‘That’s the Best Thing a Girl Can Be in This World – a Beautiful Little Fool.’ in the Light of This Comment, Compare and Contrast Representations of Femininity in a Streetcar Named Desire and the Great Gatsby Essay Example
‘That’s the best thing a girl can be in this world – a beautiful little fool.’ In the light of this comment, compare and contrast representations of femininity in A Streetcar Named Desire and The Great Gatsby
As A Streetcar Named Desire and The Great Gatsby were both written by men, it is to be expected that they meet the generalised representations of women found in most famous texts, the vast majority of which were written by men. However, these two texts also explore the ideas of femininity in great detail and often challenge expectations regarding women while also reflecting societies patriarchal and sexist views through the iconic characters of Blanche DuBois and Daisy Buchannan as well as a host of secondary female characters.
One of the most key concepts when considering femininity is how the female characters interact within relationships. The relationship between Stella and Stanley can, in a way, be compared to Daisy and Tom’s relationship. Both have a strong, “hulking” male partner who is indisputably controlling and a “gentle young woman” who is completely dependent. The dysfunctional aspects of these relationships are only highlighted by the intrusion of Blanche and Gatsby, respectively, both protagonists wanting the abusive marriages to end for their own reasons. It is made obvious throughout the play that Stanley holds some ownership or authority over his wife. This is evident when Stanley “gives a loud whack of his hand on Stella’s thigh” with Stella replying “That’s not fun, Stanley” which is greeted only with laughter. This is a sign of Stanley’s believed sexual ownership over his wife, and an example of how Stella is oppressed within the marriage. Stella’s response also reinforces the idea that the women are the ‘passive’ within the hegemonic idea of what marriage ought to be and in both relationships, neither Stella nor Daisy is blamed or condemned for making her commitment to such a ”beastly” man, with the exception of Blanche and Gatsby’s
As A Streetcar Named Desire and The Great Gatsby were both written by men, it is to be expected that they meet the generalised representations of women found in most famous texts, the vast majority of which were written by men. However, these two texts also explore the ideas of femininity in great detail and often challenge expectations regarding women while also reflecting societies patriarchal and sexist views through the iconic characters of Blanche DuBois and Daisy Buchannan as well as a host of secondary female characters.
One of the most key concepts when considering femininity is how the female characters interact within relationships. The relationship between Stella and Stanley can, in a way, be compared to Daisy and Tom’s relationship. Both have a strong, “hulking” male partner who is indisputably controlling and a “gentle young woman” who is completely dependent. The dysfunctional aspects of these relationships are only highlighted by the intrusion of Blanche and Gatsby, respectively, both protagonists wanting the abusive marriages to end for their own reasons. It is made obvious throughout the play that Stanley holds some ownership or authority over his wife. This is evident when Stanley “gives a loud whack of his hand on Stella’s thigh” with Stella replying “That’s not fun, Stanley” which is greeted only with laughter. This is a sign of Stanley’s believed sexual ownership over his wife, and an example of how Stella is oppressed within the marriage. Stella’s response also reinforces the idea that the women are the ‘passive’ within the hegemonic idea of what marriage ought to be and in both relationships, neither Stella nor Daisy is blamed or condemned for making her commitment to such a ”beastly” man, with the exception of Blanche and Gatsby’s