Masculinity And Femininity In A Streetcar Named Desire

Ever since the creation of society, humans have meshed gender roles into all aspects of their everyday lives. The ideas of masculinity and femininity have changed over the course of history, but they are not enough to drastically alter the shared principles that guides people’s behavior in specific situations. The progression of gender is documented through forms of media that depicts accepted forms of masculinity and femininity, such as A Streetcar Named Desire. Published in 1947, the play focuses around a time where females gained more control of their rights, but they still did not have enough control of their own lives. The playwright, Tennessee Williams, drew from his own experiences in his childhood and the overwhelming feelings of solitude

Mitch talks about his former love, and this conversation brings the two closer together. Later, Stanley informs Stella of Blanche’s past of her affair to her stay at a hotel that promotes prostitution. A fight ensues, but is cut short when Stella goes into labor. Stanley has also told the rumors to Mitch, who confronts Blanche and rejects her when she confesses to everything. After she escapes from Mitch’s advances, Stanley finds a very drunk Blanche in their apartment. During their usual back and forth banter, his animalistic instincts take over and he rapes Blanche. Weeks after the rape, Stella has arranged a doctor and a nurse to accompany Blanche to a mental hospital after she refuses to believe her story. Blanche eventually allows the doctor to take her away after initial resistance, while Stanley helps Stella with his comforting words. A Streetcar Named Desire mirrors society by showcasing the truths of masculinity and femininity. One example is seen from Stanley and Stella, two people who work well together in the traditionalistic sense of how gender roles are portrayed in the fifties. Stanley is portrayed as an aggressive and dominant man who asserts himself as the provider of his household. In turn, he sees Stella as the caretaker, and therefore expects her to respect him in his position. In the beginning of the play, Stella acts submissive

The representations shown through his characters shows the gap in equality between men and women. Williams’ portrayal of the three characters equips mainstream media to showcase the effect of excessively pushing gender norms onto a community that is comprised of unique, complex individuals. While modern society has made efforts to stray away from these stereotypes, gender roles act as a staple for the functionality of everyday life. Captivating content can help pave the way of dismantling norms, if people are continuously willing to write and read about an open and liberated