Here's what it means:
* Wedge: A wedge is a tool used to split wood. It's a sharp, pointed object that is driven into a piece of wood to force it apart.
* Crazy as a wedge: The imagery of a wedge being driven into someone's mind suggests that they are so mentally unbalanced that their thoughts are completely disrupted and scattered. It implies a complete lack of sanity and a deep disconnect from reality.
In the book:
Lennie uses this phrase when describing Curley's wife, who he believes is crazy because of her flirtatious and manipulative behavior. This highlights how Lennie struggles to understand her actions and perceives her as erratic and dangerous.
The phrase also reflects Lennie's own naivety and his limited understanding of the world around him. He uses simple, often crude language to express his thoughts, and his description of Curley's wife as "crazy as a wedge" reveals his limited ability to grasp complex human emotions and motivations.
Overall, "crazy as a wedge" is a powerful idiom that captures the essence of Lennie's perception of Curley's wife and reflects his own innocence and limited understanding of human complexity.