Taming Of The Shrew Gender Analysis

Introduction
My focus of inquiry is gender roles. I chose gender roles as my focus of inquiry because there are multiple differences and similarities in the expectations of women and men then and now. The comparisons between the roles of each gender was enlightening. It made me want to know more, like how, when ,and why they changed if they did, or if they stayed the same what was there significance. This topic seemed to be interesting because these roles are something men and women everywhere experience in everyday life, but in each place around the world they could be different.

Historical Overview

Overview of Selections
I chose 6 selections, each selection was chosen because I believed in its own way it had a way of explaining/describing

and showing gender roles and what they are. The first one I chose was a song called “Single Ladies” to me this song showed gender roles because it's about how a female expects a male to act in a relationship as well as after a breakup. The next selection I chose “Why I Want a Wife” I thought this was the best reading to explain expected gender roles of women. It is because it states every single thing that men expect daily by women. The play Taming of the Shrew is also one that explains expected gender roles of women. I chose it because it compared and contrasted between what women should and should not be. The next book I chose was A Raisin in the Sun. A Raisin in the Sun shows expected gender roles of both men and women and how they should pass it down to their children. Cater to You by Destiny's child is another selection I chose. This song shows simple and common gender roles as well as exaggerated gender roles which some women do fulfill but they are not all necessary. The last selection I chose was The Longest Ride. This book has more male gender roles than female but they are more old fashioned roles that men use to go by but rarely do now. These are the six gender roles that I have selected to explain male and female gender roles.
Selection 1
Beyonce Knowles sings a song called “Single Ladies”. This song expresses expected roles of a man in the eyes of a woman. Beyonce simply states that if a man loves a women he should propose to her or make a commitment. “ Cause if if you liked it then you should’ve put a ring on it”(Verse 1, chorus). She sings about her moving on as well, and how men should be fine with that. “Cause I cried my tears, for 3 good years Ya can’t be mad at me”(Verse 1). The authors message in this song is that if a man does not go for what he wants, he should not be mad when it's no longer his. Also if a man wants a woman he should make some type of commitment to keep her. This has to do with gender roles because it's what women expect of men, and it's the role a man should play if they're interested in a women.
Selection 2
In “Why I Want a Wife” by Judy Brady, an abundant amount of gender roles are mentioned. She speaks of what a wife should do or is expected to do. An example is when Brady says “He had one child, who is, of course, with his ex-wife”(para.2). This is basically saying that a child should only be with their mother after a divorce which is not right. Wives are expected to do so much which can sometimes be very hard, “My wife must arrange to lose time at work and not lose the job”(para.3). That's a task that seems unreasonable because if you miss too much time at a job they will fire you because you lack availability when they may need you. Its also not fair to co-workers. This article appears to be sexsist because it makes it out to be that the wife does everything she must maintain the kids and her husband, cook, clean, entertain guests and more. She must do all of this without complaining. “I want a wife who will not bother me with rambling complaints about a wife's duties”(para.4). This makes a man in control and the wife must be obedient to what he says or else she is wrong. The authors purpose is to show how much wives are expected to do. As well as how much they may not be appreciated for. This information is significant to my topic because it tells what husbands expect from their wives. Such as: work, take care of the children, keep track of appointments, feed and clean the kids, wash clothes, arrange for children, take them out, take care of their physical needs, do shopping, serve and prepare meals, and not bother.
Selection 3
Taming of the Shrew is a play which also shows expected gender roles of a woman.

It's about sisters named Katharina and Bianca. Out of the two sisters Bianca is the more desirable one. She has what men want in a girl and she plays all the roles she should as a women. On the other hand there is Katharina who is the exact opposite of what a man wants. Bianca is quiet, humble, caring person. Katharina is loud, rude, crazy and violent. No man wants a woman who is not the “ideal woman”. “I say, a devil. Thinkest thou, Hortensio, though her father be very rich, any man is so very a fool to be married to hell?”(stanza 100)Gremio sees that Katharina is evil and no one will want her, while everyone wants to be with sweet Bianca.”Gentlemen, that I may soon make good What I have said, Bianca, get you in: And let it not displease thee, good Bianca, For I will love thee ne’er the less, my girl.”(stanza 87) This says“good Bianca” showing what the men like in a women. The authors purpose is to show that people can change and truly fall in love even though it may take time. This poem ties into gender roles because it shows what men want a women to be. Women are supposed to be nice, quite, polite, respectful and more. These are all gender roles that Bianca does play. It also shows what women are not supposed to be which is rude, loud, obnoxious, hateful, violent and all the traits that have anything to do with any of

those.
Selection 4
A Raisin in the Sun shows various gender roles of men and women and how they pass these roles onto their kids. It is about a poor, but hard-working family there is mama who has two children Benetha and Walter, Walters married to Ruth and they have a son named Travis. Each family member has important gender roles. Ruth and mama do domestic work as women should. Benetha is going to school to be a doctor. Walter works as a chauffeur as well as being a role model to his son and teaching him how to be a man. These are some roles men should play. “What kind of eggs you want?” (pg.489, line 13) Right from the beginning you can tell Ruth does what a women is supposed to do because she's making her husband breakfast even though she does not really seem to be in the mood to be doing anything but because it's her job and what she's expected to do by her husband she must. In this story there is a great lesson which also shows gender roles it is the best part to me. It is when mama makes Travis stay when Lindner goes over to the house so Walter can tell him they want the money that the neighborhood put together instead of the house. This shows that as a male Walter is expected to make the final decision. Men are also supposed to be their children's role models and show them what choices to make and the reasoning behind making those choices. Mama tells Walter “You teach him good. Like Willy Harris taught you.”(pg.574,line 18-19) When mama says this to Walter he realizes that he must think about the role he's playing as a father and what he's doing because this is something his son will learn from and possibly do when he is a man. Walter then explains to Lindner what his family does and how they are very proud people and then he tells him that they have came to a final decision. “And we have decided to move into our house because my father- my father earned it for us brick by brick.”(pg.575, line 18-19) Right when Walter says this line he is showing some very important gender roles of a man. He is showing that men are expected to step up, and make the best decisions for their families, as well as make excellent role models for their children, and love and care for their families even when it may be hard to do so. The authors purpose is that family always comes first and people can forgive you for your mistakes. It goes with gender roles because throughout the whole thing it is filled with multiple examples of how women and men expect each other to act and the tasks men and women should do without question.
Selection 5
The song Cater to You by Destiny's child shows gender roles from simple to exaggerated. It starts with “What you wanna eat boo (yeah) let me feed you” (lines 15-16) To me this is very common it's a role women have which is feeding their husband and if they have children them too. “Want a foot rub (yeah) you want a manicure” (lines 23-24) This seems a bit exaggerated. A woman is expected to take care of their man but this in my opinion a foot rub and manicure seems a bit much for women to do. That should not be a role to woman because there are people who get paid to do that professionally at a salon, but some woman do see that as something they must do because it is part of maintaining their husband and fulfilling his wants and needs. There is one line that stands out in this song simply because it is repeated multiple times. It is “Anything you want just let me cater to you”(line 33) It can also seem exaggerated because its saying anything. Anything means no matter what and if as a women I would not say “anything you want” because men will try and take advantage of that. When you ask them if you could do anything for them if they reply with something you do not want to do it could cause a big problem because you were not specific.