Et Tu Brute Analysis

By exerting his masculinity, the narrator refuses to accept female influence in his life. He believes that he is superior to the women because he is a man, but he feels threatened by the women whenever his authority is tested. In order to counteract the women’s verbal attacks on his masculinity, the narrator uses his physical strength over the women to assert his power. The narrator says, “Why, she even reached the point where she was sassing me back, but I provide her with a couple of good slaps and put a stop to that. No wife of mine is ever going to be disrespectful to me, not on your life” (195). Once the women show their dominance, the narrator feels that his manhood is endangered. He denies the women’s power and continuously seeks to proclaim his …show more content…
He also proves to be a hypocrite when he is disrespectful towards the women as well. The narrator attempts to control the women through physical actions when he feels that his strength and masculinity is vulnerable. In addition, he undermines the women’s power through his voice. He continuously refers to his position at the Cash ‘n’ Carry, as well as speaking in a mature manner in order to show that he is superior both physically and verbally. The narrator quotes Shakespeare and says, “Et tu Brute?” (197). This demonstrates how he wants to show he is not only physically stronger than the women, but also intellectually smarter than them as well. The narrator constantly counteracts the women’s actions, whether physical or verbal, to prove that he is superior. The narrator’s voice emphasizes the unfair treatment he received from the aunts, despite his own disrespectful actions. Furthermore, the narrator’s voice pulls the reader to his side of the story by highlighting the