Defensive Anger

Troublesome people can be found anywhere. They are the type of people that others will pointedly avoid to lessen their problems. When such instigators cannot be dodged, they must be skillfully dealt with in a way that diffuses approaching calamity. Curley of Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men is one of these characters. Through his aggressive, unchanging personality, Curley's insecurities are revealed which drive him in his hot-tempered battle for superiority.

Curley's strong aggression is unveiled the moment he makes his first appearance. His first glance at Lennie is "calculating and pugnacious". Curley commands the room, daring someone to step out of line. He speaks to Lennie with a superior, harsh tone, itching for a reason to fight. Curley's poor attitude and eagerness to fight cause him to have the reputation of an "angry little man" who "just don't give a d*mn". It's clear to everyone that he is trouble. People want to avoid Curley because he has a short fuse and to ruffle his feathers would lead to a less than satisfactory end.

Without wavering in his personality, Curley is rather static, stubborn. Regardless of the outcome, Curley will "alla time" choose to "[pick] scraps with big guys". Curley is willing to overlook the any of the injuries he sustains in the process. What is important to Curley is the feeling of accomplishment he obtains after a fight. Angry about his broken hand, he is more than happy for an excuse to "shoot the guts out that big bastard". Curley is not swayed by the death of his wife but is instead given a reason to hurt Lennie. Curley wants revenge and he will not give up his chance in order to stay with his wife's dead body. 

Curley's more prominent characteristics are molded by his insecurities. Curley is always jittery when it comes to his wife who seems like "she'd clear out for twenty bucks". He is always looking for her. He is not fully convinced of her trustworthiness and with good reason. Curley has not know his wife for very long and she is never around when he wants her. Much of the time, Curley will turn to violence to ease his agitation. When he does fight, "he don't take no chances". Curley will pick out the larger men, which he has been observing beforehand, looking for weaknesses such as the fear he ambitiously hopes to root into others. Knowing that he looks more impressive in the eyes of others whether he wins or losses in a fight against someone much larger than him, he has not the slightest of worries.

Curley's violent behavior labels him as unwanted among the workers on the ranch, although it's not for the reason he hopes for. While he hopes to state his dominance, Curley is in reality building up an animosity which is directed towards himself, adding to it with his single-minded need to fight which springs from his small stature. Curley shows that, while it may not necessarily be justified, the tempers of those so ill-adjusted to socializing with others can actually spring from something. These people may be so disagreeable due to some type of insecurity or experience. It comes from something deeper than their being a "bad" person. These people still have characteristics that a "good" person has, they just may not always exhibit those traits quite as often.