Does Steinbeck condemn Curley's wife, or sympathize with her?

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Does Steinbeck condemn Curley’s wife, or does he sympathise with her? Throughout the 1930’s in California, where and when the novel “of mice and men” was set, women were frequently suppressed and treated as objects. They were put down and often abused. They were forced to do anything their husband says otherwise they were condemned by the family and general public. Several of these issues are reflected in the character of Curly’s wife. This character is portrayed in many different ways in the different stages of her life. This character is nameless and is only ever referred to as ‘Curley’s wife’. I think this may mean that she is not a major part and as a woman is thought of as insignificant and maybe Steinbeck feels that it is not necessary to name her as it was viewed at the time as she does not need or deserve one. Immediately as you meet Curley’s wife, she is portrayed as a common tart. ‘ “she has the eye”... “a tart”’ are some of candy’s view which he refers to in chapter two. So, as soon as George and Lennie met he they thought of her in this way not knowing...

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