Gender Roles Tennessee Williams

context Men > In the years after the second world war, men came home and married. > Men, unlike women, had the dominant stance of power in their homes. Male superiority was at its peak. > They were very much the leading source of control within the household and within society. Their treatment in general of women backs up this point of dominance. > Williams shows this extensively within the manliness and strength in Stanley’s character and the lack of such masculinity within Brick.

Context Women > When men returned from the war, women were expected to marry and settle down and start a new family, rather than seek employment or a career. > As the counter-image of men, many women became homemakers, which meant that they were responsible for the running of the home and raising the children/babies, usually alone. > “Women were conditioned to find their worth in marriage and creating a sound family structure.” > This is communicated in Maggie’s character as a woman and her desire and longing for children and a family and is counteracted through Brick’s treatment of her in their relationship.

Masculinity - streetcar Stanley ‘“Meat!” - He heaves the package at her.’ This symbolises his animalistic, predatory masculinity and primitive nature. It is a way of establishing dominance within his character and relationship. This falls into the 1950’s gender role expectations of men as they were expected to be the superior force within their relationship.

“Since when do you give me orders?” This conveys Stanley’s expectations of Stella’s submission to him. This also reinforces a women’s lack of authority during this era, and how they were ultimately expected to remain complacent and conform to meet their husband’s wishes and demands.

‘he springs towards her, overturning the table.’ ‘she sinks to her knees’ This symbolises male superiority through his violence and physical dominance. This is a clear portrayal of the ideal male specimen in the context of the 1950’s America gender role expectations of men. Blanche resigns to the fact that she has no power to prevent the inevitable. She is overpowered by his strength and physical superiority – also symbolising her overall defeat to men.

Stanley/Mitch Stanley: “Shut up” Mitch: “I gotta sick mother” This juxtaposes two opposing male figures. Stanley is brutish and dominant but Mitch shows he is a more gentle and caring male figure, defying gender roles.

Blanche’s Husband Blanche: “there was something different about the boy, a nervousness, a softness, and tenderness which wasn’t like a man’s.” Here Blanche is subconsciously degrading him by referring to him as a ‘boy’ rather than a ‘man’, suggesting that to be a man you must not display weak characteristics such as ‘tenderness’. This is a poignant example of gender roles as it shows the demands of manhood, and his inability to cope with society’s expectations.

Masculinity – cat on a hot tin roof Brick: “I can’t get my trousers on over this plaster cast.” > he can’t physically dress himself due to his injury > this is flaw in his strength as a male as his reputation as a sports star is tainted by his injury, and poses a threat to his masculinity. > he is literally emasculated by this – unable to wear trousers, which are, during this time, a exclusively male item of clothing.

Femininity – Streetcar Blanche > “She is daintily dressed in a white suit with a fluffy bodice, necklace and ear- rings of pearl, white gloves and hat” - Blanche’s character is presented as delicate and feminine. She is dressed in white, suggesting purity and innocence, things a women of this time was expected to be. - However, we later discover that Blanche is, in reality, less innocent than she presents herself, and Williams portrayal of this suggests the scandalous nature of a woman not complying with society’s expectations.

Stella > - Stella is conveyed as entirely dependent on Stanley, and their sexual relationship. Even after Stanley’s violence towards her, she goes back to him. - She also seems to find his violence attractive

Brick and Maggie Brick who was once played the role of stereotypical alpha male within his relationship with Maggie depicts the consequences of not meeting societies expectations of gender roles. Where he and Maggie are displayed as a dysfunctional relationship in terms of their inability to produce Big Daddy and Big Mama with heirs, Gooper and Mae are a representation of the 'ideal' relationship. Brick who must rely on his 'crutch' is now crippled and as a result cannot wear the trousers as a result of his cast and so remains permissive having Maggie speak for him. However Maggie too fails to meet gender roles as she cannot give Big Daddy and Big Mama the grandchildren they desire. Moreover Bricks relationship with Skipper has left him crippled. His inability to cope with reality has led him to drinking and relying on his 'crutch' both literally and metaphorically.

Gender Roles Gender roles are seen where Maggie purchased the present for Big Daddy's birthday, this is unusual for 1950's America as the man is supposed to control. The finances. However Brick in this case does not as he allows Maggie to purchase the gift in his behalf. This suggests that due to Bricks downfall Maggie has taken up the masculinity within the relationship however this has left her little room to function as society expects. Therefore Brick fails to meet his gender roles and Maggie desperate to make the relationship work takes up the reigns of both. Big Daddy also represents the male gender roles however fulfils them despite his cancer. Where he becomes paranoid of Big Mama taking over shows his value held for gender roles in that he worked his way upwards and now holds possessions whereas Big Mama, despite her class must respect his belongings. Where Big Mama cares for him he accuses her of marital treason.

Big Daddy “Well you can stop taking over now, Ida because I’m not going to die.” Big Daddy displays the gender expectation of him in the 1950’s where he is though to be a commanding figure, the head of the family and show no weakness for that was though to be the opposite of masculinity. Here we see his perceived weakness to be weakness and with that lifted from his shoulders Big Daddy once again purpose. Where he had given up the owner of the plantation now looks to regain control of his affairs.

Brick and Maggie “I don’t see how you could be so surprised when you bought it yourself at Loewenstein’s in Memphis last Saturday.” This is a representation of how Maggie and Brick do not meet either of their expected gender roles within the relationship. As it was unusual and not expected for a woman to have control over the finances the fact that Maggie bought a present in Bricks name is a representation of the dysfunctional roles each partner has taken up. Maggie who is trying to assume both roles of the relationship in desperation to avoid divorce or reduce her social status makes up for Brick being crippled as a result of his loss of Skipper. Hence Brick not fulfilling his expected roll takes its toll on Maggie who cannot play the woman and male roles of 1950’s America.

Brick’s Masculinity “I see you're crippled. I want to know how you got crippled.” In metaphorical terms, Brick has been crippled by the death of Skipper who he is hinted to have had feelings for or engaged in a relationship. In order to cope with this Brick has become physical crippled. As an aid to cope with reality or rather escaping it altogether Brick has taken up drinking to drown his sorrow and cope with society and life as a whole. This has led to his physical injury which is a sign of how he became crippled. Big Daddy does not understand as he believes Brick to represent a younger version of himself and so does not understand why he would have any weakness which would allow him to become crippled.