Finally the author integrates a powerful symbol, Curley's wife. She represents the role of women during the dirty 1930's. Steinbeck uses Curley's wife in the novel to symbolize the sexual power women had over men. This is shown when Curley's wife enters the workers' bunkhouse: "She stood still in the doorway, smiling a little at them, rubbing the nails of one hand with the thumb and forefinger of the other"" (p.77) Through the book Curley's wife is the source of constant trouble in the workers' lives. Steinbeck does not give her a name; therefore, she is seen as a possession of her husband, Curley. Moreover due to her lower status, she is bored: "Why can't I talk to you? I never get to talk to anybody. I get awful lonely"" (p.86) Throughout the novel the author emphasizes the theme of loneliness and isolation throughout Curley's wife. Without a doubt symbols such as settings and animals characters are great tools for Steinbeck's use of symbolism.
Throughout the novel Steinbeck uses imagery to engage the reader into the text. In the beginning of the novel, Steinbeck describes the setting of the Salinas River, Soledad: "The water is warm too, for it has slipped twinkling over the yellow sands"" (p.1) In this quotation, the author makes a unique use of sibilance which is a technique that transmits to the reader a sense of peace and tranquility. It is a special and beautiful place. The mountains, river and the valley are described with vivid adjectives. George and Lennie consider this place a little piece of heaven where they can go in search of peace. Furthermore the bunkhouse, the house for many workers in the barn, is a setting depicted with vivid imagery: "Over each bunk there was nailed an apple box with the opening forward so that it made two shelves for the personal belongings of the occupant of the bunk"" (p.17) Steinbeck emphasizes the setting of the bunkhouse in order for the readers to understand the life of a worker during the 1930's.