Question

Both Curleys wife and Lizabeth are a product of the same historical period, the Great Depression. Both of them also behave similarly, craving a sense of belonging while behaving in an often confusing and contradicting manner. Is there a connection between the historical setting and their behavior? Examine both characters in a paragraph 300-400 words, responding to these questions with supporting evidence from both texts.

Answer 1

Both Curley's wife and Lizabeth exhibit a craving for belonging and behave in contradictory ways, which can be attributed to the historical setting of the Great Depression.

Step-by-step explanation:

Both Curley's wife in 'Of Mice and Men' and Lizabeth in 'Marigolds' exhibit similar behaviors and a craving for belonging, which can be connected to the historical setting of the Great Depression. During this time, many people faced economic hardship and a lack of social support. This led to a sense of isolation and desperation, causing individuals to behave in contradictory ways as they sought connection and security.

Curley's wife, as the only woman on the ranch, yearns for attention and companionship. However, because of societal norms and the marginalization of women, she is often misunderstood and judged by the other men. This leads to her desperate and sometimes flir_tatious behavior, as she tries to find acceptance and escape her loneliness.

Lizabeth, in 'Marigolds,' also experiences the effects of the Great Depression. Her family is struggling financially, and she witnesses her parents' constant arguments and the frustration of poverty. In response to this instability, she acts out and joins her brother in destroying Mrs. Lottie's marigolds. However, she later regrets her actions and feels a sense of guilt and empathy towards Mrs. Lottie, realizing the shared experience of hardship.