In what ways do Steinbeck and the poets present relationships inOf Mice and Men/ the relationship poem?

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John Steinbeck's American novel Of Mice and Men was first published during the height of the Great Depression in 1937, the ranch serves as a microcosm in Economic depression and uses themes of loneliness dreams and reality; offering both similar and contrasting views. I will be exploring the relationship of the characters as they can be both pleasant and complex some may even be destructive this is presented through the main protagonists, George and Lennie, and others such as Curley and Curley's wife, however not in a direct manner by comparing both of the relationships to the AQA relationship poems.

On the ranch there is a notorious female merely referred to as ‘Curley’s Wife’ This could be interpreted in many ways it could be expressing how insignificant she is in contrast to the men on the ranch, which shows the juxtaposition of status and sex during the great depression. Relatively John Steinback may be raising awareness of misogynistic views which were present in 1937 referring to how women were oppressed and seen as inferior. Alternatively, her lack of identity demotes her belittling status she is a possession opposed to being a woman with her own name this is shown through the loss of individuality as she is associated with her husband curley.
This is similar to the poem 'The Farmers Bride' written by Charlotte Mew the title also suggest a lack of identity and may even be interpreted as a loss of integrity and uniqueness, which Curleys Wife strives to recover with her flamboyant and exotic choice of clothing. In the poem it says ' but there's more to do at harvest time then bide and woo.' this suggests that the farmer pays his bride a lack of attention this shows the absence of commitment, the mention of harvesting su...

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...rother being six . It is interesting that the speaker looks up to his friend although he's just a year old just like his brother looks up to him this suggest age is significant and defines the older brother to get away from the younger brother they 'chased Olympic Gold' this implies they ran as fast as they could away from the younger brother. Looking back could be a reference to time that may have been the breaking point of their relationship the closing lie repeats the element of distance and being 'unable to close the distance I'd set into motion' this could be a metaphoric reference to the relationship between the brothers since the event. It is apparent that the speaker feel a sense of shame and guilt for the breakdown of trust which could also be implied by the lack of rhyme. The 'coin' could be a reference to the betrayal of Judas in the biblical story.

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