slim, yet Slim tells him what to do and Curley is submissive.

"Well. I didn't mean nothing Slim. I just ast you." – He indirectly admits he is scared of Slim and is not as masculine as he pretends to be.

‘Curley came suddenly to life. "I know who done it," he cried. "That big son-of-a-bitch done it. I know he done it.’ And ‘"I'm gonna get him. I'm going for my shotgun. I'll kill the big son-of-a-bitch myself. I'll shoot 'im in the guts’ – Candy is quick to violence.