By fighting bigger men, he is in a win-win situation: if he
loses a fight, it's because he's smaller; if he wins a fight, he
is praised for beating someone bigger than him
Fights because he feels self-conscious, like he is defined
by his appearance as a 'little fella' as his wife and Crooks are defined by theirs
Nota:
"Curley's like a lot of little guys.He hates big guys. He's all a time picking scraps with big guys. Kind of like he's mad at 'em because he ain't a big guy." (Candy)
Too scared to pick a fight with Slim or Carlson, and knows he
would be hated for attacking old Candy, so he uses
defenceless, child-like Lennie as someone to take out his
frustration on, he knows Lennie's not smart enough to fight back
Aggressive/ violent
Instantly is aggressive towards Lennie as soon as
he meets him, always eager to fight
Nota:
"His eyes passed over the new men and he stopped. 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."
Isn't remorseful about his wife's death, just
wants an excuse for revenge on Lennie.
Neither him nor Carlson understand how painful it was for George to kill
Lennie, or the complexities of their relationship. He has no sensitivity
The baddie
Exploits his situation as the boss's son, expects
to be treated in a superior way to the others
Has a loveless relationship with his wife, uses her
to exert his power, that he has a woman and the
other men don't. Doesn't feel remorse when she
dies, only wants an excuse for revenge on Lennie
So mean, even his wife doesn't like him
Nota:
"I don't like Curley. He ain't a nice fella." (Curley's wife)
Always wants to fight Lennie,
who the reader already loves
Put in his place by Slim, the ranch's hero
Expects respect and leadership because
he is the boss's son, but doesn't get it;
Slim is the ranch men's leader