Bus Stop Analysis

Throughout history, the role of women drastically changed by becoming more independent as time went by. Specifically, in the 1950s, women established their voice and break the stereotype that was labeled to them. In Bus Stop, a play written by William Inge, expose women characters who has faced different life experience and contain different behavior.

To begin with, it is necessary to comprehend the life story of William Inge and women during his time, 1950s, before expressing the female character in Bus Stop. The write of Bus Stop, William Inge, was born on May 3, 1913 in Independence. William Inge, youngest son of Luther Clay Inge and Maude Sarah Inge, was intrigued by theatre, which resulted in graduating from University of Kansas of Lawrence

This characteristic of Grace, owner of Grace’s diner, expresses that her behavior is a fight against common perceptions on how women should behave in the 1950s because she runs her own business and is able to support her own life without relying to a man. During the 1950s, women were entitled to do domestic work, such as taking care of their children and preparing meal for their husband when they come from work. On the other hand, Grace is a divorce woman who is having an affair with the bus driver, Carl, because she feels lonely and desire that companionship from a man. During her marriage with Barton, she still felt lonely just not when making love. Overall, Grace can characterized as someone who has gotten used to doing things on her own because she didn’t have a reliable man figures. Due her experiences, she has trust and attachment issue. Although she has a thing with Carl, there is no commitment expressed between both of them. Grace character shows the audience how women are able to support themselves without the reliance to a man. Although it was expressed that the only thing women were supposed to do is take care of her family, while being dependent on the husband, Grace illustrate how women don’t require anyone, but themselves and can’t be labeled to do one thing. Clearly, Grace Hoylard, is an independent women who break the stereotype of women in the

For instance, Emma is a young girl who is still attending school and getting her education. Emma fights the perception because during the 1950s, it was uncommon for girls to get their education. It was the job of a man to get education, so they can find a job to support the family, while the women support the family at home. Emma is focused on how she wants to further her education rather than thinking how she would she take care of her family as the women in 1950s should. As can be seen, the only focus Emma has is on her