To wonder about Curley's wife

[Springheeled]

More to wonder whether Steinbeck is exploring sexism only to end up being actually sexist?
This is my billionth year of Of Mice and Men but it's the first one where I've thought Steinbeck is pandering to the old Madonna/ whore syndrome rather than exploring it. Maybe I've just had a funny year.

I always felt very sorry for her. I worked in a school as a TA and the book was being taught to yr9. The teacher read her as a manipulative stupid bimbo who brought it on herself and the pupils (very much being led) agreed. So much so, i actually mentioned to the teacher and said i thought she was very much a victim of poverty and circumstance. The bit in the book (memory is hazy now) about some guy wanting her for movies was the saddest part of the book for me. I just felt the crushing disappointment of going nowhere and having dreams with no possibility of ever achieving them. Then having to be married to someone awful because there were no other options. She was just using the only ability and power she had in her life which was teasing men. It seemed very immature and unhappy - which i think she must have been.

I don't like the part where Steinbeck starts telling the reader about her body either, it is all tell and no show and it's like an overcompensation. Plus I think it objectifies her even more and it's worse because this time it's Steinbeck doing it. And all that underneath the make up she was pretty sweet and young stuff- ugh. Poor old Curley's wife!

Thank you for reminding me about this book. I am going to read it again.

On a much more shallow level, Steinbeck was pretty sexy in hos younger days...