Women at that time

The book itself was set at a time period that expected it's women to be housewives 24/7. They were expected to cook, clean, and look after the children if you had any. The thing about the book that bugged me the most was that through out the whole book, Curley's wife's name was never mentioned once. She was just referred to as "Curley's wife" I believe this was because Steinbeck wanted to make the point that women were viewed as the lower sex and their opinions and beliefs didn't matter.

Her death

After her backstory Curley's wife made the mistake of allowing poor messed up Lennie pet her hair. When he wouldn't let go she flipped out and started screaming. Lennie, being him, only held on tighter and tried to shut her up... this caused her accidental death. Her vain attempts at flirting finally caught up with her and she paid the ultimate price. 

The Wife's Backstory

Later on we find Lennie in the barn alone and Curley's wife starts talking to him.  She reveals some things about her past like how she's lonely and all she really wants is some company. We learn that she had the chance to become a showgirl but her mother wouldn't allow it and that caused some rather bitter feelings towards her mother. The only real reason Curley's wife got married to Curley was because she didn't like her mother and felt that she was just jealous of her daughter when in reality she just didn't want to put her in the danger of  getting a bad reputation.

Lennie's second encounter

Lennie is playing with his pup in the barn when Crooks (the stable buck) invites him in and they strike up a conversation of "what if..."'s when Candy joins them. Later on in the conversation Curley's wife appears and once again starts flirting and claiming to look for her husband. When Crooks and Candy promptly tell her she is not wanted there she reveals she knew where Curley was and just wanted some company. This starts an argument and then the boys get back so she leaves before Curley can see her flirting.

First encounter

When George and Lennie first meet Curley's wife she claims to be looking for her husband. After she hears that Curley is heading home she takes her leave. After she's gone Lennie comments on how she was pretty and George gives him an ear full on how she's trouble and not to take part in any of her escapades.

Curley's wife's introduction

When Curley's wife is first mentioned in the book we learn that she flirts with most of the workers even though she had just gotten married two weeks before hand. She gives them as what the men refer to as "The eye" quite often and flaunts her body around in a way that earns her being called a "tart" by them.