Tennessee Williams's Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and Doubt by John Shanley

1732 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: LGBT oppression today

In order to climb up the ladder of society, people oppress those characteristics that lead them to failure. During the 1950’s and 1960’s, homosexuality was seeing as a mental disease of the human race. Homosexuals did not fit in the schema of the American family. Tennessee Williams, in his play “The Cat on the Hot Tin Roof”, shows the effects of society´s views on homosexuals through the main character Brick. In addition to Williams´ play, the theatrical work, “Doubt” by John Shanley, also depicts the struggles that an African American kid undergoes in order to suppress his sexuality. Both plays show two characters in different social classes and from different races trying to survive the denial of society towards their sexual orientation. Through their oppression by male hegemony and with the help of the maternal figure in each play, both Brick and Donald struggle to overcome their fear of acceptance. The patriarchal figures in both plays are portrayed as omnipotent. In other words, both male figures belief that their rules must be obeyed and the expectations they have for their children must be exceeded. Tennessee Williams, depicts Big Daddy as the leader of Brick´s family. Big Daddy is described as an old aristocratic man, living in a mansion. Big Daddy represents the successful American men during the 1950´s a man of power and family priorities. Although this patriarchal figure shows his love for his family through materialism, he also portrays a dominating face through his actions towards his son. By making unrealistic expectations towards, Brick, Big Daddy shows his denial to his son’s homosexual identity. He shows the expectations he has for Brick both in his career and sexually. When having a conversation with Bric... ... middle of paper ... ...ol. Through her actions, Mrs. Muller demonstrates that in comparison to her husband she is willing to be side by side with her son. She shows the portrayal of a comprehensive mother in a society where homosexuality was not accepted. Through the actions of the male hegemony and the mother figure, both plays show the different perspectives both sexes have towards homosexuality. The patriarchal figures, show an intolerant and abusive perspective whereas the mother figures show a more understanding way of coping with the identities of their sons. By seeing the reactions of both males and females, it is to say that the maternal figures of the play show a more comprehensive attitude towards the struggles that the male protagonist undergo. Both plays are related to today´s society, because there are still families in which homosexuality is not accepted. People are still

Show More
Related

  • Happiness in Fences, by August Wilson, and A Raisin in the Sun, by Lorraine Hansbury

    631 Words  | 2 Pages

    Imagine for a moment it is your big sister's 17th birthday. She is out with her friends celebrating, and your parents are at the mall with your little brother doing some last minute birthday shopping, leaving you home alone. You then hear a knock on the front door. When you getthere, nobody is there, just an anonymous note taped to the door that says Happy Birthday, along with a hundred dollar bill. You've been dying to get that new video game, and your sister will never know. You are faced with a tough decision, but not a very uncommon one. In both Fences, by August Wilson, and A Raisin in the Sun, by Lorraine Hansbury, tough decisions have to be made about getting money from someone else's misfortune. But money's that important right?

    Read More

  • Comparing Power and Control in A Raisin In The Sun and Juno and the Paycock

    981 Words  | 2 Pages

    These two plays show dramatically the struggle for authoritative power over the characters lives, families, and societies pressures. The overall tragedy that befalls them as they are swept up in these conflicts distinctly portrays the thematic plot of their common misconception for power and control over their lives.

    Read More

  • Trifles and A Dollhouse

    855 Words  | 2 Pages

    Throughout the plays, the reader can visualize how men dismiss women as trivial and treat them like property, even though the lifestyles they are living in are very much in contrast. The playwrights, each in their own way, are addressing the issues that have negatively impacted the identity of women in society.

    Read More

  • 'I am not a Virginian, but an American' (Patrick Henry). Discuss regional and national identity in American fiction.

    1927 Words  | 4 Pages

    Usually in novels grappling with identity crisis, there is a downfall like for Brick’s struggle to be true to his sexual identity in Tennessee Williams’s play, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. It was in a time when America did not tolerate same sex relationships, so each character acted in accordance with the sexual identity given to their genders. For Seymour, he is heavily praised like some kind of God for his...

    Read More

  • Obstacles In Richard Wright's Native Son

    704 Words  | 2 Pages

    He is a angry young African American man who grew up in south-side Chicago, surrounded by the harsh reality of poverty: in spirit, in education, and of truth. Thus, Bigger is an example of a boy deprived of a father (figure), a boy with an underprivileged education, and the product of a lower and unemployed class. Granted, Bigger got a job through a relationship but there is an obstacle. He is envious of the color of the skin and the privilege that his employer has. Being that, his character of anger transformed into Animosity; that Animosity was released. As a result, Bigger’s story ends in prison like the majority of people placed in his situation. His obstacle of anger prevented what could have been opportunity, of no longer being the employee but working hard enough to become the

    Read More

  • The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams

    2123 Words  | 5 Pages

    Tennessee Williams was born on March 26, 1911. He was the second child of Edwina and Cornelius Coffin Williams. His father was a shoe salesman who spent most of his time away from home. Edwina was a “southern belle” she was snobbish and her behavior was neurotic. As a child, Williams suffered from diphtheria which almost ended his life. Williams attended Soldan High School, a setting he referred to in The Glass Menagerie. Later, he attended University City High School. He then attended the University of Missouri. (Tennessee)

    Read More

  • Devoya Draft

    1250 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...ed. He had to cover his eyes and his mother and sister dress out of respect. To understand Bigger is to understand his mindset, and I agree with the critic when he goes to explain there is nothing to do with the environment but the way that you react with being in that environment. Biggers hardship truly made it easier to understand the way that a black male thinks while not have a male role model or support from your mother in these times encouraging him to be the best man that he can but being hard on him to be the man that she believed that men of Biggers race she be, act and the thing that Bigger does. Everything has a reason but once you’re pushed to the edge there is nothing left to do but jump of move aside and let the other person fall. In this case Bigger fell because his mind wasn’t strong enough to understand that he could go about things differently.

    Read More

  • The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams

    629 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the book, The Glass Menagerie, the main characters want to leave behind what they are

    Read More

  • The Use of Eavesdropping in William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing

    882 Words  | 2 Pages

    are two main plots in the play, both based upon the theme of love. The

    Read More

  • Within a Doll's House

    1514 Words  | 4 Pages

    To sum it up both of these plays share the same broad message conveyed throughout the entire play. Which includes, women have the capabilities to do more than they show and are allowed to do. As well as the relationship men and women share is not constant, or the same, there are many different views on the relationship they share and many different variations that change as time progresses. Furthermore the rights of women also change with much time, and hard work by many women who have worked hard for their rights and future rights of all women. Some of this can lead to these two plays, giving new, bold ideas that were frightening for many during their times but helped for the push for a better tomorrow.

    Read More

  • Gender Differences in Susan Glaspell's Trifles

    1046 Words  | 3 Pages

    In this play, the men and women characters are separated even from their first entrance onto the stage. To the intuitive reader (or playgoer), the gender differences are immediately apparent when the men walk confidently into the room and over to the heater while the women timidly creep only through the door and stand huddled together. This separation between genders becomes more apparent when the characters proceed in investigating the murder. The men focus on means while the women focus on motive: action vs. emotion. While the men...

    Read More

  • The Portaryal of Gender in Othello by William Shakespeare

    1409 Words  | 3 Pages

    The portrayal of gender roles in William Shakespeare’s play Othello, demonstrates the inferior treatment of women and the certain stereotypes of men placed on them by society. Both the male and female characters in the play have these certain gender expectations placed on them. In a society dominated by men, it is understood that the women are to be seen rather than heard. The women are referred to and treated much like property. If indeed they do speak up, they are quickly silenced. One woman’s attempt to be the perfect wife is what ultimately led to her demise. The expectations of men are equally stereotypical. Men are to be leaders and to be in control and dominant especially over the women. The male characters compete for position and use the female characters in the play as leverage to manipulate each other. Shakespeare provides insight in understanding the outcomes of the men and women who are faced with the pressures of trying to live up to society’s expectations, not only in the workplace, but also in the home. The pressure creates jealousy issues amongst the men and they become blind to the voice of reason and are overtaken by jealous rage, leads to the death of many of the characters.

    Read More

  • Father And Son Relationships In Death Of A Salesman By Arthur Miller

    895 Words  | 2 Pages

    In “ The Glass Menagerie,” Tennessee Williams shows this in the interaction between Amanda and her children, Laura and Tim. For example, Miller’s play “Death of A Salesman” shows a father-son relationship, where in certain times Willy, the father, wants to become more of a player in his son’s life that his son believes is necessary. There are several reasons for this, and it can be demonstrated in different ways. Miller is able to give an example of his behavior through the actions of Willy Loman.

    Read More

  • The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams

    1915 Words  | 4 Pages

    Tennessee Williams play The Glass Menagerie relives the horrors of the Great Depression and the effects it had on many people's lives. The story is in many ways about the life of Tennessee Williams himself, as well as a play of fiction that he wrote. However, the story is based on Tennessee and his family's struggle to emotionally deal with the harsh realities that followed the crash of 1929 (807).

    Read More

  • Cat on A Hot Tin Roof

    715 Words  | 2 Pages

    The action seen in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof all occurs in a hot bedroom in a wealthy home on the Mississippi Delta, and, as such, the southern flair that was characteristic of the 1950s—which is when the play is set—acts as a constant backdrop for the onstage events. The curtain first opens on Margaret complaining and nagging her drunken and apathetic husband, Brick. She dislikes her rowdy nieces and nephews sharing the house with them. She wails about the fluctuating prospects of inheritance that may or may not be provided by her near-dead father-in-law. She whines about not having a baby of her own, which she wholeheartedly blames on the fact that Brick has been refusing to sleep with her. The entire first act really reads as a long, extended monologue being given by Margaret with short interruptions by mainly Brick and two other characters who peek their heads in for a moment: Margaret and Brick’s sister-in-law, Mae, and Brick’s mother, Big Mama. Over the course of her diatribe, we learn that the family has gathered together for Big Daddy’s birthday, that Big Daddy is dying of cancer—though both Big Mama and Bid Daddy himself have yet to know this fact—that Margaret is terribly insecure about her inability to have a c...

    Read More

More about Tennessee Williams's Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and Doubt by John Shanley

Open Document