Short answer: After Curley comes looking for his wife in Chapter 3, he goes to the barn (the stable) to find her. He goes there because he is jealous and possessive and wants to confront her and anyone she might be talking to.
Step-by-step explanation:
- Earlier in the story Curley’s wife has been seen around the men and flirting, which makes Curley suspicious and angry.
- When Curley comes into the bunkhouse asking where his wife is, the implication is that she has been in or near the barn/stables — a place she sometimes goes to talk with the men (or at least where the men might see her).
- Because Curley is jealous and controlling, he goes to the barn to find her, intending to confront her and assert his authority. His jealousy is a recurring character trait that increases tension on the ranch and helps set up later conflicts.
Why this matters: Curley’s searching for his wife and his possessive behavior underline his volatile personality and the uneasy relationships between the characters. His jealousy and quickness to pick fights escalate the tension among the men and contribute to the tragic events that follow.