Overview
Curley is one of the most memorable antagonists in Of Mice and Men. Three traits that define him are: 1) aggressive/confrontational, 2) jealous/possessive (especially about his wife), and 3) insecure (short-man/compensation behavior). Below each trait is a supporting quote and a short explanation.
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Aggressive / confrontational
Quote: "I'll kill the big son-of-a-bitch myself. I'll shoot him in the guts." (Chapter 3)
Why it fits: This shows Curley’s quickness to threaten violence and his desire to take direct revenge rather than let others handle a conflict — he immediately wants physical punishment rather than calm resolution.
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Jealous / possessive (about his wife)
Quote: "He wore a work glove on his left hand, and that glove was full of vaseline." (Chapter 2)
Why it fits: Steinbeck’s detail about the glove is commonly read as Curley’s attempt to keep his hand soft for his wife — a small but pointed sign of possessiveness and control over her. The glove becomes a symbol of how he treats his wife as something to claim and guard.
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Insecure / compensating (short-man syndrome)
Quote: "He's alla time pickin' scraps with big guys. Kind of like he's mad at 'em because he ain't a big guy." (Chapter 2)
Why it fits: This line (spoken about Curley) explains his pattern: he picks fights with larger men, suggesting he feels threatened by bigger men and tries to prove himself through aggression — a sign of underlying insecurity.
How to use these in an essay: state the trait, give the short quote, then explain how the quote shows that trait and how that trait affects other characters (for example, how Curley’s aggression leads to the fight with Lennie and how his possessiveness increases tension on the ranch).