Stereotypical Gender Roles and their Patriarchal Effects in A Streetcar Named Desire

Abstract:

Stereotypical gender roles have probably existed as long as human culture and are such a natural part if our lives that we barely take notice of them. Nevertheless, images of what we perceive as typically masculine and feminine in appearance and behavior depend on the individual’s perception. Within each gender one can find different stereotypes. A commonly assumed idea is that men are hard tough, while women are soft and vulnerable.

I find it interesting hoe stereotypes function and how they are preserved almost without our awareness. Once I started reading and researching the topic of stereotypes it became clear to me that literature contains many stereotypes.

The intension of this essay is to critically examine the stereotypical gender roles in the play A Streetcar Named Desire, written by Tennessee Williams in 1947. It is remarkable how the author portrays the three main characters: Stanley, Stella and Blanche. The sharp contracts and the dynamics between them are fascinating.