How Is Curley Presented In Of Mice And Men

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Curley is characterized as egotistic in Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. Upon arriving at the ranch for their new occupations, George and Lennie are introduced to their new homes by an experienced worker there. Interrupting their conversation at a bunkhouse, a man named Curley enters and immediately verbally targets Lennie, despite this being his first time meeting him. After Curley leaves, the old man explains that Curley is boss of the ranch’s son, and has a history with larger-sized people due to being a lightweight fighter: “‘Well...tell you what. 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’” (Steinbeck 26). The old man elaborates that Curley has an ongoing grudge on people bigger than him since they can usually defeat him in a fight due to his smaller stature. …show more content…

This logic is obviously flawed and his absurd tactics to fight people who are naturally more sizable, a general characteristic, has the intent instead to show off or internally feel accomplished. Curley is additionally notorious for his the strategy behind his arrogance, as the old man elaborates on Curley’s actions at the ranch. Considering Curley’s tiny size in comparison to the incredibly bulky Lennie, George states that Lennie could easily fight off Curley if he ever tried to cause trouble with him. The old man counters his point, disclosing that Curley has a method to his hubris. Illustrating how Curley operates, the old man lists the possibilities of Curley fighting another man: “‘S'pose Curley jumps a big guy an’ licks him. Ever’body says what a game guy Curley

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