Curley's Wife

I was wondering why people would call a woman by Curley's Wife. I know that back in the 1930's that women around America did not have a many rights as men. I thought that because Curley was the owners son that maybe his wife would have a different name. I was wrong. While talking to his friends in the bunkhouse, Candy said, "' That b- didn't oughtta of said that to you'" (82). By calling Curley's Wife a b-, it is saying that she is equivalent to a dog. In other words Candy was trying to demean her. I think that the reason that she is called Curley's Wife is because people (men on the ranch) think she is a "lesser" person then themselves.

Why do you think she is called Curley's Wife?