The Gender Struggle in A Streetcar Named Desire by...

After two world wars, the balance of power between the genders in America had completely shifted. Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire is a harsh, yet powerful play that exposes the reality of the gender struggle. Williams illustrates society’s changing attitudes towards masculinity and femininity through his eloquent use of dramatic devices such as characterization, dialogue, setting, symbolism, and foreshadowing. Stanley, the protagonist, is a symbol for society’s view of the stereotypical male. He is muscular, forceful, and dominant. Stanley’s domination becomes so overwhelming that he demands absolute control. This view of the male as a large animal is revealed in the opening of the play where Stanley is†¦show more content†¦His statement that: - Be comfortable is my motto is almost contradictory, considering that the character does all he can to put the other characters out of their way, throughout the play. It is through dialogue such as this that audiences are alerted to the fact that Stanley intrinsically fails to consider the implications his own needs and wants have on other people. Instead he is the one in control, the only person invested with power and subsequent command, therefore the only one taken into consideration. A final show of authority is his over powering presence within the poker games. Here he makes powerful statements, passing judgements on the symbolic game, and asserting dominance. Nothing belongs on a poker table but cards, chips, and whisky. It is he who sets such rules, allowing no other comment or opinion. Therefore, it is through using techniques such as dialogue, stage directions, foreshadow, and character, that Tennessee Williams foregrounds society’s attitudes to masculinity within the text. Just as a character is provided to represent the stereotypical male, one is also provided as a representation of femininity. Stella fulfils society’s preconceptions of femininity perfectly, though from today’s perspective they may be considered as misconceptions. Her character is absolutely passive and has a largely domestic role. From her first appearance in the play, she is found inShow MoreRelatedExplorations of Gender Roles in A Streetcar Named Desire, by Tennessee Williams863 Words   |  3 PagesIn the 1947 play, A Streetcar Named Desire, Tennessee Williams explores the aspects of traditional gender roles in society; raising many questions about gender, power, and dominance. Ultimately, though, A Streetcar Named Desire observes the conflict between alpha male Stanley Kowalski and the delicately feminine Blanche DuBois, with wife, sister, and mother-to-be, Stella Kowalski, caught in the middle. 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