Feminism and gender is a recurring theme in Tennessee William's “A Streetcar Named Desire”. “Streetcar” focuses on many social aspect such as gender stereotypes, gender inequality, and misogyny and how they are implemented in the characters lives. This gender/feminist essay will be discussing how Tennessee Williams implements these ideas into his writing.
Gender/Feminist criticism is the form of criticism in literature that focuses on feminism (“the advocacy of women's rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men”)( Webster’s dictionary) and how women have been denied social power and female social issues such as inequality, social constructs, abuse and misogyny. It examines female character portrayal, (which usually …show more content…
Both Blanche and Stella choose to rely on men and depend on them to help them emotionally, sexually, and financially. When Blanche becomes insecure she’s goes to men to make her feel better about herself and less insecure. Stella relies on her husband Stanley for everything, even after he beats her, Stella returns to him for fear of being alone. Even after Stanley’s rape of Blanche, Stella refuses to believe her husband is capable of doing something as bad as rape. However, Stella stays with him not only because of her love for Stanley but for the stability of her life as well as her newborn baby’s. Blanche eventually meets Mitch, falls in love, and dreams to start a new life with him but her plans fall through after she is raped by Stanley and she eventually has a mental breakdown and is sent to a mental …show more content…
When Stella comes home from a night out with Blanche, she asks the men to finish their card game Stanley just ignores her request. Stella knows that if she wants to stay married to him, she needs to deal with these rude and animalistic gestures and his violent outbursts and in return, she will have a home and her children safe. Although Stanley and Stella are married, the house is ultimately run by Stanley. In a feminist point of view a marriage is a union between a man and a woman where they take care of one another, listen to one another and pay attention to each others needs. Stanley doesn’t even consider her request to end the game shows and continues to play with his friends. In today’s society, this type of behavior is considered sexual harassment, no matter if the intent was harmful or not. Stanley does this very casually (as if it is routine). This action also represents Williams’ stereotyping of the men as sexual predators. This event shows the inequality of the genders and that Stanley is the dominant figure in the household.
It is evident from this gender/feminist analysis of the text of “ A Streetcar Named Desire”, that Tennessee Williams includes the ideas of gender stereotypes, gender inequality, and misogynistic views into writings. He portrays Stella and Blanche as desperate women who need stronger men in their lives to support them and portrays
Gender/Feminist criticism is the form of criticism in literature that focuses on feminism (“the advocacy of women's rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men”)( Webster’s dictionary) and how women have been denied social power and female social issues such as inequality, social constructs, abuse and misogyny. It examines female character portrayal, (which usually …show more content…
Both Blanche and Stella choose to rely on men and depend on them to help them emotionally, sexually, and financially. When Blanche becomes insecure she’s goes to men to make her feel better about herself and less insecure. Stella relies on her husband Stanley for everything, even after he beats her, Stella returns to him for fear of being alone. Even after Stanley’s rape of Blanche, Stella refuses to believe her husband is capable of doing something as bad as rape. However, Stella stays with him not only because of her love for Stanley but for the stability of her life as well as her newborn baby’s. Blanche eventually meets Mitch, falls in love, and dreams to start a new life with him but her plans fall through after she is raped by Stanley and she eventually has a mental breakdown and is sent to a mental …show more content…
When Stella comes home from a night out with Blanche, she asks the men to finish their card game Stanley just ignores her request. Stella knows that if she wants to stay married to him, she needs to deal with these rude and animalistic gestures and his violent outbursts and in return, she will have a home and her children safe. Although Stanley and Stella are married, the house is ultimately run by Stanley. In a feminist point of view a marriage is a union between a man and a woman where they take care of one another, listen to one another and pay attention to each others needs. Stanley doesn’t even consider her request to end the game shows and continues to play with his friends. In today’s society, this type of behavior is considered sexual harassment, no matter if the intent was harmful or not. Stanley does this very casually (as if it is routine). This action also represents Williams’ stereotyping of the men as sexual predators. This event shows the inequality of the genders and that Stanley is the dominant figure in the household.
It is evident from this gender/feminist analysis of the text of “ A Streetcar Named Desire”, that Tennessee Williams includes the ideas of gender stereotypes, gender inequality, and misogynistic views into writings. He portrays Stella and Blanche as desperate women who need stronger men in their lives to support them and portrays