Femininity: Blanche
- Blanche is viewed as a vulnerable, lonley women that needs the kindess and gratitude of her sister and others.
- Blanche shows femininity in the play by being vulnerable and emotionally connected with Mitch and even her deceased husband.
- Most times Blanche is seen bathing and constanlty asking how she looks. Blanche shows alot of need to be seen as beautiful throught the play which is another aspect of femininity.
Example
'"And admire her dress and tell her she's looking wonderful. That's important with Blanche. Her little weakness!"
- Stella says this knowing that Blanche takes her appearance very seriously due to the fact that she's insecure about her age. Again, appearance factors relate back to the role of femininity.
"I want to rest! I want to breath quietly again! Yes- I want Mitch.. very badly! Just think! If it happens! I can leave here and not be anyones problem..."
- Blanche is sensitive and admits that she wants to be with Mitch.
- Blanche represents femininity in the sense of love.
Conclusion
- In conclusion, it is very evident that the role of femininity and masculinity play a huge role in the play 'A streetcar named desire' through the examination of Stanley, Stella and Blanche.
Femininity: Stella
- The quotes symbolize the role of men and women and how Stanley acts towards Stella.
- Masculinity- agressivness
- Femininity- putting forth duties of the house by presenting Stanley with dinner.
- Stella is viewed as the hometaker. She is expected to stay home and cook for Stanley and clean up after everyone.
- Stella shows examples of femininity by doing those things.
- Women are viewed in most cases as hometakers and caregivers for their husbands and are often forgiving. Stella is one of those women.
- Stella also is almost a slave for Blanche aswell.
- Blanche almost takes advantage of her sisters kindness and femininity as she always wants something from Stella and Stella always goes forth doing what she is asked.
Agenda
The role of masculinity and femininity in the play
1st Discussion Question
Example
"Honey, do me a favour. Run to the drug store and get me a lemon-coke with plenty of chipped ice in it!- Will you do that for me, Sweetie?"
- This is the first of many times that we hear of Blanche asking Stella for a favour and Stella going along and doing it right away.
"Give me another bath-towel to dry my hair with. Ive just washed it."
- Another example of Blanche needing Stella to do something and Stella playing the role and doing it.
1. Introduction
2. Definitions of Masculinity and Femininity
3. 1st discussion question
4. The role of masculinity and femininity in the play
5. 2nd discussion question
6. Masculinity and femininity in other works
7. 3rd discussion question
8. Stanley
9. Stella
10. Blanche
11. 4th discussion question
12. Conclusion
13. Game
- In the play 'A streetcar named desire', what character do you think possesses the most masculine qualities? Feminine Qualities?
- Througout the play we view Stanley as the protector, the provider and man of the household. While we see Stella as the homemaker. Her role is to stay home, cook, clean and is expected to respect Stanley.
- Right at the beginnging of the play we see the role of genders take place.
" How about my supper, huh? I'm not going to no Galatoire's for supper!"
"I put you a cold plate on ice."
Think about
- Actions some characters have done
- Attitude of character
- How chacracters present themselves
2nd Discussion Question
The role of masculinity and femininity in the play: Introduction
Can you name any other movie or book that has the roles of femininity and masculinity clearly stated within?
Think about
- The role of masculinity
- The role of femininity
- In the play 'A streetcaf named desire' by Tennessee Williams, the role of masculinity vs femininity plays a rather large part in the play and events that occured in the play.
- The roll of masculinity and femininity will be discussed throughout this seminar aswell as characteristics that distinguish characters under each title.
Definitions
- Masculinity- possession of the qualities traditionally associated with men.
Qualities associated with men are the following: protectiveness, competitiveness, aggressiveness/ strength, etc.
- Femininity- the quality of being female; womanliness.
Qualities associated with womanliness are the following: gentleness, empathy, sensitivity, tolerance, the need to protect, etc.
Masculinity and femininity in other works
- The role of genders is very evident in the movie Grease.
- The movie is made in 1978 but is based in the 1950's. The movie revolves mostly around Sandy and Danny's relationships and their groups of friends.
Masculinity: Stanley
- The role of femininity also plays a part in the film when the "Pink Ladies" are introduced.
- The "Pink Ladies" were a group of girls (main characters) that symbolized femininity.
- Looks, vulnerabilty, etc.
- The role of masculinity plays a part in the film right away when the group the "T-Birds" are introduced.
- The "T-Birds" were a group of men (main characters) that symbolized masculinity in the 50's.
- Slicked back hair, muscles, cigarets, fancy car, etc.
- Like said before, Stanley is seen as the protector, the provider and man of the household.
- Stanley expects to be respected by all that enters 'his' house.
- Stanley shows alot of agressivness and angry domestic traits throughout the play that put him in the posiotion to have complete control over the house and whom he would like.
- Stanley gets the trait of masculinity through his possesiveness of Stella.In other words, his deep caring for Stella and keeping her with him.
Example 1
Example 2
"Oh! So you want some rough- house! All right, lets have some rough house!"
- This quote symbolysis Stanley's abuse of masculinity and how he uses it against Blanche.
[He hurls plate to the floor.]
"That's how I'll clear the table! Dont ever talk that way to me! "Pig- Polack- disgusting- vulgar- greasy!"- them kind of words have been on your tongue and your sisters too much around here! What do you two think you are? A pair of queens? Remember what Huey Long said-"Every man is a King!" And I am the king around here, so don't forget it!"
[He springs towards her, overturning tables. She cries out and strikes at him with the bottle top but he catches her wrist.]
- This is the narration that sets the scene and it follows right after the above quote.
- Stanley uses his agressivness and strengh against Blanche in this scene and rapes her.
- Stanley had no reason to do so, he just did it.
- Masculinity is present when Stanley makes it clear that he is the king of that house and that he is to be respected.
3rd Discussion Question
Which character puts forth to be the more feminine character? Blanche or Stella?
Masculinity and femininity in a streetcar named desire