Character: Mr Curry

Character: Mr Curry

Overview

• Mr Curry is a pivotal figure in John Byrne’s The Slab Boys.
• He is depicted as the oppressive floor manager of the carpet factory, maintaining an authoritarian rule over the workers, particularly the Slab Boys.
• His character serves to bring the oppressive workplace hierarchy and the socio-economic disparities in sharp relief.

Personality Traits

• Authoritarian: Mr Curry enforces strict discipline in the factory and has a harsh attitude towards the Slab Boys.
• Insensitive: He is indifferent towards the workers’ needs, demonstrating the lack of empathy from those in power.
• Elitist: His belief in class hierarchy and social standing leads him to belittle and mistreat the Slab Boys, particularly Phil McCann.

Relationships

• The Slab Boys: Mr Curry exercises brutal authority over them. His harsh treatment of the Slab Boys underscores the power dynamics inherent in class struggle.
• Hector McKenzie: Their dynamic paints a clear picture of the factory’s hierarchical structure, with Hector rarely challenging Curry’s authority.
• Other Factory Workers: Mr Curry’s interactions with other factory workers further highlight the power inequity and class distinction.

Evolution of Character

• Mr Curry’s character remains a force of oppression throughout the play. His unchanging nature illuminates the persistent socio-economic disparities and the cruel face of workplace hierarchy.
• His unaffected position at the end of the play indicates his sheltered stance from the consequences of his actions, symbolic of the systemic oppression of the working class.

Character Interpretation

• Mr Curry can be seen as a representation of the upper class elite, exploiting their position of power and maintaining social hierarchies.
• He acts as an embodiment of workplace tyranny and his unsympathetic approach towards the Slab Boys accentuates the theme of class discrimination present in the play.