To begin, read this summary of the sociological study of gender. Find something you think you can apply to the character or characters you've chosen to analyze, developing a thesis about the influence of gender socialization on their conduct. Maybe a character is obsessed with some aspect of their assigned gender role that has come to define them. Or maybe they can't live up to the stereotype and others criticize them for it. Or perhaps you want to look at how two characters' relationship is hindered by their fixation on playing these roles instead of being honest with each other. The point is to find something you feel comfortable writing about and make it interesting! Make sure you include two quotes from the play and/or the linked sociology sources. Good luck!
113 Comments
Aidan Lyons
8/8/2016 01:40:20 pm
Pretty little lady with hands entrenched within their white gloves, and a wide brimmed hat which adorns her head, and quite the curvy figure well emphasized by the expensive looking, at least, corset. You might be thinking of Blanche after that description, but a more general term comes to mind. The classic idealized Southern Belle, beautiful and graceful and feminine to the core. A beautiful dream, if you will, as origin of our own Southern Belle implies, for the name Belle Reve, the lost home of the DuBois, translates to Beautiful Dream from French.
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Renee Mercereau
8/9/2016 02:05:09 pm
In Tenessee Williams' play, "A Streetcar Named Desire", many of the characters follow traditional gender roles. Gender roles are distinct characteristics and behaviors associated with each gender; they are a big part of what make males and females different. Some roles associated with the male gender are having an instinct to be leaders, protect their families, and to be competitive. Some female gender roles are having the instinct to be compassionate, to be nurturing to their children and others, and to be helpful and willing to listen. The traditional roles of the male and female genders are part of their design as humans and are meant to make them work together harmoniously in family life.
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Ashleigh Lloyd
8/10/2016 11:28:53 am
Gender roles are exposed to children at a very young age and time and time again throughout their lifetime. This exposure is in books, television shows, movies, clothes, toys, etc. In the play, A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams, gender roles are an apparent part of the story. The traditional gender stereotypes are shown in the main character, Blanche DuBois, as well as other characters Stanley, Stella, and Mitch. The character Mitch shows this stereotype when he claims that “poker shouldn’t be played in a house with women” (58 Williams). Mitch feels that the roughness, aggressiveness, and analytical aspects of poker are not appropriate for women who are, in his eyes, gentle and benevolent. This idea of gender stereotypes is in an article entitled Gender Socialization in Sparknotes. It is described in the article that even as young boys, aggressive tendencies are in forced. “Giving a girl a doll teaches her to care for it and fosters the value of caring for others. When boys receive dolls, they are likely to be action figures designed to bring out the alleged aggressive tendencies in boys.” These aggressive tendencies in boys and men, not girls and women, are apparent in the play as well. The novel exposes gender stereotypes as a major problem affecting society. If a young girl dreams to be a police officer and comes to find that that is not as common for women, she may come to terms with being a nurse or teacher. This is because in society’s eyes, these are more appropriate jobs for women. Gender stereotypes limit how a person views him or herself and what he or she can do in the world.
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Dean Hottmann
8/10/2016 12:08:36 pm
The idea of the socialization of people into gender roles plays a big part in the plot of Tennessee Williams's play "A Streetcar Named Desire." Gender roles can be caused by innate, biological differences or from differences in the ways that boys and girls are socialized (Sparknotes). In the play, characters struggle to both defy and conform to the stereotypical gender roles in place in the time that the play takes place. Stanley Kowalski, one of the main characters, fits very well into his masculine gender role. For the most part, this comes easily to him. Stanley's need to fit his gender role is also a need to establish dominance over others, especially his wife Stella. When his authority is challenged by Blanche, Stanley needs to prove he is above her and rapes her. He wants to feel as masculine as possible and to fit the role that he must act as aggressive and manly as possible. This affects his conduct as it leads him to do extreme things like raping Blanche just to show he has authority.
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Amira Ibrahim
8/10/2016 04:59:43 pm
Society expects different attitudes and behaviors from boys and girls (Spark Notes Gender Socialization). In other words during the time period " A Streetcar Named Desire" was wrote there are gender stereotypes that man and a woman were supposed to follow and if they did not follow they are seen as strange or they were criticized. For example a "real" man is to have complete control over his household, his wife, etc. A "real" man was supposed to be violent and aggressive. On the other hand a woman is supposed to be caring, sensitive and nurturing. This stereotype is shown by the protagonist Stanley. Stanley shows his need for control on page 51 when he tells Blanche "Turn it off" when she starts playing music. Stanley also shows he is aggressive when he physically attacks Stella.On the flip side Mitch is different. He is sensitive and has a caring nature, especially when it comes to his mother. On page 52 Stanley teases Mitch by saying " And when he goes home he'll deposit them one by one in a piggy bank his mother give him for Christmas.'' Stanley picks on Mitch because he is very emotional and nurturing when it comes to his mother. Later in the book Mitch confesses to Blanche that he loves his mother very much and says he does not want to marry Blanche because she was not good enough for his mother. These examples show that if gender roles are not followed you can be criticized or belittled.
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Alanah Ramos
8/10/2016 07:22:30 pm
The article "Gender Socialization" speaks of the way gender roles wreak havoc on societies across the globe, some more than other. These gender roles are exceedingly applicable to the characters in "A Streetcar Named Desire" by Tennesse Williams, who makes the differences between the male and female characters straightforward: The women are weak-willed and the men are malicious. The antagonist of the play, Stanley Kowalski, is a heavy drinker and immensely aggressive man, going so far as to assault and berate his wife in front of company and violate Blanche. Yet, time and time again, Stanley proves himself to be a savage, only to be excused, as depicted in Stella, his constant victim, justifying his ferocious nature with "He's always smashed things." (Williams, 64) His need to prove himself alpha comes to a climax when he commits the primitive act of rape on Blanche, who he spites for degrading him verbally and threatening his role of alpha with her overtly brassy persona. He feels the need to prove him dominant with his theatric speech "Remember what Huey Long said - "Every Man is a King!" And I am the king around here, so don't forget it!" (Williams, 107) The term "boys will be boys" comes to mind when reading Stanley's menacing behavior and aggression, leading his need to prove his masculinity to those surrounding him to face physical and/or verbal abuse at his hands. Yet they stay with Stanley out of fear or excuses. If not for gender roles, Stanley would not have felt the need to prove and protect his masculinity through violence unto his wife, who bears his child throughout a majority of the book, and his sister-in-law, Blanche. All those around him suffer from his obsession with masculinity and are victims of conforming to gender roles themselves and, in turn, are just as conformative and bland as Stanley, simply lacking the extremes he went to.
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Lauren Marcolus
8/11/2016 02:49:53 am
Gender roles are the expected traits and behaviors of men and women in society. Many scientists believe these roles are influenced by biology and how one is raised as a child. Society sets specific physical, behavioral, and occupational standards that some strive to reach and others defy.
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Jack Davis
8/11/2016 08:13:46 am
From the beginning of schooling and parenting, gender roles are imprinted on little boys and girls that will become different types of men and women. Some may become dominant, because that is their perception of the proper lesson that society has imprinted on them. Some may become submissive for the same reasons. One character who is a slave to gender roles is Blanche. She is always, like she says in the end, dependent on the kindness of strangers, so she is submissive and dependent like the typical female gender roles. But many of these people are not innocent kind strangers, they just have nicely disguised motives. She is insecure and dependent on this false kindness, pertaining heavily to the female gender role stereotypes. She is also very tactful and discreet, falling again to the stereotypes, telling as her entire story of her past that she told her relatives was a facade, she was very protective of her past. That led to her downfall when she had a good chance to bury it with Mitch, ruined. Although her relationship with Mitch was destroyed more literally by Stanley, it’s her past that gave Stanley the materials. One quote citing the gender roles that Blanche becomes defined by is in a summary of the final scene when Blanche unravels, “This final image is the sad culmination of Blanche’s vanity and total dependence upon men for happiness.” One quote that relates fairly to Blanche’s low position, and her promiscuity is “Women working in traditionally male occupations often hit a glass ceiling, an invisible barrier that keeps women from reaching executive positions (Sparknotes).” This doesn’t relate literally to the occupational tension between men and women as much as Blanche’s frequent encounters with men, constantly watching them go up the escalator and her hit the ceiling, a constant reminder of how much lower she is than them. Her unraveling and dependence is put in the spotlight when she is being committed to the mental hospital, and rather than to fight, she almost lets herself go, blindly stating, “Whoever you are—I have always depended on the kindness of strangers (Williams 142). Because of her history, this quote shows how she has finally gone over the edge.
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Brendan Loftus
8/11/2016 08:29:01 am
According to Sparknotes a gender role is “a set of behaviors, attitudes, and personality characteristics expected and encouraged of a person based on his or her sex.” Gender roles play a major role in the plot of Tennessee Williams's play A Streetcar Named Desire, where the women are weak and the men dominating animals. In the play, Stanley Kowalski is a strongly masculine figure who commits atrocities because he feels it is his right and sworn duty as a male. Stanley is also the epitome of the “male misogynistic pig” that many harcore feminists despise and align their image of men to… but that’s another blog post for another time… moving on.
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Belinda Bohrman
8/11/2016 09:39:39 am
It is often said throughout history that women and men should be treated differently. Different clothing, different hairstyles, different attitudes, different sexuality. And although it is expected and widely known; nobody ever approaches the subject, perhaps out of fear. Society can be very cruel to people who try to stand out and point out the flaws in our ways of thinking. So, for a long time, men had more rights than women and in some places they still do. One person who very bluntly pointed out gender roles in society is Tennessee Williams. He wrote a play called A Streetcar Named Desire that went on to win several awards and further the women’s right’s movement. The story centers around two sisters named Stella and Blanche DuBois. After leaving her sister alone in their old home, Stella moved away and married Stanley Kowalski. And throughout the rest of the story it is shown that Stanley is the epitome of male stereotyping. In other words, he is aggressive, loud, strong, and at times even over-bearing. In the text it states, “Animal joy is implicit in all his actions and attitudes. Since earliest manhood the center of his life has been pleasure with women, the giving and taking of it, not with weak indulgence, dependently, but with the power and pride of a richly feathered male bird among hens.” (Williams 29) All of his actions are done with a certain level of barbarism that makes him seem like he’s trying extremely hard to keep up the facade that he is the ultimate man. Blanche is forced to stay with Stella and Stanley after she loses her house and the audience immediately sees that she’s trying her best to maintain her own role as a woman to appear frail and pretty. At one point she even says, “It’s hard to stay looking fresh. I haven’t washed or even powdered my face and--here you are!” (Williams 30) However, despite her seemingly daintiness, she is very unhinged and the further the play progresses; the more Blanche appears to be losing her mind. Despite her mental state, she still causes problems between Stella and Stanley by urging her sister to leave him. This leads Stanley to lose his grip on Stella and, therefore, his manhood. He then takes matters into his own hands in a violent climax and sexually assaults her, pushing her over the edge of her own sanity. In addition to dominating Blanche, he also gets Stella pregnant and reinforces the fact that she has no hopes of providing on her own. So in a way, because Stanley is a powerful man, he has complete control over Stella and Blanche. This only further proves how prevalent gender roles used to be and sometimes still are.
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Ethan Christensen
8/11/2016 09:41:09 am
In Tennessee William's play, A Streetcar Named Desire, gender roles have a huge part. Kowalski feels that as a man he is supposed to be dominant, masculine, etc. and take control over situations. His opinion on females is that they're there simply to care for him in whatever way whether it be feeding him or tending to his sexual needs. So, it's no surprise when rape is introduced to the story. “He acts like an animal, has an animal's habits! Eats like one, moves like one, talks like one! There's even something -sub-human -something not quite to the stage of humanity yet!" (Williams). This quote essentially describes how one of the gender roles for men is to be animal-like. It's stated right there in the play. In my opinion, I could care less about gender roles; But they are very important in this play. "Society expects different attitudes from boys and girls." This quote pretty much embodies the entire theme of the play. All in all Stanley Kowalski's masculine attitude, rape of Blanche, and overall animal-like attitude drives him to be one awful person, if he's even a person anymore.
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Colleen Dougan
8/11/2016 01:22:16 pm
Gender roles define how men and women conform to what society sees as normal. Society expects different attitudes and behaviors from boys and girls (SparkNotes Gender Socialization). Throughout Tennessee Williams’ play A Streetcar Named Desire, traditional gender roles are portrayed through the characters. This play is based around two sisters, Stella and Blanche, and Stella’s abusive husband, Stanley. In the beginning of the play, Williams starts off by telling the readers about Stella leaving her hometown of Belle Reve for New Orleans right after her parents died, leaving Blanche to deal with it all. Stella DuBois, then, married Stanley Kowalski, an overpowering and aggressive man. Society and the way people fit into gender roles at the time is one of the main focal points for the basis of Williams’ characters. One character in particular would be Stanley Kowalski. Stanley uses his masculinity to suppress and control women. Overtime, Stanley grew to fit into the gender roles for men and it now defines him. Even though he might not know it, Stanley thinks that women are less than him and they need to bend on hand and knee for his needs. This is shown to the readers when Williams writes, “Animal joy is implicit in all his actions and attitudes. Since earliest manhood the center of his life has been pleasure with women, the giving and taking of it, not with weak indulgence, dependently, but with the power and pride of a richly feathered male bird among hens” (Williams 29). When the readers realize this about Stanley, it is not as surprising when he takes advantage of Blanche and Stella. Blanche and Stella are the definition of feminine gender roles. They are constantly shown as always looking pretty and taking care of the men like Stanley. Blanche constantly tries to persuade Stella to leave her husband, but it is shown in the end that Stella is practically brainwashed to think that it is how it should be in society. The strength in someone’s character should be shown by their ability to overcome gender roles and treat everyone with equal respect.
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Steven White
8/11/2016 01:42:32 pm
"Experts disagree on whether differences between males and females result from innate, biological differences or differences in the ways that boys and girls are socialized. In other words, experts disagree on whether differences between men and women are due to nature, nurture, or a combination of both." (Sparknotes). The character, Mitch, is a perfect example of why experts are indecisive on whether gender roles are based on nature or nurture. Mitch does not fit the male gender role very well, and he doesn't fit the female gender role either. He is not aggressive, dominant, or tough. Mitch is defined by his compassion, submissiveness, and emotion, but he is also analytical and blunt. Both nature and nurture play an important role in who he is as a person. Nature is what makes him blunt and analytical, but because of the way he was raised Mitch is submissive, emotional, and compassionate. The more feminine characteristics make him an easy target for more masculine men (like Stanley) to push him around. This is shown when the group of men finish a poker game, and Steve asks about when they will play again. Stanley is able to manipulate Mitch because Stanley has made himself the dominant one in the room, and Mitch is a more shy person. "Steve (to Stanley and Mitch): Hey, are we playin' poker tomorrow?
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Joseph Campos
8/11/2016 06:41:36 pm
In a “Streetcar named Desire”, Stanley Kowalski is one of the major characters that stands out who actually follows his gender role as a men. Gender roles are the attitudes and behaviors of boys and girls that society expects from them.(Sparknotes) Gender roles are a big part of this play, it's easy to see on most of the characters. Throughout the play, Stanley’s masculine role stands out the most due to the ways he handles things. Stanley has this behavior that he likes to boss people around and seems aggressive at times. With his dominant behavior, he sees himself as most important and head of the household. In the book Stanley says to Stella, “What do you think you are? A pair of queens?”(Scene 8) By these words, it's safe to say that Stanley is really annoyed by the way Stella and her sister are trying to act like if they were in charge. With his aggressive and tough behavior, it seems he wants people to be afraid of him.In other words, he wants to gain control and gain respect through force to those who refuse.
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Desiree Marshall
8/12/2016 07:20:03 am
Gender roles aren’t anything new, they’ve been around for a long time and it doesn’t seem they will be going away anytime soon. There are certain expectations that men and women are held to, and the roles are taught to us at a young age. “Girls are (expected to be) more compassionate and nurturing than boys,” which is why “Girls receive dolls in an attempt to socialize them into future roles as mothers. Since women are expected to be more nurturing than men, giving a girl a doll teaches her to care for it and fosters the value of caring for others. When boys receive dolls, they are likely to be action figures designed to bring out the alleged aggressive tendencies in boys.” (Sparknotes). The play 'A Streetcar Named Desire is no stranger to these roles either.' Throughout the play, we can see that the gender roles the characters play are very obvious. In as little as the first few pages I noticed that Stanley was your typical ‘macho man’ it seemed. He had a dominating attitude, and many times overpowered the women around him whether it was his wife or her sister. When we get a first look at who Stanley is, he is described as carrying himself “with the power and pride of a richly feathered male bird among hens.” (Williams 29) This speaks to the animalistic tendencies commonly associated with male animals who seek to carry themselves better than any other man in order to win the affection of the women (hens) around them. One of the gender roles common in today’s society is for men to reek of power and explode with pride. Stanley fits this to a tee. Especially when his attributes are “heartiness with men, his appreciation of rough humor, his love of a good drink and food and games, his car, his radio, everything that is his, that bears his emblem of the gaudy seed-bearer.” (Williams 29) Most of these characteristics can be associated with the common image a man is supposed to uphold. Stanley is the definition of a ‘real man’, and we continue to see that throughout the play. Stanley is almost addicted to becoming the perfect alpha-male and he consistently commits crazy acts in order to achieve this. He ignores the feelings of people around him, and doesn’t work out any of his issues. He almost in a way completely throws out everything he is to live up to the expectations of his role. Stanley goes as far as raping Blanche without a regret in the world. At this point we as readers know that he’s thrown everything out to become the ideal man. The effect that gender roles have on certain people run deep, and can even ruin their lives or the lives of others as they strive to be the perfect man or woman. Tennessee Williams points this out amazingly in his play 'A Streetcar Named Desire', as he shows how people can lose their minds trying to conform to the stereotypes assigned to their genders.
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Julia Schneider
8/12/2016 07:27:57 am
In A Streetcar Named Desire by playwright, Tennessee Williams, gender roles play a huge part in the story. A “gender role is a set of behaviors, attitudes, and personality characteristics expected and encouraged of a person based on his or her sex”(Gender Socialization, SparkNotes). The characters Stanley and Stella Kowalski’s relationship follows the gender role that men are the head of the house and the women do all of the cooking and cleaning and take care of the men. Stanley thinks “every man is a king” and “[he] is the king around here”(Williams 107). In the beginning of the play he throws meat at Stella to cook and she is completely ok with him doing that. Then later on he hit her across the face and after he apologized she was completely ok with that too. Blanche was trying to show her what a terrible man he is and how bad their relationship is, but Stella won’t listen; she’s blinded by the fact that she loves him. But it finally gets through to her, and she starts talking back to him and ordering him around. He doesn’t like this at all so he responds by saying, “them kind of words have been on your tongue and your sister's too much around here. What do you two think you are? A pair of queens?”(Williams 107) So Stanley can be the King but his wife can’t be the Queen? But by the end of the book Stella has had her baby and she goes back into her husband's arms, even after all the bad things he has said and done to her. The gender roles are very apparent in this relationship, but Stanley takes advantage of them in a negative way; gender roles don’t have to be a bad thing, but in this situation they are.
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Hannah Nishiura
8/12/2016 07:28:31 am
Children in schools are treated and taught differently based on their gender, and these gender roles are carried with them throughout their whole life. In the gender socialization article, it explained how girls from a young age are taught to be mothers by being given dolls, while boys are more likely to be given "action figures designed to bring out the alleged aggressive tendencies in boys."(sparknotes gender socialization) In A Streetcar Named Desire, one of the protagonists, Stella, has been influenced by gender roles and continues to live and abide by them. Stella thinks that it is okay for her husband to hit her, and possibly rape her, because she was taught from a young age that guys may be aggressive, and that is okay. She even deals with her pregnancy almost alone, while her husband, Stanley is getting drunk and fighting with her sister. She highlights the fact that she has stayed quiet and accepting of Stanley's drunk and abusive behavior when she states, "People have got to tolerate each other's habits, I guess."(Williams 66) Even after he hits her and rapes her sister, she decides to stay with him, and claims it is because she loves him. Stella has been taught to be a mother, accept her husbands aggression, and be quiet her whole life, and those lessons ended up hurting her.
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Lauren Bonanno
8/12/2016 07:43:43 am
Socialization is the way someone should act based on their gender. In Tennessee Williams's play "A Streetcar Named Desire", gender roles stick out in two main characters named Stanley and Stella. Males have the stereotype of being aggressive, tough, and cruel. When Stanley has his friends over they drink and play poker. When Stanley is drunk, he acts aggressively towards his wife, Stella. When Stella tried to reprimand her husband, "there was the sound of a blow" (Williams 56). Since Stanley hit Stella he fits the stereotype of being aggressive and cruel. Females have the stereotype of crying often, being submissive, and dependent. Since Stella keeps taking hits from her husband and running back to him not too long after he does it, she fits the stereotype of being dependent and submissive. She depends on her husband and cannot see herself without him. She also cries when he abuses her so the stereotype of being emotional and crying over problems surfaces. Stella is criticized for being almost weak for always running back to Stanley by her sister named Blanche. Blanche told Stella that she was "insane enough to come back in [there] after what had happened" (Williams 63). Stella responded to this by telling Blanche that she was "making too much of a fuss about [it]" (Williams 63). Stella finds it almost normal that her husband would hit her which in my opinion is a fault in the society. No one should take abuse and be okay with it. Stella and Stanley fit some of the traditional gender stereotypes.
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Alexa Kirkpatrick
8/12/2016 07:58:18 am
In the play A Streetcar Named Desire many of the character were stuck in bad situations because they were stuck in their gender roles. The character Stella sticks out in my mind when I think of this. Stella was married to Stanley. A man who would drink and play poker. When he would drink he would become angry and he took his anger out on Stella. Stella never found herself outside of her relationship. She depended on him for everything. Anything from food and a house to emotional support. Even though Stella left her home be free from the obligations that being a rich lady requires she was then stuck in a different part of gender rules. She became a toy for Stanley, something to beat at when he was angry or to use when he wants and throws away when he’s bored. She was so okay with it because she was brainwashed to think that this is as good as it can get for her and that she is lucky. These rules make her not able to leave this dangerous situation that hurts her and her child.
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Tara Clark
8/12/2016 09:01:05 am
In A Streetcar Named Desire by, Tennessee Williams, gender roles play a tremendous part in the story. In the play the characters Stella and Stanley Kowalski’s relationship follows the gender role that women are nurturing, do all the cooking, and do all of the cleaning. Stanley’s character follows the gender role and shows that men are aggressive, impatient, and tough. “Gender socialization is the tendency for boys and girls to be socialized differently. Boys are raised to conform to the male gender role, and girls are raised to conform to the female gender or role” (Sparknotes). At one point during the play “Stanley stalks fiercely through the portieres into the bedroom. He crosses to the small white radio and snatches it off the table. With a shouted oath, he tosses the instrument out the window” (Williams 57). After that Stella and Blanche were so scared they left the house and when to Stella’s neighbor’s house. Soon enough Stanley apologized and Stella forgave him as if nothing even happened! Blanch attempted to tell Stella how horrible their relationship was but she wouldn’t listen. After a long time, Stella finally sees how horrible their relationship is and how horrible of a person Stanley is. But when Stella has her baby, she goes right back to Stanley; even after all of the wrong he has done to her.
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Jackie Prestininzi
8/12/2016 09:19:17 am
Throughout the play “A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams gender roles have a big part on the actions of the characters. During the 1940's which is the play’s setting, women and men have specific roles and expectations because of their gender. Women would stay home, clean the house, cook, and watch the children while men would go out all day and work. For example the reason that little girls play with dolls and boys play with action figures is that “Girls receive dolls in an attempt to socialize them into future roles as mothers. Since women are expected to be more nurturing than men, giving a girl a doll teaches her to care for it and fosters the value of caring for others. When boys receive dolls, they are likely to be action figures designed to bring out the alleged aggressive tendencies in boys” (SparkNotes,Gender Socialization). Gender roles and expectations are influenced by many things. Family, and carer choice are two main things. These gender roles and expectations really affect Stanley and Stella Kowalski relationship and everyday life. Stanley feels that he is the superior and the more important because he is the man of the house. For example in “A Streetcar Named Desire” when Stella asks for help clearing the table, Stanley says” [He hurls a plate to the floor] That’s how I clear the table![He seizes her arm] Don’t ever talk that way to me!”(Williams 107). Stanley’s aggression and ego cause him to hit Stella and not treat her as an equal. Their relationship is affected from them trying to act like their “suppose to”. Throughout “ A Streetcar Named Desire” gender roles trap the characters into being what society believes is correct instead of letting these characters be themselves.
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Meghan Murray
8/12/2016 09:34:24 am
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Morgan Almasy
8/12/2016 09:52:07 am
Gender roles play a very large role in the play A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams. This is extremely apparent in the character Stanley Kowalski. He gives in to gender roles by being the aggressive, strong man of the family. It's expected of men to be strong both physically and mentally, and Stanley proudly expresses he is both. However, this goes too far when he beats his wife Stella. At this point, he no longer is simply exercising the role expected of him, instead he's gone to the point of abuse and using his gender as an excuse for such behavior. In an article about gender socialization, it is stated that "females seem to have stronger communication skills and relish interpersonal communication more than males" (Gender Socialization), and this could be because of the stereotypes men and women are forced into. The play would've been different if Stanley had simply talked to Stella rather than hitting her, but the males are deemed stronger and dominant to females, so he resorted to abusing her. In conclusion, Stanley let gender roles define and control him, and they got the best of him when he hit his wife.
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Richard Bakalian
8/12/2016 10:16:36 am
In "A Streetcar Named Desire'', we see how attitudes are attributed to certain genders. It is clear that Stella has a lot of the characteristics that a female would normally have. People like Stanley and Blanche are not very nice to Stella. In just the first scene, when Stella is speaking with Blanche, Blanche criticizes Stella on her weight and how she had left her family. The way Blanche behaves, is not a stereotypical feminine behavior, however, we see Stella act very submissively, and she just simply took all that was thrown at her, the stereotypical way. At the very end of scene three, on page 48 when Stella tries to calmly ask Stanley when the game will be over, he instantly snaps back in disgust, and these events appear constantly through the book, we also see Stella act very gently and peacefully, and ''Lady Like''. Stella is one of the people see most strongly influenced by Gender roles, next to Stanley, and we see how Blanche is merely unaffected.
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Liam Landree
8/12/2016 10:18:36 am
According to SparkNotes, “Gender socialization is the tendency for boys and girls to be socialized differently...A gender role is a set of behaviors, attitudes, and personality characteristics expected and encouraged of a person based on his or her sex”(Gender Socialization, SparkNotes). Gender socialization causes individuals to conceal their true desires due to fear of indifference from society. In Tennessee Williams novel A Streetcar Named Desire readers are introduced to the profound effect that these gender roles play within the story. One prominent issue regarding these roles is Blanche’s issues with alcohol. Due to the portrayed image of women at the time blanche is left scrambling to conceal her alcoholism in the presence of others. Blanches struggle is observed as she tries to conform to society's standard yet must conceal her natural desires, “ she rushes about frantically, hiding the bottle in a closet” (Williams 113). Gender roles dictate that it is indecent for women to drink frequently; why would a lady of such high-standard abuse such a substance? Upon first inspection, Blanche appears to abide by these gender roles, yet underneath she is victim to the struggle of conforming to society’s standards.
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Sophie Navarro
8/12/2016 10:22:53 am
In the story, A Streetcar Named Desire, sociology heavily influences the story. The character, Stanley Kowalski, uses his masculinity to dominate the story. He is always telling the other men what to do when they are playing poker. Like the time when he said to Mitch that the next game would be at Mitch’s place, but Mitch said no because of his mother. Stanley wouldn’t let Mitch tell him what to do, so he came back with the response of “okay at my place… but you bring the beer!” [Williams 28]. He wants to dominate his little world. He sets the pace of the relationship with Stella as well. In fact, he keeps her submissive because the fact that she is pregnant with his child. Stella knows that she can’t leave Stanley because of the baby. Plus the fact that she loves him, and he shows her love by “turning on the colored lights”.
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William Watson
8/12/2016 11:17:06 am
Stanley in the play “A Street Car Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams tries to be the definition of a man, by always asserting his authority and by raping Blanche. When Stanley first meets Blanche he is always asking the questions and is always the one taking charge of the conversation, trying to force his authority over Blanche. Another act of authority is when Stanley decides to beat Stella to show his authority over her. Stanley exerts his authority when he tells Blanche that she can’t drink in his house. Specifically he says “In Laurel, huh? Oh, yeah, in Laurel, that’s right. Not in my territory. Liquor goes fast in hot weather” (Williams 26). Stanley says that although she was allowed to drink in her own home town, she cannot drink in his home. Instead of just saying that Blanche couldn’t drink he says that she can’t drink in “his territory” making it seem as though he is in charge of everything and is the man of the house. As Blanche always challenged Stanley’s manliness, and control over mostly everyone he decided that he had to show Blanche that he was in charge and had power over her so he decided to rape her. In the article “Gender Socialization” it says that boys are raised to conform to the male gender or role.” This is what Stanley is trying to do but in the most aggressive way possible and goes too far to do this. Stanley does many things to prove his manliness and does it in his own aggressive way, which proves that Stanley is conforming to his gender role.
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Kady Aguilar
8/12/2016 12:37:59 pm
In "A Streetcar Named Desire," sociology influences the story. Gender is the most important role through out the book. The character Stanley Kowalski mostly shows gender role by he being the aggresive, strong man of his family. Men, they both have to be strong in both ways, mentally and physically. Mr. Kowalski shows both.
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Lisa-Marie Smith
8/12/2016 12:38:31 pm
Having stereotypical gender roles is a common thing seen in stereotypical gender roles is a common thing scene in "A Streetcar Named Desire" and everywhere else in the world. A big example of stereotypical gender roles is Stanly and Stella's relationship. They both contain the attributes of a stereotypical woman and male couple. Stella is shown to be a sweet, understanding, and forgiving woman. She does the house work, she cleans after her partner and his friends. She does the cooking as well. Stanly is define you a very stereo typical masculine character . He is showing to be very aggressive, loud, and cruel. He goes out with his friends and they drink and play poker like "men" are expected to do in society. Is only amusements are sex, poker, drinking, and being with his other masculine male friends. "Boys are raised to conform to the male gender role, and girls are raised to conform to the female gender or role." (sparknotes) Stanly and Stella are so use to their set gender role that they aren't being true to themselves at all. This causes Stanly to be aggressive toward Stella. As a man he is taking advantage off his power of his gender role and take it out on Stella. Stella's gender role is to be a forgiving, nice, generous woman. This is causing her to think she should forgive Stanly for whatever he does even when it isn't a good choice. "Studies show that boys are more physically active than girls." (sparknotes) Males are suppose to be seen as strong and women are seen as weak and helpless. If Stella looked passed that gender role she would have made the right decision and left Stanly.
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Jack Dee
8/12/2016 12:38:42 pm
A gender role is a set of behaviors, attitudes, and personality characteristics expected and encouraged of a person based on his or her sex. (sparknotes). In the play A Streetcar Named Desire by Tenessee Williams there are some characters that are defined by gender roles. One character named Stanley tries to prove that he is a strong and dominant male by doing violent things like throwing the radio out the window and hitting Stella. When Stanley goes to get Stella back it shows that he thinks he can get away with anything as the "dominant" character. He also treats some people with disrespect while trying to assert his dominance like when he said, "Since when do you give me orders?" (Williams 70). Stanley has grown to believe that he has to be tougher than women because of the way society has shaped him. Stanley also brings the male gender role to an extreme when he overpowers and rapes Blanche. Boys are expected to have certain traits and behave a certain way because of gender socialization but Stanley takes it too far when he turns hostile in his attempt to conform to the male gender role.
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Aidan Butler
8/12/2016 01:29:47 pm
The term gender role is defined as "A set of behaviors, attitudes, and personality characteristics expected and encouraged of a person based on his or her sex" by experts in the field. In Tennessee William's "A Streetcar Named Desire" gender roles play a huge role in how the characters act and react in situations. The character Stella stood out me because she conformed to these social "expectations" for gender roles so well. Throughout the story we see her clearly abusive husband do things to her that are completely wrong but she says it's alright because he only does that when he is angry. This is the submissive and passive wife that gender roles tell us is the proper way for things to be. After Stanley hits Stella and they fight she comes back and forgives him for it. When Blanche confronts her about it Stella says "Blanche, I'd forgotten how excitable you are. You're making much too much fuss about this"(Williams 63). What is clearly a big "fuss" Stella doesn't think so because this is how society works and Stanley is allowed to treat her like this because she is a women. This story has a big focus on gender roles because Stella's husband also conforms to the brute manliness that is the male gender role. Stella is the perfect example of of conforming to societies gender roles.
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Sinead Henderson
8/12/2016 01:41:27 pm
Throughout the play "A Streetcar Named Desire" there are so many gender roles, but not just in the play, there are gender roles every where in our world. We are constantly being told how we should live our life, who to love, and how to dress. "Cultural expectations dictate that girls are more compassionate and nurturing then boys." Throughout the play you can definitely see how Stanley acts as if he's the man of the house he even states "I am the king around here."(Williams 107) Stanley thinks to be a man that he needs to show he's tough and can do what he wants, so he does. Stanley beats Stella and they both act of nothing happened, Blacnche tries to tell her that it isn't normal to be treated that way. Stanley knows Blanche has caught on and realized what kind of man he is so he rapes Blanche to show her who's in charge and who will always be in charge. Stanley needs to do these things to to show himself and everyone around him that he's the man and he's in charge.
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Sima Vaidya
8/12/2016 01:57:22 pm
In society, males and females are assigned gender roles. It states things about how the genders are supposed to act, live, and what qualities they possess. In the play “A Street Car Names Desire”, written by Tennessee Williams, gender roles play a huge part in the society at the time. Males would be out of the house working and gambling. Females would be doing house chores and take care of the family. Men had more power than women, as shown in the Scene 8:
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Amy Gardner
8/12/2016 02:10:00 pm
In “A Streetcar Named Desire,” characters Stella and Stanley are in a relationship dictated by gender roles. An article about gender roles states that, “...giving a girl a doll teaches her to care for it and fosters the value of caring for others. When boys receive dolls, they are likely to be action figures designed to bring out the alleged aggressive tendencies in boys”(sparknotes.com 1). Stanley’s character is threatening and violent. He will take charge, confront people and push others’ emotions aside. Stella is the opposite, loving and trusting. She takes others’ feelings into account when communicating. When Stella tries to move away from her assigned roles, Stanley refuses, lashing out. An example of this is when Stella asks him to clean the table. It is written that, “[He hurls a cup and saucer to the floor] My place is cleared! You want me to clear your places?”(Williams 108). This causes an instability in the relationship because Stella is being harmed, but she was taught she needs a male companion, so she does not leave. The two let gender roles control their personalities and lives to a point where it negatively impacts themselves and their relationships.
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kayleigh Murray
8/12/2016 02:41:22 pm
Gender roles play a big part in society and in Tennessee Williams play, “A Streetcar Named Desire.” “A gender role is a set of behaviors, attitudes, and personality characteristics expected and encouraged of a person based on his or her sex” (Sparknotes). One of the main characters in the play, Stanley Kowalski, is a great example of the masculine gender role. Stanley always had to be better and stronger than everybody throughout the play. Stanley always had to have more power over his wife Stella and Stella’s sister Blanche. One night after dinner Stella had asked for Stanley to go and wash his hands than to help clean up the dinner table, Stanley freak out, “Don’t ever talk that way to me! “pig-polack-disgusting-vulgar-greasy!” them kind of words have been on your tongue and your sisters too much around here!... remember what Huey long said- “every man is a king!” and I am the king around here so don’t forget” (Williams 107). He believed that he shouldn’t have to help do that since it was part of the women gender role to cook and clean the house. Stanley following the masculine gender role showed his authority and roughness while raping Blanche. Stanley took his masculine roles very seriously.
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Nicholas Principe
8/12/2016 03:17:58 pm
In society there are many defining features for individuals. One such feature is gender roles, “[gender roles are] a set of behaviors, attitudes, and personality characteristics expected and encouraged of a person based on his or her sex” for instance a man should be dominant and strong, while a woman should be subservient and weak. In the play “A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams, certain characters are portrayed as the typical stereotype, while others attempt to break that preconceived mold, by acting directly opposite. Stanley is the man of the house and he tries to be everything a man should be according to gender roles including being a leader. When his wife’s sister Blanche comes over for a visit, she challenges his leadership, and in doing so challenges his manhood. ”Wasn’t it all okay till she showed here? Hoity-toity, describing me as an ape.”(Williams, 112). This quote shows that Stanley blames Blanche for the shifting roles he is experiencing in his life, and believes she is degrading him by challenging his previously held position as king of his castle. Throughout the play Stanley makes decisions based on his gender role, continually attempting to remain the dominant character, trying to control Blanche, in order to make her leave. In the end Stanley, feeling unable to control her and the situation of losing his dominance, rapes Blanche, thus restablishing, and forcing his dominance over her.
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Jack Farello
8/12/2016 03:24:09 pm
Gender roles play a big part in the play, "A Streetcar Named Desire." It is clear they play a big part in the play based on how the characters act and how situations are handled. Stanley, a main character in the play, shows the true definition of a man. He is very assertive and controlling. Stanley likes to have and show authority over the characters. He shows this by raping Blanche and beating Stella. One quote proving that Stanley and other men typically like to show their authority over females is "The language center in the male brain is usually in the dominant (usually left) hemisphere, whereas females use both hemispheres of the brain to process language." (Sparknotes). This means males are usually looking to take over situations and never look like cowards compared to females. Females, on the other hand, can either be controlling or open to listening to men in certain situations. Another quote proving that Stanley tends to be aggressive to Blanche and other girls is "When boys receive dolls, they are likely to be action figures designed to bring out the alleged aggressive tendencies in boys." (Sparknotes). This means unlike females, who receive dolls show their nurturing skills, it is a different story for males. When males receive dolls (usually action figures) they tend to like to show off how aggressive they can really be. So, they really shows how gender roles play a big part in this play and in real life. Stanley shows the true definition of a man, with his assertive personality, and the act of controlling females.
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Aidan Gilmartin
8/12/2016 03:31:57 pm
In "A Streetcar Named Desire" by Tennessee Williams gender roles are a very important concept that influence the characters in the play. Gender socialization or the tendency for boys and girls to be socialized differently and gender roles influence the desire and behavior of Stanley and Stella in the play. In the play the society they live in influences that boys should be strong, independent, leaders, and of more importance and girls as more weak, dependent, caring, and fragile. These gender roles influence Stanley and Stella especially because of how they learned and grew in society and what they believe the right life style is. In a passage about gender socialization it says, " Boys are raised to conform to the male gender role, and girls are raised to conform to the female gender or role." This means that depending on what society you live in gender roles can shape people to be the way they are. This is true in the play through Stanley and Stella and it influences their behavior and desires in life whether or not it is right or wrong. Stanley acts very manly and always has to be in control in some sort. For example when he rapes Blanche it puts a thought in his mind that he has control of her so she will not get in the way of him and stella. Stella examples this by always going back to Stanley after everything because she is raised to be dependent in a man and pleasure her man and follow the female gender role. On page 72 in the play Stanley and Stella had just fought and Blanche tries to explain that Stanley is an animal and to leave him by saying, "Don't hang back with the brutes" but Stella ignores Blanche and goes to Stanley. This suggests that she is dependent on Stanley and it shows how gender roles influences their live paths. Stanley disliked Blanche because she tried to get in the way of how they live their lives so Stanley raping her and targeting her weaknesses convinces him that he is back in control and that he and Stella can be stereotypical again. The society they live in almost acts as a movie and Stanley and Stella are the actors playing their part and letting the gender stereotypes choose their life path. Gender socialization and roles influence Stanley and Stellas behaviors and desires in life because of their fear of not fulfilling their role in society and being how they were raised.
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Anna Moore
8/12/2016 03:48:10 pm
Gender roles are a natural part of everyone's lives and everybody conforms in some way. Males and females are raised to obtain certain traits and act different in situations Men are expected to be dominant and tough, unlike women who are supposed to be well-mannered and mild. In A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams, two characters clash because of their different personalities. Blanche Dubois is a main character who acts as she is in a high class and wears fancy clothes. She falls into her gender role because she is gentle and dignified. Unlike Blanche, there is Stanley Kowalski who is blunt and engages and male activities like gambling and drinking. He is described as, “Branching out from this complete and satisfying center are all the auxiliary channels of his life, such as his heartiness with men, his appreciation of rough humor, his love of good drink and food…” (Williams 29). Stanley’s manner is quite striking to Blanche who has not experienced this behaviour because of Southern ways. Blanche grew up in the South where attitudes were different than in the city. The influence of cultures is described in the Sparknotes paragraph where it states, “Every culture has different guidelines about what is appropriate for males and females”. Their families taught them to grow up and act differently which leads to Stanley disliking Blanche and considering her fake.As hard as Blanche tried to uphold her pround standings, Stanley could not swallow her behaviour.
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Morgan Sluka
8/12/2016 03:59:00 pm
In the play "A Streetcar Named Desire," gender roles play a big part in the story. By definition gender roles is the expectation of different roles in society based on gender. In this particular situation, the role of the girls here is to cook, clean, and take care of the house. The role in society the male would have is to be the more dominant one, to handle situations, and be the voice. Stella is a character in the play that is conforming to gender roles and was taught to stay as a sensitive person. She is the definition of what society expects from gender roles. Stanley is a character in the story following the male role, being tough and feels that he needs to keep his dominant role against Blanche. This becomes a problem in the story. The gender roles and dominance he wanted created this sense of needing to establish himself in society. This ends with him violating Blanche, and being tough with his wife. Gender roles mesed with both Stanley because of Blanche's constant "challenge" of the gender roles. Gender roles in society is a problem because Stanley went to all lengths to prove his manliness and conform to his gender role, even if it means going to an aggressive, and tough length to show it. If Stella didn't conform to gender roles, she wouldn't feel the need to stay with an abusive person such as Stanley feeling like she would not be in the right role to speak out, and challenge him.
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Aidan Dougherty
8/12/2016 04:16:53 pm
In Tennessee Williams' play "A Streetcar Named Desire", gender roles are a very significant factor in the story. Gender roles are primarily the characteristics and personality traits society expects from each sex. For example, a stereotypical male would be considered big and strong, and rather aggressive or dominant. A stereotypical female however would be considered emotional, dependent and nurturing. These stereotypes are greatly expressed throughout the script of Streetcar. A good example of a typical (speaking in terms of gender roles) character is Stanley. Stanley uses his manly-ness to in other words be the "alpha" of his "territory". When Blanche visits his household and slightly changes Stella's opinion of Stanley, he feels attacked and feels the need to stop Blanche from further disturbing his turf.
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Adeline Monfil
8/12/2016 04:42:02 pm
With a gender title comes a set of rules one should follow. Sparknotes agrees and says, “Boys are raised to conform to the male gender role, and girls are raised to conform to the female gender or role.” (Sparknotes). In ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ by Tennessee Williams, Blanche DuBois, Stella’s sister, only wants to be seen as an attractive woman in society’s eyes. Blanche feels as if a woman should be elegant, youthful, and kind hearted. She’s formed this idea of the perfect woman and is always trying to refine herself so she fits that image. Blanche refuses to talk about her past where she’s an alcoholic and caters to her sexual needs quite often. When meeting her sister for the first time since they’ve lost their family fortune and estate, Blanche says, “And turn that over-light off! Turn that off! I won't be looked at in this merciless glare!” (Williams 19). If she is seen in the light her age will show and people won’t view her as youthful. She also chooses not to tell Mitch her age because she’s afraid that he’ll dislike her. Blanche lies and makes up this perfect world for herself where she gets treated with riches. In the end she ends up going to a mental asylum willingly because of the kindness of a stranger that a woman should accept.
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Helayna Ibrahim
8/12/2016 05:38:25 pm
In the play, “A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams, gender inequality is frequently displayed. This means that men and women are treated differently based on their gender. In this play, men are dominant over women and the genders follow different stereotypes. Williams focuses on this gender struggle using different skills to represent the truths of societies expected actions towards masculinity and femininity. The protagonist Stanley Kowalski represents the stereotypical male within society. Stanley’s masculinity is exaggerated, and he feels that he has to be the dominant person within the house. Stanley has complete power over women, especially Stella, and doesn’t respect her. In the play, the narrator says, “Since earliest manhood, the center of his life has been pleasure with women.” (Williams 4) In this quote, it is shown that Stanely views women as sex objects and other than that, nothing much. He treats his wife along with Blanche with little respect, and even raped Blanche to show his dominance over her. “He sizes women up at a glance, with sexual classifications, crude images flashing into his mind and determining the way he smiles at them.” (Williams 4) Once again, it is shown that he objectifies women and sees them as an aspect of pleasure. Another character that follows gender inequality and follows stereotypes set by society is Stella Kowalski, Stanley’s wife. During the time the play was written, it was expected of men to bring home the money and work, while the women clean the house and cook. When Stanley gets in a big fight with Stella and breaks the plates when she told him to clean his plate and called him a pig, Stella was expected to clean the mess. Also, when Stanley throws the meat at Stella in scene 1, it is symbolic that he brought home the “kill” for his wife to cook. This play brings to light many of the truths as to society’s actions towards men and women and the stereotypes surrounding them.
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Isaiah Campos
8/12/2016 06:01:23 pm
As we already know, Stanley Kowalski in “ A Streetcar Named Desire” , is an aggressive and really intimidating character throughout the play. He rapped his wife’s sister
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Gianna Pallante
8/12/2016 06:02:34 pm
The play “A Streetcar Named Desire” written by Tennessee Williams follows a coupe named Stella and Stanley who receive an unexpected visit from Stella’s sister Blanche. Stanley and Stella’s toxic relationship thrives off of the gender roles that they are both accustomed to. Stanley believes that he is the dominant figure, and treats Stella as if she is lesser than him. Stella allows Stanley to act as the dominant figure in their relationship because that is what expected of a female. Stanley acts cruel and Stella allows him to do so, never correcting him when he behaves or treats her poorly. Stanley and Stella both conform to their gender roles, or " a set of behaviors, attitudes, and personality characteristics expected and encouraged of a person based on his or her sex,” according to a summary of the sociological study of gender. If it were not for them both conforming to their own gender roles, their relationship would not last. In scene 2 of the novel , Stella tells Stanley to come outside with her. He replies with, “Since when do you give me orders?” (Williams 37). Here, he is implying that he usually gives the orders in the house, as a stereotypical male would. During scene 4, Blanche and Stella are discussing a fight Stella previously had with Stanley. During their fight, Stanley attacked Stella, hitting her. Although many may view this as morally wrong, Stella was okay with the treatment she received from her husband. On the other hand, Blanche is strongly against the way Stanley treats Stella. When Blanche tells Stella this, she replies with, “Then don’t you think your superior attitude is a bit out of place?” (Williams 71). She says this as if Blanche should have an inferior attitude, since acting as if you are superior does not meet the female gender role. In scene 8, Stella asks Stanley to help her clear the table. He begins to throw the plates on the floor, showing that he does not listen to his wife, since he acts as if he is superior. Throughout the rest of the play, Stella allows Stanley to yell at her and doesn’t defend herself. She treats Stanley as if he is superior, and he treats her as if she is inferior.
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Tamia Waddy
8/12/2016 06:07:28 pm
Gender roles have shaped society in ways we don’t realize. It exists in the simple way that a girl is given a doll for her birthday instead of a toy car. It exists in the way a baby boy wears blue instead of pink. In times before this, a lot was expected of women. They were expected to be fragile and slim. They had to be caring, kind, and emotional. They stayed home, they didn’t work and relied on men to take care of them. In other words, they were completely dependent on their spouse or the opposite gender. In modern times, this isn’t accepted as a social normality any longer. However, in ‘A Streetcar Named Desire,” Stella, Stanley’s wife and Blanche’s sister, fits the ‘perfect woman’ very well.
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Katherine Smith
8/12/2016 06:09:19 pm
Blanche typifies the feminine profile at this time in America. She comes across as gentle, frail, and helpless. I don't think this is actually who she is. She does what she wants and manipulates people. She says, "I've always relied on the kindness of strangers", implying the she is needy and weak. She is disappointed in her sister's choice for a husband. Blanche recalls how wonderful everything was when she and her sister were children. Her family had a plantation and were very comfortable. Unfortunately for the sisters, the family's money was lost and it had a tremendous impact in their futures. When referring to her sister's husband, Stanley, Blanche says, "Oh, I guess he's just not the type that goes for Jasmine perfume but maybe he's what we need to mix with our blood now that we've lost Belle Reve." She feels that her sister, Stella, married beneath her station in life but now, since they are no longer privileged children, they must learn to live a lesser lifestyle.
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Michael Dandrea
8/12/2016 06:18:21 pm
Stanley is a character in Tennessee Williams play "A Streetcar Named Desire" who wants to conform to the gender roles of society so he feels that he has lived up to what is expected of him. He is always aggressive and wants to be the leader of every interaction he has with a person. Towards the beginning of the play, when he looses his temper and attacks Stella, he becomes aggressive towards Blanche because she took Stella and kept her out of his reach. "Eunice, ill keep on ringing until I talk with my baby!" (Williams, 65) This quote shows that Because he thinks he is in Control, Stanley needs to find a way to take revenge on Blanche.
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John O'Leary
8/12/2016 06:30:13 pm
Tennessee Williams' play, "A Streetcar Named Desire" shows most main characters following strict gender roles. One character that has allowed their dependent nature to control them is Stella, Blanche DuBois' sister. Throughout the play, Stella is seen to blindly her husband through thick and thin. Even when he practically ruined her sister's last chance at happiness, she shrugs it off because she doesn't want to lose him. Stella's gender role as a woman is to rely on others than yourself and to listen to men. Even when Stanley abused her during a poker party, she was the one to explain to Blanche why it was okay, explained by this quote, "He didn't know what he was doing... He was as good as a lamb when I came back." (Williams 63). Stella is shown to allow her husband to treat her like a rag doll because she believes he's always right, another role imposed on women. However, near the end of the play, Stella realizes how she's been manipulated by her husband, acknowledging her mistake saying "Oh, God, what have I done to my sister?" (Williams 141). Stella was controlled by one of her gender roles, to always depend on someone else, which she was most likely taught by society. Her dependent nature allowed her to turn a blind eye towards her sister's abuse and outcries. Gender roles can have cataclysmic effects on people's behavior.
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Patrick Sullivan
8/12/2016 06:42:26 pm
From a young age people may be taught that they are different from everyone else, but even though we are different we can be alike. For example, men are thought of as being more powerful, aggressive, and dominant. This claim of men having these traits is shown in the book, A Streetcar Named Desire. The main character that shows the characteristics of a man is Stanley. Even though he is very different from others, he does seem to fall under the traits of a male. For example, Steve asks if they were going to play poker the following night and Stanley said to play at Mitch’s, but Mitch said they couldn’t play at his house because his mother’s still sick. Then Stanley said “Okay at my place...but you bring the beer.”(Williams 28). This shows how Stanley is being aggressive because since his plan of playing at Mitch’s house didn’t work, he immediately assigned Mitch to bring beer. Another way Stanley shows the traits of a man is when Blanche arrives. When she arrived, he asked her many questions like ‘What do you teach, Blanche?”(Williams 30). Normally whoever is asking the questions in a conversation is leading it. This shows how Stanley is being more dominant which shows how he fits the characteristic of a man.
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Tyler Schwinn
8/12/2016 06:46:47 pm
In "A Streetcar Named Desire" by Tennisee Williams, the characters in the story show prominent traits that are often stereotypically shown in their gender. Oftentimes throughout the story, it seems that characters act a certain way in order to conform to the standards for their gender set by society. Stanley Kowalski, often drunk and often violent, is one of the best examples of characters showing gender roles in the play. When asked to clear the table, Stanley outrageously exclaims, "Every man is a king! And I am the king around here, so don't forget it(Williams 107)! Stanley, being a male, constantly feels the need to be in charge and the dominant and aggressive one in his partnership with Stella. Therefore, when faced with a request from a female, who he sees should be doing the housework and cleaning, Stanley outbursts with violence and aggressive language. Stanley defines many of the traits associated with male gender roles, including aggressiveness, loud mouthed, and sexually intimacy. When faced with a problem in his relationship, Stanley thinks anything can be solved with sexual pleasure. When Stella begins to get angry at Stanley for the way he is acting, Stanley says, "You remember that way that it was? Them nights we had together" (Williams 109)? This displays the male gender roles that say that men are constantly sexually charged and are not very often seen reasoning out problems are rationally thinking problems out. Instead, men are quick to solve things with violence or sexual pleasure.
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Catherine Tierney
8/12/2016 06:55:37 pm
A fascinating aspect of Tennessee Williams's A Streetcar Named Desire is the study of how gender roles affect the actions and behaviors of the characters. Perhaps Tennesse William’s own experience as a child affects his character portrayal. Raised by a masculine, hard drinking and aggressive father and a mentally ill, submissive and dependant mother, his gender role worldviews were firmly cemented at a young age. He experienced that “boys are raised to conform to the male gender role, and girls were raised to conform to the female gender role.”(Sparknotes). Personally he struggled, as many of his character traits did not conform to masculine behavior. He was a shy and fragile child who struggled with his sexuality, bohemian lifestyle and mental illness. His experience colored how his characters are portrayed. As he sees traditional gender roles as intrinsic and natural, but openly explores how some characters are “nurtured” by experience. When we first meet Blanche she is the epitome of southern charm and manners. Portrayed as delicate, refined, moral, and used to a certain set of standards. She exclaims, “I’ve got to keep hold of myself”(Williams 18) when she sees the living conditions of Stella and Stanley’s apartment, pushing away the feminine feelings of emotionality and dependence. Blanche pretends to be a woman who has never known indignity, but her behavior betrays her. Losing a husband to suicide, losing her family fortune, being indescriminate sexually and drinking abundantly has clouded her feminine stance. She pins her last hope of being “rescued’ on Shep Huntleigh, and later Mitch, in an attempt to be rescued and cared for. Her vanity and dependence leaves her in a fantasy world, which is shattered when she is sexually abused by Stanley, and it is clear she will never recover. The character Blanche is seeped in traditional feminine stereotypes, which is unfortunately became her downfall.
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Gillian Andresen
8/12/2016 06:58:27 pm
It can be said that in this day in age gender roles are viewed as extremely misogynistic, but in the era of “A Streetcar Named Desire” the playwright, Tennessee Williams, knew they were acceptable. The characters all seem to conform to their stereotypical roles. Stanley, the lead male of the play, can be viewed as aggressive, bossy, and controlling. When thinking of Stanley the idea of “man of the house” comes to mind. He is the spitting image of masculinity. “When boys receive dolls, they are likely to be action figures designed to bring out the alleged aggressive tendencies in boys” (SparkNotes: Gender Socialization). Stanley has some extremely aggressive tendencies. He has poker nights with his friends every once in a while. One poker night Stella, Stanley’s wife, tries telling all of the men to leave their home because it is late. In Stanley’s drunken state, he promptly hits her and is then restrained by his friends. While he is being held he utters the words, “Let the rut go of me, you sons of bitches” (Williams 58). His rage comes out in several ways throughout the course of the play. Another example is when he is told to clear his place at the table by Blanche, his sister-in-law. Clearly the cleaning of the dinner table is the job of a woman, so when he is told to take care of his plate he abruptly throws it on the ground. Stanley is a manipulative, stubborn, angry man who gets what he wants and the male gender role adds a large layer to his character.
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Sophie Pouso
8/12/2016 07:03:14 pm
Men and Women throughout time are expected to live up to certain gender roles forced upon them by society. Society as a whole expects males and females to be raised and treated differently. “A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams depicts characters who are trying conform to the gender socialization surrounding them. The character Stanley Kowalski is constantly displaying the stereotypical behavior and mindset of the male gender role. Boys are raised with education, sports, and toys meaning to “bring out the alleged aggressive tendencies in boys” (sparknotes). Stanley views himself as the powerful alpha male in the household. His wife, Stella, begins to take more control of the house and instructs Stanley to do things, which leads him to become extremely aggressive. For example, while Stanley and Stella are fighting he yells comments such as “So you want some rough-house! All right, let’s have some rough-house!” (Williams 130) as he flips a table and grabs her arms. Actions and like these are in an attempt to show that the male, Stanley, is strong and dominant compared to the female. When Blanche comes into the picture, Stanley feels his gender role is being threatened. He rapes her, which shows his superiority over her and his superiority as a male. Stanley does not want to feel submissive to the females in his life. Stanley is fixated on meeting the socially accepted way males are to conduct themselves. Gender socialization dictates most of the characters actions and their views on situations in the novel, “A Streetcar Named Desire”.
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Aislinn Butler
8/12/2016 07:05:59 pm
In the play A Streetcar Named Desire there is a large focus on the way Stella behaves around her husband Stanley. Her behavior shows how much we are affected by gender roles. One gender role that women face is that the wife is the submissive one in the relationship. This is showed when Stanley hits Stella and she doesn’t do anything to fight it. Stella says, “When men are drinking and playing poker anything can happen… He didn't know what he was doing.” (WIlliams, 63) Stella continues to defend her husband, and she doesn’t want to believe he is wrong. Stanley also follows gender roles. A man is supposed to be aggressive and angry according to gender roles, and Stanley shows that through his abuse. Blanche says, “Stella, watch out, he’s -- [Stanley charges after Stella]” (Williams, 57) Stanley is playing his role by being aggressive and abusive, becoming angry at the littlest things. Gender roles exist, no matter how much we don’t want to believe they are there.
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Christina W.
8/12/2016 07:11:24 pm
In the play "A Streetcar Named Desire", written by Tennessee Williams, expresses the stereotypes that a male is supposed to be strong, not emotional, and sometimes cruel. However, when Blanche's previous husband came out as being homosexual, he shattered that stereotype. Blanche, clearly did not understand her husband's homosexuality. Her husband was hurt and felt unaccepted. Therefore, he decided to take his own life. Never would Blanche have thought her words would hurt him so much, for he was a man and therefore was supposed to be strong and not emotional. According to Blanche, "boys are responsible for [being strong]" (Williams 54). However, if Blanche and society was right, how could a man get so emotional that he felt like ending his life? Isn't emotion only a woman's reaction? Therefore, everyone has feelings; everyone gets emotional about their life, despite their gender. Having society's stereotype stuck in Blanche's head did not help her or her husband when she found "the boy [she] had married and an older man who had been his friend for years" (Williams 95) and finally figured out her husband's sexuality. Blanche might have accepted her husband's choice, instead of causing him to commit suicide, without the influence of society. Over all, the power of stereotypes is remarkably strong; no gender, male or female, should be forced to act a certain way. They should simply be who they are and society should let them be.
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Shea Grant
8/12/2016 07:26:43 pm
“A gender role is a set of behaviors, attitudes, and personality characteristics expected and encouraged of a person based on his or her sex” (Sparknotes, 1). In the play ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ by Tennessee Williams, gender stereotypes and their defects are explored through characterization. I believe that Stella and Blanche’s relationship is hindered by both of their admittance to conforming to gender stereotypes. In different ways, both sisters fall victim to clutching to their set stereotypes. Blanche is an obvious candidate for this, with her desire to be thought of as young, beautiful, sophisticated, and fragile. However, Stella conforms to the wife’s intense dependence on the husband in many situations. I find it interesting how Blanche is seen as crazy and bipolar throughout the novel, she does display some of these characteristics but- she is sometimes considered mentally unstable for reasons that would not normally deem a person mentally unstable. Blanche’s contradictory statement to Stella’s excuses for Stanley in scene four is particularly intriguing. Stella says “he was as good as a lamb when I came back and he’s really very, very ashamed of himself” and then Blanche states “and that- that makes it alright?” (72). This particular conversation shows Blanche defying her gender stereotype and being independent. Stella does not agree, but it’s interesting that the more stereotypical of the two stands up for herself. The gender stereotypes make Stella and Blanche’s relationship difficult because Blanche can’t manage to tell the truth in sake of her own image. Stella refuses to stick up for Blanche in front of her husband and this distances the two even more. Their relationship cannot function and is irredeemably broken by the end of the play. Stella sends Blanche to a mental asylum and Blanche cannot say goodbye. The pride in the comfort of their own chosen attribute of their gender stereotype separates the two and causes them to become something close to strangers at the end of their character arcs.
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Raymond Forbes
8/12/2016 07:28:32 pm
In Tennessee William's "Street Car Named Desire" gender roles are very important. Stella's sister Blanche tries to fit the standards of what she believes is a perfect woman. She tries to make herself look as attractive as possible. She takes many baths a day and she also is extremely flirtatious with almost all men. "A gender role is a set of behaviors, attitudes, and personality characteristics expected and encouraged of a person based on his or her sex."(sparknotes). This quote by sparknotes shows how men and women are taught to behave a certain way. Blanche takes this idea of acting as female as possible to the extreme. She constantly is trying to look as attractive as she can and seduce men, at the same time she acts weak. I believe this leads to her rape. It is not surprising that because of her flirtatious behavior that a manly-man want-to-be like Stanley takes advantage of her and rapes her. Blanche ends up realizing that she cannot live up to the standards of the perfect woman that she wants to be which leads to her self confidence deteriorating which I believe is another reason she was raped. She was a weak and easy target. Gender roles lead to Blanche falling apart and her being raped.
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Heather O'Donnell
8/12/2016 07:30:16 pm
A gender role is "a set of behaviors, attitudes, and personality characteristics expected and encouraged of a person based on his or her sex" (Gender Socialization, SparkNotes). Throughout history, males and females have led their lives based on what society expects of them and still do. For example, there are more males in careers that require a lot of math and science, such as engineering and computer science, since they are believed to be more logical and analytical than females. However, there are more females in careers that require caring for others, such as social work and nursing, since they are believed to be more compassionate and kind than males. This issue of gender inequality is prevalent in A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams. The play centers around Stanley Kowalski and his wife, Stella, two people who are struggling to determine who they really are but influenced by society's ideas. Stanley displays the traits of a stereotypical male: dominant, aggressive, and tough. He is controlling, cruel, and abusive towards Stella, at one point even hitting her. He cares more about his poker parties than he does about his own wife. Despite all this, Stella continues to be nurturing to him, doing all the cooking and cleaning without any gratitude. After Stanley hits her, she says to her sister, Blanche, "People have got to tolerate each other's habits, I guess" (65). It is shown through this quote that Stella is weak, insecure, and accepting: the typical female. Society has locked many people, not just Stella and Stanley, into being who they are supposed to be, instead of just themselves. If Stanley had talked about what was bothering him instead of unfairly taking it out on Stella, the two would have a much better relationship. If Stella learned to stand up for herself and not let Stanley push her over, they would respect each other more. It is said that opposites attract, but that is not true in this case. There should never be an imbalance of power in a relationship. Unfortunately, gender roles have already been clearly expressed through society and they have had a detrimental effect on Stella and Stanley.
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Jordan Campanella
8/12/2016 07:33:34 pm
According to sparknotes, a gender role is a set of behaviors, attitudes, and personality characteristics expected and encouraged of a person based on his or her sex. For example, women are thought of as submissive, dependent, and non-aggressive where as men are thought of as dominant, independent, and aggressive. Gender role plays a big part in the play, "A Streetcar Named Desire". The main character, Stanley, shows these characteristics throughout the play. He acts dominant in his relationship with Stella, his wife. He even states "I am the king around here" (Williams 107). Stella allows Stanley to be dominant in the relationship because that is whats expected of the female. Gender role is still a problem today. People are always being told what to wear, what to say, and how to act.
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Shealyn Russell
8/12/2016 07:42:13 pm
In the play " A Streetcar Named Desire" by Tennessee Williams, gender roles are very much present.Men are supposed to be dominant and women are supposed to be submissive.In the play, a man named Stanley yearns for dominance and went as far as abusing his wife Stella and raping her sister Blanche. Stella feels like she can't do anything about it and regardless she still loves him and shows that she is submissive as she thought she should be.
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Page Lootsma
8/12/2016 07:44:07 pm
In the play, A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams, characters Stanley and Blanche conform to their respective gender expectations in very extreme fashions. Even from the first scene of the play, the audience immediately identifies Stanley as the quintessential “alpha male.” In Scene One, when Stanley discovers that Blanche is staying with him and Stella, he asserts his dominance by riddling her with questions. By asking Blanche questions such as “do you mind if I make myself comfortable?” (Williams 30), Stanley is asserting himself as the one who is in charge of controlling the conversation and the atmosphere. Additionally, the fact that Stanley feels the need to assert himself as the dominant figure within his first conversation with Blanche shows that he not only enjoys being dominant, but that he is also used to having dominance, and is comfortable with letting other people know this. Stanley’s dominance corresponds perfectly with the traditional male stereotype of being in charge and taking the lead role. While Stanley desires to be in control, Blanche strives to be clean, well dressed, and sociable. In the same scene as when Stanley asserts his dominance, Blanche attempts to socialize with Stanley and assume the gender-typical role of a woman. When Stanley claims that, “comfortable is [his] motto,” Blanche responds by claiming “it’s [her motto] too” and that “it’s hard to stay looking fresh. I haven’t even washed or powdered my face” (Williams 30). Not only does this show that Blanche is attempting to socialize with Stanley, but also that she thinks she needs to be well dressed and clean in order to be presentable. These are traditionally roles and ideals held by women, and Blanche attempts to fulfill them. However, as Stanley discovers, these qualities are just a façade that hides something much deeper within. Under the mask of the stereotypical feminine role, Blanche conceals the fact that she is actually a deceitful person—the opposite of the female stereotype she is trying to convey. In accordance with the stereotypical dominant male role, Stanley takes it upon himself to address Blanche in a cruel fashion by kicking her out of the house and physically asserting himself as he sees fit. Although Blanche lies to and deceives people throughout the play, Stanley’s obsessive dominant nature crosses the line and ends up abusing and hurting Blanche in a way far worse than any of Blanche’s lies could hurt or abuse anyone.
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Claire Lynch
8/12/2016 07:44:42 pm
In "A Streetcar Named Desire," everything the characters did and acted like depended on their gender. In relationships it was very clear what the female and male had to act like. "Gender socialization is the tendency for boys and girls to be socialized differently. Boys are raised to conform to the male gender role and girls are raised to conform to the female gender or role." (Sparknotes). An example in Tennessee Williams play, "A Streetcar Named Desire," is Stanley and Stella's relationship. It follows very specific gender roles. Stanley is violent, tough, and has a job. He even beats his wife and rapes her sister to try and prove that he is the dominant one in the relationship. On the other hand Stella lets Stanley take advantage of her and never sticks up for herself. She doesn't believe she has a voice in anything regarding their marriage. This is not what married life should be like.
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Julia Rousseau
8/12/2016 08:05:06 pm
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Marc Brewer
8/12/2016 08:07:42 pm
Gender stereotypes are a very important issue in the past few decades. As many people strive to break these beliefs and strengthen gender equality. Tennessee Williams shows how these stereotypes can be used and effect those who have these stereotypes pushed upon them. "A Streetcar Named Desire" Stanley sees these stereotypes as natural law in which all genders must submit to. He exhibits these male stereotypes to make himself dominant of his "territory". He exerts this aura, I am bigger than you are, I am stronger than you are, I am GREATER than you are, because I am the Man of this household. However this is not what is suggested by his physical appearance, "Stanley throws the screen door of the kitchen open and comes in. He is of medium height, about five feet eight or nine, and strongly, compactly built,"(Williams 24). Stanley uses these stereo types to control and mold his wife, almost forcing her to depend on him. He also uses these stereotypes to control his friends thoughts as well his control gives him the power he works for, demands for, he seeks to be seen as the alpha male of his pack in his "territory". One of his friends is Mitch, he and Blanche form a relationship which seems strong; until Stanley poisons Mitch's thoughts. She isn't what a true women should be she doesn't abide by the laws set forth by the stereotypes he relies on so heavily. Mitch begins to believe that Blanche is exactly what Stanley wants him to; immoral, corrupt, "I don't think I want to marry you anymore... you're not clean enough to bring in the house with my mother,"(William 150). After he had brainwashed his friends and wife, Blanche was pushed out of the picture, for she could not fit into the system Stanley had meticulesly put in place. He had solidified his rule over his household and friends, his strong following of these stereotypes which lost popularity as the years went by.
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Harrison Jones
8/12/2016 08:07:49 pm
A gender role is a close knit set of what we know as normal moods and actions that dictate someone based on their gender. In Tennessee Williams' 'A Streetcar Named Desire', Stanley is well aware and very responsive to the gender roles he has been taught. However, there are a few instances where he can not deal with the rules placed on him. One behavior generally placed on men, which Stanley's friends manage to comply with, is maintaining one's composure. When Stanley hears rhumba music booming over the radio he yells back at Stella and Blanche to turn it off. Steve and Pablo, Stanley's pals, manage to keep their calm and tell Stanley to calm down. Stanley remembers the rules, and does his best to not freak out, and shuts off the radio. "Stanley jumps up and, crossing to the radio, turns it off." Later in the story we know Stanley has quite the temper, so it is easy to understand how it took a decent amount of self control to have Stanley confine himself to this trait. However when it is turned on again, Stanley cannot contain himself, "She turns the knobs on the radio and it begins to play … Stanley stalks fiercely though the portieres into the bedroom … With a shouted oath, he tosses the instrument out the window." In this dramatic act of defiance Stanley refuses to keep his composure and demands to be listened to, showing how this time, he will not act how he is told. But while not conforming to one trait, he is at the same time showing his aggressiveness and strength as he stalks through the hall and with 'a shouted oath' easily tosses the instrument out the window. So while Stanley made not like certain roles he is given, he can not help but unknowingly employ other traits that define him as a man. This leads to him overall being feared by his friends as strong and aggressive, however also being known as having a heart that is filled with emotions, good and bad. These traits he conforms to and some not, lead him to crumble outside his front door screaming for his wife back and letting anyone who wants to listen that he truly loves her. However they also manage manipulate him to shame her, and occasionally hurt her. After displaying his affection, these traits of his gender role must be very powerful to manipulate his feelings and love.
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Bella Ybarra
8/12/2016 08:11:47 pm
At an early age, children are taught to obey gender rules by playing with specific toys and dressing a certain way. Girls are taught to play with dolls to teach them nurturing qualities, whereas boys are taught to bring out their agression with toys such as action figures or monster trucks. It is even said that ". . . females seem to have stronger communication skills and relish interpersonal communication more than males." This is shown in the novel, "A Streetcar Named Desire" by Tennessee Williams within the character Stella. Stella was given out to believe that a woman should obey her husband, cook for him, surpass his agression, and hereby take care of him and give him what he wants. Stella's husband abuses both Stella and her sister, Blanche. Stella and her husband will fight, then sleep together to make everything seem better and normal. The lack of respect in relationships like this are repulsive, but gender roles and standards in society have let it happen. Stella says to Blanche, "But there are things that happen between a man and a woman in the dark - that sort of make everything else seem - unimportant" (Williams 81). Accepting her husband's aggression, acting like a mother, and just dealing with it all was seen as the social norm for Stella. But, alas, that is no way to treat a person, for a little love can go a long way and isn't difficult to give out.
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Grace Noglows
8/12/2016 08:16:41 pm
Gender roles are very important to some people in life. Some feel that they can be nothing other than what there gender tells them to be. In the summary of the sociological study of gender it says that, “the language center in the male brain is usually in the dominant (usually left) hemisphere”. Males tend to believe that they have to take charge and act as if they make the decisions. In the play, A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams, Stanley acts this role. He tends to be a little bit more violent than the other men. It says that “[Stanley charges after stella]” (Williams 57). He is frustrated with her. The men tell him to “take it easy” (Williams 57). Stanley definitely believes that he is dominant.
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Penelope Buchanan
8/12/2016 08:21:34 pm
In Tennessee William's play "A Streetcar Named Desire", there are countless gender roles depicted, both masculine and feminine. One of the most extreme instances of gender socialization is shown in the relationship with Stella and Stanley. Stanley, being the male, feels that he must always hold the power in the relationship. When the two get in a heated argument, Stanley throws a radio out the window, aggressively approaches Stella, and then "There [was] the sound of a blow" (Williams 57), which means that he hit her. This shows that when there is a problem, Stanley uses agression to solve it. In his mind, there is no problem with hitting her because he is a man and men are mean't to be violent and aggressive, but that is not always the case. Men do not and should not always be the dominant gender, yet Stanley yearns for the power over Stella that aggression and violence give him As for Stella, she follows the female gender role. In just the beginning of the book, the readers are shown a example of a huge stereotype for woman; the kitchen. Stella is seen as the happy wife who stays at home, and when her husband comes home he is expecting dinner. Stella is also depicted as very submissive. After Stanley beats her, she justifies it by saying that " he didn't know what he was doing" (Williams 63). She gives in to his dominance. When she lets Stanley control her like that, she is not only giving in to the weak feminine stereotype, but she is also giving up her independence.
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Brylin Barnes
8/12/2016 08:33:52 pm
Based on Sparknotes, a gender role is a set of behaviors, attitudes, and personality characteristics based on his or her sex. In the play, "A Streetcar Named Desire" by Tennessee Williams,some characters are based on traditional gender stereotypes and considered normal, while some aren't so typical and considered crazy or ill. Two main characters are Stanley and Stella. Stanley is your typical male role, aggressive, dominant, cruel and tough. Meanwhile his wife Stella is your typical female role, not aggressive, submissive, kind and gentle. Stella's sister Blanche, is different than Stella because she is not your typical female. Blanche shows signs of female and male gender stereotypes. Blanche is a fair, emotional, and kind women, she is also not easily influenced and stands up in what she believes even if it is wrong. These are characteristics of both female and male typical stereotypes. As Blanche stands up to Stanley, which no one ever does, he feels his manly power over everyone being threatened. Therefore he says "I am the king around here" (Williams 107) then rapes Blanche. Even after Blanche told Stella what happened, she refused to believe her. By the end of the play, doctors came and took Blanche away because she did not act like the typical female role model. Being not the typical female or male does not make one less of what they really are. It's okay to break the roles and not follow the traditional gender stereotypes.
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Murray Elinson
8/12/2016 08:42:35 pm
Gender stereotypes can impact and influence people’s decisions and actions so that they attempt live up to those expectations of his/her gender role. In the play, “A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams, many characters are affected by gender stereotypes. The expectations of males is that they are supposed to be strong, dominant, and composed. One specific character, Stanley, always conforms his behavior to try to be the typical male stereotype. This is shown when Stanley meets Blanche for the first time, and Stanley tries to be the dominate man the conversation between them. Stanley walks in and Blanche acknowledges him and introduces herself. Immediately Stanley asks “Stella’s sister?”, as their conversation continues, almost every line Stanley asks a question making him composed and rigid (Williams 29). These questions make Stanley in control of the conversation showing that he tries to behave like a typical male who is supposed to be dominant. Stanley puts up an act all the time to be the expected man in control but he loses his composure when he does not get to be the man he says he is. For example, during poker night Stanley hits Stella (Stanley’s wife), and Blanche (Stella’s sister) takes Stella to the neighbors. Stanley loses all composure when he loses control over Stella, and he breaks down yelling for “Stell-lahhhhh” (59). Once Stella returns, he gains control again by charming her with sex. This shows that Stanley is actually not like the typical composed man all the time, and this shows that Stanley acts composed and strong to fit his gender role. Another example of Stanley being obsessed with his gender role is when he tries to be in control of Stella when they have an argument. Stella was angry that Stanley was being cruel to Blanche and he tries to gain her trust again, “You loved it, having them colored lights going”, then he blames Blanche to make himself not look bad, “Wasn’t it all okay till she showed here?” (112). Stanley takes complete control over Stella by manipulating her into thinking that Stanley is not bad. He acts like a dominate man due to his obsession of being that aspect of his gender role. Overall, Stanley acts strong, aggressive, controlling and much more, to fit the stereotype of a man and this obsession ends up defining him as a stereotypical man.
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John Tuohy
8/12/2016 08:46:32 pm
In Tennessee William's play, A Streetcar Named Desire, gender roles control most of the dynamics that play out between the main cast of characters. Mostly all of the characters adhere to these old fashioned gender roles which were the norm at the time, but somewhat feel outdated by today's standards. The characters of Stella and Stanley Kowalski. A way gender roles play a part in their relationship is how Stanley is more dominant than Stella. For example, "Sounds of blows are heard. The water goes on full tilt," (Williams 59) as Mr. Kowalski hits his wife after he is frustrated in a game of poker. This shows the olden gender role of men being more dominant than women. And in this case, Stanley takes his anger out on Stella after Blanche keeps the radio turned on. A display of "dominance" like this is far too extreme and should never happen between a married couple. But Stanley's uber masculinity and macho nature allow it to happen, and in front of of his cohorts no less. This showing of domestic violence proves Stanley's dominant nature and "shows he is a man" in his mind. In reality this act is cruel and would be much less tolerated nowadays. After she has been struck, Stella flees the flat and goes to Eunice's apartment. There Stanley begs for Stella to come back, even going so far as to get on his hands and knees and shout at the top of his lungs. At first Stella resists Mr. Kowalski's primal calls, but soon she gives in. Stella then "slips down the rickety stairs in her robe... They stare at each other. Then they come together with low animal moans." (Williams 60) With this scene of an abusive couple's embrace, Stella proves her gender role by showing her submissive side. After the painful and pathetic screams of her abusive lover rattle the flat, she finally gives in to his beastly grasp. Mr. Kowalski is a borderline alcoholic who hits his wife and brings his roudy friends over to his house frequently for late poker nights in their crammed flat; to come crawling back to someone like that is astounding. This just proves Stella's gender role as the more submisssive part of the whole. These characters fixation on being tough and/or being loyal both puts them at a fault. Stanley's need to live up to his manliness and greek god physicue require him to get drunk and hurt people around him. And Stella's need to give in to Stanley and remain loyal lead her to become entaglened in an abusive relationship with a dangerous man. Both people try to live up to posiitons that only show how weak they are. This desire to live up to what society wants men and womento be like is as old as a streetcar that will come and go and do the smae job its always done, until someone comes along and replaces it with a new and improved ideal.
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Nicholette Glenn
8/12/2016 08:52:03 pm
Stanley Kowalski, as stated in “A StreetCar Named Desire” himself is that average proud American guy. As the play progressed each character showed more of who they were on a personal note. Stanley especially, only because he seemed exactly what he was engineered to be. Referring to the sociology source; usually when you think of the male species you expect to see them as very masculine, bold, or aggressive. Sensing some sort of dominance over someone or something. For example, Stella his wife. In every situation involving her sister Blanche he’d be so aggressive towards the topic of her. He’d seem to get his hands on something to take the anger or frustration out on. Not only when the topic of discussion was her sister. In my opinion there were many occasions where it seemed he didn’t have total control and had to show some sort of dominance. “He advances and disappears. There is the sound of a blow.” Now before he took it upon himself to slap her, she was actually judging the mental and somewhat physical state he was in. (Considering he was drunk). At that moment he probably felt like she was degrading the place he supposedly holds as a male. The slap to me symbolizes the power he has over her or any female for that matter.
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Jacob Swartz
8/12/2016 08:53:15 pm
Throughout society's past and present, Gender Socialization's have occurred very frequently. In Tennessee Williams's "Streetcar Named Desire," the characters play the roles of their stereotypical genders. However two characters stick out the most to me; Stella and Stanley. As they both live with each other, Stanley defines himself as the "Alpha Man." while Stella is more of the submissive lady of the household. "Stanley doesn't give me a regular allowance, he likes to pay his own bills, but--he gave me ten dollars to smooth things over (Williams 68)." This piece of dialogue from scene four is right after the couple had a big fight, in which Stanley asserted his dominance over Stella with brute force. After the fight, Stella forgives Stanley, and because Stanley is the only one in their relationship who works he insists on paying the bills. So he has the ability to take control of most of her life, and decides to reward her with a special bit of money to 'make everything better.' As you read this play you notice many gender role related occurrences. "A gender role is a set of behaviors, attitudes, and personality characteristics expected and encouraged of a person based on his or her sex (Sparknotes-Socialization)." This role has risen many times between Stanley and Stella, however for the most part it didn't stop them from loving each other. Especially because this was just the inevitable back then. There was no way to stop those around you from becoming what the world always meant for them to be.
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Maddie Stout
8/12/2016 08:56:11 pm
In the play, A Streetcar Named Desire, the character Stanley's gender roles are the most prominent. He tended to have quite an aggressive and dominant personality in relationship to females. Society's gender stereotypes probably rubbed off on his behavior. For example, "[Boys] are often sent out of class as disruptive"(Sparknotes) is an assumption made by society that boys are supposed to be wild than girls. This may have been what caused Stanley to think of himself as the powerful man of the house and that the women around him should have absolutely no control over him. He does not tolerate when a woman tries to make big decisions. He also solves his problems by abusing his wife and her sister. When Blanche says, "He acts like an animal, has an animal's habits!"(Willams pg 83) it shows that Stanley's barbaric tendencies are very apparent and should not be taken so lightly. If the world hadn't created these moulds of gender roles, no one would have had to conform to their sex's standards.
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Hailey Chace
8/12/2016 09:01:52 pm
In life gender roles tell people who they are, will be, and what ways they should act. Most dominate gender roles are for men. Usually women are not associated with dominate gender roles and not seen as important. This can be shone in the gender socialization article when the author says "The language center in the male brain is usually in the dominant (usually left) hemisphere, whereas females use both hemispheres of the brain to process language." This shows that males are more likely to take control in situations and overpower women. In A Streetcar Named Desire male dominance can be shone when Stanley "attacks" Blanche at the end of scene ten. Stanley says "we've had this date with each other from the beginning! [she moans. the bottle top falls. She sinks to her knees. He picks up her inert figure and carries her to the bed.]"(Williams 130). In this scene Stanley takes control and forces himself on Blanche, leaving her defenseless. Overall, gender roles are an important theme in A Streetcar Named Desire, because without them some characters would not be perceived the correct way. Which would be that males have more control over females.
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Alex Wark
8/12/2016 09:30:24 pm
After reading the summary of the sociological study of gender. I chose to focus on blanches career choice. Its is apparent in the novel that Blanche didn't want to be a school teacher because it isn't the right occupation for a southern belle. When blanche tells her sister Stella the unfortunate loos of Belle Reves, Blanche makes it clear that her occupation wasn't a desirable one;" And with my pitiful salary at the school..." (williams 27). Here Blanche is trying to defend herself for the loss of Belle Reves which is the ultimate reason why Balnche came to see Stella. Upon arrival Blanche fits into the stereotype of a women, for example she is dependent, submissive, easily hurt emotionally, and talkative.Blanche couldn't conform to being a southern belle so she became a stereotyped women by depending on everyone else. Blanche was critisized by others especially Stanley and Stella about her stereotype.Soon stanley believes he has the authority to rape Blanche because of her situation.
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Wyatt Knowlton
8/12/2016 09:42:05 pm
In "A Streetcar Named Desire" by Tennesee Williams, both of the characters Blanche and Stanley try to fit into gender roles they feel obligated as women and men respectively. Their attempts, however, negatively affect many aspects of both of their lives. In Blanche's case, her feeling of the need for protection of a man as a part of her imposed gender role, resulted in her seeking out multiple relationships and sexual partners. In turn, this caused Mitch to decide against further pursuing a relationship with her. It is eventually shown that she does not necessarily fit into female gender stereotypes when she threatens to stab Stanley. Her aggressiveness may not be stereotypical of women, but in this instance, is an aspect of her. In Stanley's case, after his assault of his wife, Stella, he cries and apologizes. This shows both his struggle trying to fill his gender role, and his failure to do so. According to the shown gender roles, Stanley's aggression is supposedly a defining trait of men, as well as his seeming lack of other emotion. His crying to Stella and Mitch's comforting of Blanche are both examples of discrepancies of these stereotypes. Lastly, Tennessee also uses Stanley's resorting to sex as an important device in showing the stereotype that men are driven by sex first and foremost, and that anything else comes second.
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Grace Winberry
8/12/2016 10:08:56 pm
From birth boys and girls are given certain colors they should choose, clothing styles to wear, and toys they should play with. As they grow up, these lists of things only for boys and only for girls gets longer. In school there are different expectations for them. When they get older, there are different career paths based on gender where a women might not be taken seriously as a surgeon or a man being a nurse or any occupation that requires compassion is viewed as funny. As children boys and girls are both taught by society that it is okay for a boy to be mean to a girl if he likes her, but obviously this is no way to show that feeling. This excuse for bad behavior teaches women it is alright for a man to be mean to them. In "A Streetcar Named Desire", Stella deals with Stanley's aggressiveness and abuse because it isn't all the time. " Blanche, I'd forgotten how excitable you are, you are making much too much s fuss about this." (Williams 63). He constantly hits her and yells at her but she never does anything about it. She sticks by him and even trusts him more than she does her own sister. When Blanche is raped by Stanley and she tries to tell Stella, Stella does not believe her. This shows how dependent Stella is on Stanley and how much she feels she needs him that she will not side with her sister and try to protect her.
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Lily PeƱa
8/12/2016 10:34:36 pm
Tennessee Williams’ play, A Streetcar Named Desire deals a tremendous amount with gender roles and gender stereotypes. Many of the characters mental health and way of interacting with the opposite sex is based on their ideals of what gender should be. For example, Stanley treats his wife in an aggressive and combative manner, even though he does love her. The way he treats her doesn’t reflect his love for her or his desire for her, it reflects the way he was taught to love and assert dominance as a man. This represents how boys are taught to be physically strong rather than emotionally aware. An excerpt from the socialization article describes this aggression and what it stems from. “When boys receive dolls, they are likely to be action figures designed to bring out the alleged aggressive tendencies in boys.” Stanley also feels very insecure when Blanche assumes a more rich or high falutin position. This is because it must make him feel less powerful or on a lower ranking than her. Also the character Blanche is very affected by the ideals of what a woman “should” be. Was she really awful for sleeping with many men after losing her husband? She was put down, shamed, and sent away for her promiscuous tendencies. She is driven insane by her vanity and her pressure to be a socially acceptable lady. When people found out about Blanche's gallivanting through Laurel they were quick to make judgements and label her as crazy. For example Stanley talks about what people thought of Blanche back home “Same old act, same old hooey! But the town was too small for this to go on forever! And as time went by she became a town character. And regarded as not just different but down right loco-nuts.” Because of insecurity and the anxiety of society, Blanche falls into her own mind. As a woman she is expected to be modest, pure and not to sleep with many men. She also feels an added pressure to remain youthful and delicate. Most men at the time did not have to worry as much about being so pure and coy.
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Trinity McQuillan
8/13/2016 04:56:48 pm
Gender socialization has been around for centuries as women are caretakers and men are providers for their community. Tennessee William's play, A Streetcar Named Desire, portrays different characters and their personalities relating to gender socialization. Stella Kowalski is a housewife that possesses many stereotypical female characteristics. She knows women should care for their husbands and she does so without question. “Girls receive dolls in an attempt to socialize them into future roles as mothers. Since women are expected to be more nurturing than men, giving a girl a doll teaches her to care for it and fosters the value of caring for others.” (Sparknotes Editors). Unfortunately, Stella cares for and adores her husband so much she becomes inferior and believes she must live with him. Stella sides with him over everything and excuses his actions no matter how horrible. “STELLA. He was as good as a lamb when I came back and he’s really very, very ashamed of himself.” (4.16). After being abused by her husband she still believes he his good and right because of her need for her to be the perfect (feminine) wife, and Stanley to be the perfect (masculine) husband. Stella has grown up knowing the ‘difference’ between women and men and believing that to live a perfect life, those differences need to be fulfilled.
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Jack Povey
8/13/2016 08:16:53 pm
In the play "A Streetcar Named Desire" gender role are a huge factor. Sparknote's piece called "Gender Socialization" talks extensively about gender socialization and how gender roles can dictate the path of a person's life. One character who is effected by gender socialization is Mitch. Mitch conforms to the the social norms of being a man but also has a female attribute. Mitch fits the male profile by working out a lot and being a muscular body builder. This is part of the dominance expected from males and how they should carry themselves. The Spark Notes article describes the dominance of males in this statement, "The language center in the male brain is usually in the dominant (usually left) hemisphere" Mitch fits this dominant role by being a weight lifter. Mitch also has a feminine attribute. Mitch lives with his mother who is dying and this gives him a sensitive side. Some may find this strange since he is a big and strong man due to gender socialization. This sensitive side shows when he talks to Blanche and says "You need somebody. And I need somebody, too. Could it be- you and me, Blanche?" (Williams 96). This shows Mitch's sensitive side. People might class as a feminine attribute due to gender socialization which says that males are not sensitive. Mitch is an example of a character who is affected by gender socialization in "A Streetcar Named Desire".
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Matt Izzo
8/14/2016 06:02:58 pm
In Tennessee Williams' "A Streetcar Named Desire", the main characters are caged in societies' set gender roles. At first I didn't think that gender roles were very major in the story, however I read SparkNotes' "Gender Socialization" article and not only I was amazed by the contents of the article, I was also amazed by the amount of gender stereotypes I found in "A Streetcar Named Desire". The character who stands out the most when I think of this is none other than Mitch. Mitch doesn't fit societies cookie cutter when it comes to gender stereotypes, instead of having the emotions of a brick, Mitch is actually a caring young man. Mitch alludes this little "flaw" when he says, "I got a sick mother... She says to go out, so I go, but I don't enjoy it. All the while I keep wondering how she is."(Williams 46). This may not seem like a bad thing, however society has to fix what is broken, so it made Mitch feel bad about himself. Mitch then felt he had to fit the role, his method is by doing one of the manliest things he could do; join the military. Stanley, Mitch's friend, said "We were in the same outfit together- Two-forty-first Engineers." (Williams 103). After that Mitch still didn’t feel like the man he was supposed to, so he went with Stanley, worked at a power plant and joined Stanley’s bowling team, thus ending Mitch’s story. I think that Williams was trying to show that society’s stereotypes should be broadened to accept more people into it, which I think it has.
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Seamus Fields
8/15/2016 08:50:08 am
In the play, “A Street Car Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams, a man named Stanley tries to be what the definition of a man is made out to be, by showing his masculinity and pushing himself to be the top of the league.Stanley has many moments when he tries to be the manliest man he can be, such as beating Stella to show his power and when he rapes Blanche. Blanche was always trying to show Stanley he wasn’t the man he thought he was and control everyone’s lives, Stanley decided that he was going to show Blanche who he was, and to show her how manly he was, he thought it was best to rape her. That was not ok for him to do, and it makes him less of a man. the article “Gender Socialization” it says that boys are raised to conform to the male gender or role.” Stanley is trying to stand up to the expectations of a male, and by doing so he goes through a lot of trouble.
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Donovan Turner
8/15/2016 01:51:39 pm
Through out "A Streetcar Named Desire" Stanley, one of the main characters, tries to assert his dominance over everyone he is affiliated with. This is very noticeable when it comes to Blanche and Stella. Stanley believes he has to be tough,cruel and the man of the house, while the women stay out of his way. On poker night when Stella yells at Stanley and tells everyone to leave, Stanley flips out and hits Stella. Another example is Stanley raping Blance. Both of these acts are committed because Stanley wants to be more of a man. In actuality it makes him less than a man and shows he is an insecure coward.
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Donovan Turner
8/15/2016 03:10:55 pm
In the article "Gender Socialization" it states that boys and girls socialize differently. Society tends to put gender roles on both genders. Girls are supposed to support the men. They are supposed to be out going, nourishing and submissive. Men are tough, non-nourishing and controlling. Through out "A Streetcar Named Desire" Stanley, one of the main characters, tries to assert his dominance over everyone he is affiliated with. This is very noticeable when it comes to Blanche and Stella. Stanley believes he has to be tough,cruel and the man of the house, while the women stay out of his way. On poker night when Stella yells at Stanley and tells everyone to leave, Stanley flips out and hits Stella."You lay your hands on me and I'll-"(Stella sc 3 pg 56) Another example is Stanley raping Blanche. Both of these acts are committed because Stanley wants to be more of a man. In actuality it makes him less than a man and shows he is an insecure coward.
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Jack Borkoski
8/15/2016 05:37:47 pm
“Gender socialization is the tendency for boys and girls to be socialized differently. A gender role is a set of behaviors, attitudes, and personality characteristics expected and encouraged of a person based on his or her sex”(SparkNotes). In A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams, there are many characters that tend to cling to common gender roles that were common back in that time period. Stanley Kowalski for example, is a very cruel, dominant and aggressive man. When his wife's' sister unexpectedly stops in, Stanley already doesn't like her. Blanche, his wife's sister, makes Stanley feel small. Being very dominant, Stanley will go out of his way to make Blanche feel unwelcome. This is also because Blanche would take long baths, and poke fun at their untidy home. Still, this is no way to treat a woman. One night of talking to his wife Stella, Stanley goes on to say, "She is as famous in Laurel as if she was the President of the United States, only she is not respected by any party"(Williams 99). Blanche was fired from her job at school and almost kicked out of her town for having affairs with a 17 year old boy. This is what Stanley means by this. This is his way of being aggressive, cruel and tough. Stanley is in tune with his masculine gender roles. Another night for birthday supper, Stanley loses his temper and blows a top off. He goes on to say, "Don't you ever talk that way to me. "Pig — Polack — disgusting — vulgar — greasy!" — them kind of words have been on your tongue and your sister's too much around here. What do you think you are, a pair of queens? Remember what Huey Long said — 'Every man's a King!' And I am the king around here, so don't forget it!"(Williams 107). Here Stanley is being dominant and blunt. He shows Stella and Blanche how he is in charge. Stanley is very assertive.
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Me Gusta
8/15/2016 07:58:14 pm
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8/22/2016 01:34:48 pm
what the
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Mara Campolattaro
8/17/2016 10:27:59 am
In the play "A Streetcar Named Desire" by Tennessee Williams, gender socialization is demonstrated through many characters. Williams has these characters portrayed in a way that displays the gender norms. One of the characters to do so is Stanley Kowalski. Stanley is the typical, cookie-cutter masculine character. He expresses aggressive and violent tendencies through his love for fighting and when he physically abuses his wife, which, according to Sparknotes, is one of the primary social norms for boys. "When boys receive dolls, they are likely to be action figures designed to bring out the alleged aggressive tendencies in boys." (Sparknotes). Stanley's wife Stella is also an example of one of William's characters which conforms to gender roles. She's the definition of "housewife": feminine, submissive, and being there for her husband's every need. She is so committed to this role of "housewife" that her husband's abuse does not cause her to break character. She even defends Stanley, saying that “He was as good as a lamb when I came back and he’s really very, very ashamed of himself.” (Stella, 4.16). These characters believe that they're the way they are by nature and by nurture. They are this way simply because it's what they know, and believe that this is simply the way they have to live their lives.
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Cristina Persico
8/18/2016 01:05:07 pm
In the play " A Streetcar Named Desire" by Tennessee Williams, gender roles are very important. According to Spark Notes article called "Gender Socialization" gender roles are "the tendency for boys and girls to be socialized differently." Gender roles can dictate the path of someones life because they might make sure to maintain their masculinity or femininity. Spark Notes states "When boys receive dolls, they are likely to be action figures designed to bring out the alleged aggressive tendencies in boys". This shows how boys and girls are shown to be so different and not being "manly" or "girly" can cause some people to be judgmental. A character in the play who is affected by gender roles is Harold Mitchell, "Mitch". Mitch is a strong man from the army who is a body builder. But, on the inside he has a warm heart. He lives with his mother who is home slowly dying and he is searching for a woman to be by his side and support him. Mitch is shown as the typical man who is aggressive and strong but he is really a gentleman. After he find and falls in love with Blanche he says to her, " You need somebody. And I need somebody, too. Could it be you and me, Blanche?" (Williams 96). This shows how Mitch doesn't always have to portray the act of being a manly man and he can be affectionate just like a woman. In general, Mitch is just one out of many characters in the play where gender roles affected him.
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Craig Scharmann
8/19/2016 06:43:40 pm
In the play, "a streetcar named desire" by Tennessee Williams, throughout the story, the main character, Blanche, ultimately conforms to her feminine-based lifestyle in hope of truly settling down after her previously deceased lover. In order to achieve her personal desires, Blanche decides to conform rather than reject her gender stereotype. For example, when Blanche is talking to Mitch about the gifter of his cig case, Blanche says, "It sounds like it was a romance"(Williams 53), which Mitch respond by saying, "A pretty sad one", he then says, "She's dead now", It then states that Blanche feels deep sympathy. This shows how Blanche accepts her stereotype of being sensitive to other peoples feelings and ultimately uses it to benefit her personal desires. Next, Blanche also applies to one stereotype in particular; which is being dependent. For example, Blanche states how, "intimacies with strangers was all [she] seems able to fill her empty heart.(Williams 118)" This shows how Blanche needed to be dependent on someone no matter who they were. She began loving random people solely because of the deep sorrow that needed to be filled due to the death of her long loved husband. Ultimately, Blanche conforms to her stereotypical female lifestyle, and uses it to influence her personal desires in life.
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Gavin Mahoney
8/20/2016 09:24:49 am
In Tennessee Williams' play, "A Streetcar Named Desire," Stanley makes an effort to define the stereotype of men based on his actions.For example, the aggression he used to take advantage of Blanche showed that he wanted dominance over a women, as well as wanting to intimidate Blanche. He was less sensitive to her feelings, which again shows his interest in intimacy. To add on to that, Stanley asserts his hunger for authority when he beats up Stella, trying to prove that he is almighty and the man. Also, he tells Blanche that there will be no drinking in "his territory." Stanley wanted them to know that it is his property and that his authority should not be disrespected.
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Michael Gilson
8/21/2016 08:42:35 pm
In the Play "A Streetcar named Desire" by Tennesse Williams Gender roles are a big part in the story. Gender rules that may seem outdated. One character does everything a stereotypical man would do and that how he acts. In the old days behaviors like these were seen as the norm. Its the stereotype that men are the providers and woman are the housekeepers. I believe it is a pride thing. He shows many instances of this by showing his masculinity emotionally and physically
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Emily Rothberg
8/23/2016 11:24:06 am
When analyzing the topic of gender roles, one of the most quintessential portrayals of gender stereotypes is Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire. Stanley is the quintessential male alpha, shown as the main provider and protector of his home. One example of this is shown when in Act 1 he brings home meat for Stella - kind of reminiscent of of ancient hunter-gatherer relationships, when the men would bring home the days killings and women stayed home, gatherer nuts and berries in the woods, tending to the house, and doing the cooking and cleaning. While we don’t really use the term a “hunter - gatherer” anymore, the relationship described above is very similar to the one Stanley and Stella share. Stanley, as mentioned before fits the gender stereotype of what masculinity should be like to a t. He is strong and fit, aggressive, cruel towards women and crudely sexual. In fact the way we are introduced to Stanley at the very beginning of the play sets us up to relaxes what an embodiment of the patriarchy he is. “Since earliest manhood the center of his life has been pleasure with women, the giving and taking of it, not with weak indulgence, dependency, but with the power and pride of a richly feathered male bird among hens. Branching out from this complete and satisfying center are all the auxiliary channels of his life, such as his heartiness with men, his appreciation of rough humor, his love of good drink and food and games, his car, his radio, everything that is his, that bears his emblem of the gaudy seed-bearer. He sizes women up at a glance, with sexual classifications, crude images flashing into his mind and determining the way he smiles at them.” (Williams 25) He views women as the whole of society viewed women in the 1940s and 50s - borderline property of men, there to respect and dote on their husbands and as lesser beings than men in general, such as in the way of brains. In scene 2 Stanley is trying to describe the Napoleonic code to Stella and she interrupts him says “My head is swimming!” (Williams 33) This was a nod to the fact that women aren’t supposed to be able to comprehend such complicated ideas - that’s the man's’ job! One other classic trait of a typical man is also that they are dominant, such as Stanley is head of their household, and when Blanche arrives it’s revealed that though she may have the looks of of a lady, she’s not all sweet submissive Southern belle. You come to see that she herself is also a very domineering character in her will and drive, such as how she is determined to get Stella to move away from Stanley and his abusive ways. Stanley used to deferential Stella feels threatened by Blanche and her independent ways - and ends up attacking and raping her when she lets her vulnerable side show, metaphorically showing that he has gained full control back over the DuBois sisters.
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Allie Cohen
8/25/2016 06:38:05 pm
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Charlotte Jansky
8/26/2016 04:34:31 pm
The idea of gender socialization is a big part of society and is displayed by Tennessee Williams in his play, A Streetcar Named Desire. According to the SparkNotes article, ‘Gender Socialization’, Gender socialization “is the tendency for boys and girls to be socialized differently.” Children are taught early on about the gender roles and stereotypes, and this can affect them later on in life with their careers and relationships. Stanley and Stella are perfect examples of this in A Streetcar Named Desire. Stella is Stanley’s wife and is affected by gender roles. Stella is portrayed as being very emotional and dependent on Stanley. When Stanley drunkenly hits her she exclaims, “I want to go away, I want to go away!”(Williams 58). But, when Blanche asks her why she stays, she claims that she loves him. As the book goes on, it is revealed more and more that Stella only stays because her gender role makes her feel inclined to be married. On the other hand, Stanley is Stella’s husband and is also affected by gender socialization. Stanley is portrayed as being aggressive and very dominant. He believes that he is the ‘master of the house’. When Stella asks Stanley to clean up after a meal and calls him a pig he shouts, “I am the king around here, so don’t forget it!”(Williams 107). Stanley is authoritative and he shouts at and orders Stella. As the book continues, Stanley’s dogma grows and he falls further into the male gender stereotype. Stanley and Stella’s relationship revolves around being in these roles and they never work out their problems. Their relationship is a perfect example of how the gender roles and stereotypes can dominate a lifestyle and negatively impact it.
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Cori Martin
8/27/2016 01:26:46 pm
In the play, A Streetcar Named Desire, there seems to be a lot of gender socialization. There is no say on how Stanley and Stella acted before Blanche showed up on their doorstep, but there is possibly a chance that things were different. Because of gender roles, Stanley felt that Blanche was taking over his dominant role in the house. Blanche being an outgoing, very picky, and over zealous person, always seemed to know how to control everyone around her. This may have made Stanley even more aggressive and dominant towards Stella when he says, Don't you ever talk that way to me. 'Pig,' 'Pollack,' 'disgusting,' 'vulgar,' 'greasy.' Those kind of words have been on your tongue and your sister's tongue just too much around here. What do you think you are? A pair of queens?". (Bradbury 107) He wanted to show that a woman could never be the bigger role in the house. This is why Stella was always the maid and never could do anything better or more fun than Stanley ever did. While Stanley even had poker nights, Stella and Blanche had no sort of entertainment except the radio, but this did not last long because it was shortly thrown out of the window, again showing Stanley's aggressiveness and dominance in the home. Also, Stanley has always seemed to be telling Stella that "everything will go back to normal once she is gone", meaning Blanche. He even understands that his behavior is not normal and he knows that these typical gender stereotypes are going to end up hurting his whole family and even some of his friends.
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Sarah Lown
8/28/2016 11:29:22 am
"...As tiny babies, boys and girls are dressed differently, according to what is considered “appropriate” for their respective sexes"(Gender Socialization, SparkNotes). From the day that a child is born, gender roles come into play. Objects are generally labeled as masculine or feminine and each gender is expected to act a certain way. "A Streetcar Named Desire", a play written by author William Tennessee, depicts the lives of a family in New Orleans who struggles because of the social standards that differentiate men and women. Men tend to feel a sense of superiority, as shown by Stanley in the play when he not only beats his wife who is carrying his child, but then rapes her sister. Big, tough, Stanley and his helpless wife Stella show how Stanley feels a sense of power over his wife due to his gender. Treating her like an object, Stella has barely any power in their relationship. Even the career paths males take are different than females. "Women working in traditionally male occupations often hit a glass ceiling, an invisible barrier that keeps women from reaching executive positions."(Gender Socialization, SparkNotes). Gender Socialization, separating men and women, still effects the way people live today.
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Isabella Scheider
8/30/2016 01:25:07 pm
In the play, “A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams, a large problem that still exists today was addressed. This problem that affects the entire human race is the subject of gender roles and stereotypes. In this story set in old New Orleans, Stella resides with her very manly husband, Stanley, who she unfortunately, never sees. The play starts off with Stella’s delicate sister Blanche coming to visit for awhile and telling how she lost her old home. As we continue through the play, we can see that the character who most fits the feminine stereotype is Blanche. Right from the beginning, Blanche shows to be very emotional by the way she approaches Stella. She can’t stop talking (like most women are expected to act) and when she talks about losing Belle Reve, she starts getting a little over the top and blaming Stella, saying she was the one who left. Even later in the play when Blanche meets Mitch, we are shown how sensitive she is to others’ emotions and how much she cares about how presentable she looks.When Mitch starts talking to Blanche about the engraving in his lighter, he says, “She knew she was dying when she give me this. A very strange girl, very sweet-very!” (Williams 58). Blanche is shocked and immediately shows sympathy. She even is hesitant to walk outside to talk because she’s “not properly dressed”.
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Summer Smith
8/31/2016 08:41:48 am
In a Streetcar Named Desire, by Tennessee Williams, here exists many gender roles and stereotypes. These roles and stereotypes also exists in modern society. From a young age, in modern society, children are given gender roles; through their toys, and clothes. In modern society "Boys are raised to conform to the male gender role, and girls are raised to conform to the female gender or role." (Gender Socialization, Sparknotes) For example, girls are raised to do housework such a cooking and cleaning whereas boys are raised to go out and work at a job and be the "man" of the house. All of these roes are stereotypes are present throughout the play, A Streetcar Named Desire. Since boys are stereotyped to be the"man" of the house, or in other words run the house, Stanley thinks that he is the man of the house and he can run the house. Stanley thinks he can do whatever he wants since it is ultimately "his house". Stanley also thinks that since he is a male that he has control over everything including his wife. This is prominent in Scene three when the men are all over playing poker. Blanche turns of the radio, which clearly angers Stanley. He repetitively turns off the radio then goes on to throw the radio out the window. Since Stanley is male he feels as if he has control over everything and since he has control over the radio and he didn't like it he decides to throw it out the window. Therefore disposing of it. Stanley also gets mad at Stella since she was the one playing the radio. Once again, since Stanley is male he feels as if he can do whatever he wants and he was control over everything. Stanley has control over his wife and since he does not like that she was playing the radio he decides to beat her. Stella, being a women, can't do anything about the beating she cries out in protest "You lay your hands on me and I'll-"(Williams 57). But her protests and fight back does nothing since she is female. Gender roles and stereotypes are present all throughout the play and all throughout modern society.
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Penny Hill
9/2/2016 10:39:19 am
Gender stereotypes are often rules which we are not taught, but raised alongside. They pollute our environment like toxic gases, and when we are forced to breathe them so we accept them and adapt to them. Two characters in A Streetcar Named Desire who are hindered by their conformity to socialization are Stella and Stanley. Stella is a perfect example of the feminine stereotype. She is extremely submissive and passive. The morning after the night of Stanley’s poker game when he got drunk and beat her in a rage, Stella acted almost as if nothing had happened. She just regarded his outburst as a bad habit or trivial mistake. When Blanche yelled at Stella for cleaning up after Stanley, she responded “Then who’s going to do it? (Williams 66)” which shows how helpless she is at standing up for herself. She lets Stanley walk all over her. After Stanley beat her, she ran upstairs to Eunice’s apartment. As usual, Stanley started whining and crying for his “baby (Williams 66)” and said he was ashamed of himself. Since Stella is so easily influenced and dependent on Stanley, she gave in, went back downstairs with him, and accepted his apology. Stanley is the epitome of stereotypical masculinity. He is very aggressive and tough, which is easily to tell because he always smashes things. Stella even said that on their wedding night “he snatched one of [her] slippers and rushed about the place smashing light bulbs with it (Williams 64).” Blanche exclaims that “He acts like an animal! (Williams 72)” and I wouldn’t call that an exaggeration. He is obviously the dominant one in him and Stella’s relationship and he makes sure that she knows it. He is completely insensitive to Blanche’s feelings also. For her birthday, Stanley gets her a bus ticket back to Laurel and tells her she has to leave Tuesday. Stanley is cruel, blunt, and has almost all the traits you would associate with the stereotypical man. Stella and Stanley’s relationship is hindered by socialization because they both feel the need to behave a certain way to fit society’s expectations. Stanley is brutal and brash because he wants to feel superior to Stella and be the “man of the house.” Stella is obedient to him because as a woman she feels less entitled to power and independence. She goes along with whatever Stanley wants because she claims “I love him (Williams 71)” and she wants to please him. Gender roles have made Stella and Stanley’s relationship abusive and destructive for the both of them.
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Bella Fernandes
9/3/2016 12:46:35 pm
The idea of socialization can describe the way men and women can act the way they do and still feel righteousness after doing so. In “A Streetcar Named Desire,” the character Stanley shows the qualities of being aggressive, bully-like, harmful, uncaring, and the stereotypical man that all women are afraid of meeting. “A gender role is a set of behaviors, attitudes, and personality characteristics expected and encouraged of a person based on his or her sex.” (sparknotes) The fact that this quote says “expected” just shows that Stanley was living up to this expectation. After raping Blanche and being harmful to his wife by punching her, it demonstrates how negatively powered he is. This domanic and cruelty that Stanley shows throughout the novel defines him as a person.
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Quinn Moore
9/3/2016 10:40:53 pm
Children growing up are forced into thinking they are supposed to be in specific gender categories. In the play “A Streetcar Names Desire.” the author Tennessee Williams illustrates to the audience gender stereotypes through the characters Stanely, Stella, and Mitch. Stanley follows the stereotype of the “masculine” man who is strong and assertive while Mitch who is the opposite of Stanley strays away from the stereotype and is sensitive and “soft”. On page 52 the stereotypes are represented in the event of Stanley bullying Mitch about his mother that he knows he is Mitch is sensitive about. Stanley says “he’ll deposit them one by one in the piggy bank his mom got him for Christmas.” showing Stanley’s dominance compared to Mitch’s. Stereotypes of gender roles have a key role in this play.
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Callie Haytaian
9/4/2016 10:56:16 am
Gender roles have forever been a large part of society. "A gender role is a set of behaviors, attitudes, and personality characteristics expected and encouraged of a person based on his or her sex."(Spark notes) At a very young age children are taught how gender stereotypically should be. "Even as tiny babies, boys and girls are dressed differently, according to what is considered “appropriate” for their respective sexes." (Spark Notes) In the play "A Streetcar Named Desire" gender stereotypes are shown through the characters Stanley and Mitch. Both are men but they are very different. Stanley follows the typical masculine man, who is strong on the outside and inside. However, Mitch is opposite him and is very sensitive more like a stereotypical girl. Due to Mitchs differences from societies beliefs he is unfairly bullied.
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MAry Brigid Clanton-Calnan
9/5/2016 07:14:02 am
In the book, A Streetcar Named Desire there is many stereotypical gender roles. For example only the men can play poker, Stanley goes out more than Stella, and Blanche needs a man to do things for her. From the beginning of time the women stay home and the men go out and do the hard labor. Nowadays it is different and women are offended when people just assume that they want to go into teaching nursing or low physical work jobs. Tennessee Williams shows us how it used to be and how women treated men and men treated women. Stanley Kowalski is a pig-headed man who thinks he can get away with anything because he is the man of the house. In the article about gender socialization it says, “For example, in American society, the color pink is associated with girls and the color blue with boys. Even as tiny babies boys and girls are dressed differently, according to what is considered “appropriate” for their respective sexes.” This shows that from the day that you are born your have different roles and different expectations for how you act and what you do
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Jaz Marshall
9/5/2016 09:36:26 am
In Tennessee Williams' "A Streetcar Named Desire", the main characters are a very major part in societies, "gender roles." Gender roles are enforced at a very young age. Girls start playing with pretty, feminine dolls. They're taught to be the "Mother" when they play house. Boys play with trucks and cars, dolls are considered "too girly" for a boy to even think about. Gender roles are greatly involved in the play's character, Stella. She takes greatly to the idea of gender roles. Stella was taught that women should obey men and their husbands by simple acts such as cooking for him, taking care of him, and doing home chores. However, Stella faces a tough situation. Her husband abuses Stella and her sibling, Blanche. Stella and her husband argue, but gender roles say women must obey men, gender roles say let it happen. Stella says to Blanche, "But there are things that happen between a man and a woman in the dark - that sort of make everything else seem - unimportant." (Williams 81) Which says basically, go along with all the wrong her husband does, because of the acts that take place in privacy make all the wrong go right because of the standards of gender roles.
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9/5/2016 12:53:25 pm
It can be argued no other character in Tennessee Williams' "A Streetcar Named Desire" falls into a gender role more perfectly than Stanley Kowalski. He is a man with few to no feminine characteristics. He is physical, blunt, aggressive, and dominant. Blanche finds him not unlike a Neanderthal, bestial and brutal. She says, "He acts like an animal, has an animal's habits! Eats like one, moves like one, talks like one! There's even something sub-human, something not quite to the stage of humanity yet. Yes, something-ape-like about him, like one of those pictures I've seen in-anthropological studies! Thousands and thousands of years have passed him right by, and there he is--Stanley Kowalski, survivor of the stone age!" (Williams 72) Whether or not Stanley acts this way to fill the male role and feel strong, or because he really is a masculinity incarnate, can be debated. One thing that can not be debated, is that Stanley does not get along with Blanche. He does not relate with or understand her, and one of humanity's most basic fears is the fear of the unknown. Blanche causes complications in the Kowalski household, she threatens to destroy Stanley's marriage, and Stanley is a very simple man, and when he feels threatened, he chooses to take action. Stanley destroys Blanche's relationship with Mitch, and buys her a bus ticket so she can leave. We should understand Blanche was never sympathetic towards Stanley, she talked about him behind his back, swindled him, called him 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘰𝘯. Stanley chose to take physical action, he tells himself this was bound to happen. “We've had this date with each other from the beginning.” (Williams 130), and Stanley rapes Blanche. Stanley obsesses to make himself a masculine brute, a ruthless man who can't comprehend the nicer things in life, controlled by instinct. He forces himself to believe the world is survival of the fittest, and that Stanley must be the strongest.
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Erin Rooy
9/5/2016 04:13:22 pm
According to Sparknotes, “gender socialization is the tendency for boys and girls to be socialized differently.” What this means is that society has different expectations for how boys and girls should act. For example, males, according to society, should be dominant, independent, and tough. However, women are seen as passive, emotional, and nurturing. In the book A Streetcar named Desire by Tennessee Williams, gender roles play a gargantuan part in the plot. One of the characters that goes by the name of Stanley Kowalski is the epitome of the male stereotype. He even expresses this by saying, “Every Man is a King!’ And I am the King around here, so don’t forget it,” (Williams 107). Stanley believes that every male should be dominant and powerful, similar to a King, and he will do anything to make sure the people around him are aware. For example, he beats his wife, but his wife sticks by him because of the societal roles that women should play. Stella, his wife, was beat by Stanley only because she defended Blanche. Because Stella defended Blanche, he felt threatened by her so as a consequence he raped Blanche. After he committed the abhorrent atrocity, he sent Blanche off to an insane asylum. Since Stanley is such a controlling man, he has power over the females in his life. The problem with gender roles are that they predetermine who we should be and what we should act like rather than recognizing who we actually are.
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Sophia Morales
9/5/2016 05:04:26 pm
In 'A Streetcar Named Desire' strict gender roles are demonstrated throughout the play. Stanley and Stellas marriage is a prime example of where gender roles are used. Stella is always cautious around Stanley and tends to his every need. She was taught to live her life according to her husband and always follow the rules he gives. Stanley encourages this lifestyle by making sure Stella knows that is what he expects out of her. "I can hardly stand when he is away for a week..." (Williams 161). Stella is dependent on Stanley because without him she does not know what to do with herself. She is used to putting him first and never catering to her own needs that without him she is a lost cause. "Stanley doesn't give me a daily allowance, he likes to pay bills himself (Williams 79). This shows Stanleys' need for control. He wants to make sure Stella understands he controls all aspects of their life. He does not treat Stella as a equal because to him he is not one. This shows how Stella and Stanley believe in gender roles because she is the woman and he is the man. In their eyes he is the breadwinner and she is the housewife.
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Theresa Decker
9/7/2016 12:22:19 am
In the play, A Streetcar Named Desire, Mitch is tied to conforming to his masculine gender role, but genuinely also has a more soft, 'feminine' side also. "Gender Socialazation is the tendency for boys and girls to be socialized differently.A gender roll is a set of behaviors, attitudes, and personality characteristics expected and encouraged of a person based on his or her gender" -(Sparknotes) Mitch is Stanley's friend who was in the army, works out, has big muscles and plays poker. Mitch seems like the normal masculine man but also is sweet and sensitive. He lives with his dying mother and despairs over tragedy. He shows his soft side to Blanche when he says that they need each other. Mitch is the perfect example of showing how gender roles impact personality and actions.
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Abby Marascio
9/11/2016 12:50:22 pm
In the play, "A Screetcar Named Desire", gender roles play a very big part. "A gender role is a set of behaviors, attitudes, and personality characteristics expected and encouraged of a person based on his or her sex" (sparknotes). In our society now there are many stereotypes about how men and women should act and these stereotypes go on all throughout the play. The characters Stanely and Mitch are both men who act totally different, Stanely is the typical manly man and Mitch is more of a "girly" man. And because of Mitch not being the typical "manly" man he gets bullied.
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Paul Bikker
9/13/2016 01:08:00 pm
In the play, "A Streetcar Named Desire", Stanley Kowalski fulfills the stereotypical role of a man. However, in doing so, he becomes a primitive and unrefined beast. Stanley fits perfectly into the role of a man. In his first appearance in the book, he shows up "[carrying] a bowling jacket and a red-stained package from the butcher's". If that's not a stereotypical man, what is? After coming home from with a couple of groceries, he promptly leaves again to go sporting. Men aren't supposed to have time for home life. Men are supposed to do some chores once in a while, but the women are supposed to do all the work while men enjoy themselves. Also, throughout the book, Stanley is described doing things loudly and aggressively, such as a real man should. He always "[bellows]" or "with heaven-splitting violence". However, later in the novel, Stanley becomes such a beast that he reverts back to a primal animal. His drive for sex becomes too much. After beating his wife, the only he misses her is because he cannot satisfy his prima needs. His eyes "[fill] with tenderness" and he carries her into the flat. However, there are still traces of man there. The final descent is when he rapes Blanche. There was no need for him do that. He just needed to satisfy his primal needs because Stella just had a baby, and would not be able to.
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August 2016
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