Zach Zygmunt

Mrs. Hoffman
English 4H
15 November, 2014

If you want to see the true measure of a man, watch how he treats his inferiors, not
his equals. This quote by world renowned author, J.K Rowling, illustrates her view on
how men should really be perceived. A man doesnt view himself as equal to others, but
dominant and how he interacts with his inferiors shows the type of person he really his.
It is clear that there is still a lack of equality between genders up until this very day. In A
Streetcar Named Desire, Tennessee Williams creates a play that follows the lives of
Stanley and Stella, a lower class couple living in New Orleans, and the problems that
arise when Stellas sister, Blanche, comes to stay with them. Stanley Kowalski represents
the stereotypical American gender roles, which proposes men as the dominant gender,
deserving, the provider of the household and can do as they please, as for a women,
women are supposed to be the caretaker of the house and respect their husband no matter
how they are treated. Stanleys belief in stereotypical gender roles is exhibited throughout
A Streetcar Named Desire by the way he treats females, he often makes himself dominant
over Stella, Blanche, and other females without hesitation and feels that he is deserving
of the utmost respect. The actions of Stanley are very relatable to those that are scene in
animals, and it brings about the idea that sexism and gender roles can be traced back to
when humans were still considered animals.
Is there ever a point where a line gets crossed? In Stanleys mind he can do no wrong,
and if he ever lashes out it is justified. When Stanley gets drunk he has a tendency of

physically abusing Stella. In scene four, Stanley host a poker night at his house and when
Stella tries to break up the party Stanley gets violent. Williams writes, She backs out of
sight. He advances and disappears. There is a sound of a blow (Williams 63). The next
morning following being struck by Stanley, Stella goes right back to him and hints to
Blanche that it is not the first time hes abused her. The act of abusing Stella shows
Stanley feels he is dominant and can do no wrong fulfilling the stereotypical male role.
Males have a history of asserting their dominance through abuse, making the females feel
helpless to the point where their only option is to accept the abuse. Stella justifies that the
reason she went back to Stanley so quickly was because he was great in bed and that he
was sorry for getting violent. If Stanley was really sorry he would have already stopped
putting his hands on Stella. Abusive relationships are not uncommon in the natural
world, a study done by the University of CaliforniaSan Diego claims millions of female
animals are stuck in abusive relationships and dont leave because at this point it has
occurred over and over again for hundreds of thousands of years making it allowed
(Sexism Rampant in Nature). Females have accepted this abuse for hundreds of
thousands of years allowing the idea of male dominance to grow, as humans evolved so
did the idea of gender roles, stereotyping males as the dominant and entitled gender.
One of the most commonly seen gender roles is the male as the worker and provider
and the female as the caretaker of the house. This stereotyping of gender roles is
portrayed in an uncountable number of television shows, where the dad leaves for work
and the mother stays at home to do things around the house. One famous American
television show where this takes place is, The Simpsons, Homer Simpson is the working
parent while Marge stays at home and takes care of the kids. In A Streetcar Named

Desire, Stanley feels it is his responsibility to work and provide while it is Stellas job to
do duties around the house. Following a long day of work Stanley comes home with
dinner for him and Stella and expects Stella to understand it is her responsibility to cook
for them. Stanley says one thing to Stella Meat! (Williams 4) before throwing the
package to her. Stanley does not even ask if Stella will make dinner, he just assumes
because in his mind that is her role as the stereotypical American housewife. The gender
roles of a male as a provider and female as caretaker connects back to the animal
kingdom. Many species of animal such as lions play apart in gender roles, typically, when
a lioness is pregnant and has cubs it is the males responsibility to hunt and bring back
meat for the family. Male lion is essentially the provider while the lioness is the caretaker,
the stereotypical American gender roles can connect in many ways to sexism in the
animal world.
Rape is a very serious and touchy topic in the real world. However, it is safe to say
when one hears of a rape it can almost be certain a male is the rapist. Stereotypical males
feel the urge to assert their dominance and power, which Stanley Kowalski shows
throughout the novel. When Stanley rapes Stella sister, Blanche, he shows that he sees
females as lesser than him and he is entitled to anything he wants. In scene eight, Stanley
says, And I am the king around here, and so dont forget it (Williams 131). This quote
emphasizes how Stanley portrays himself, kings were allowed to do whatever they
wanted and got whatever they wanted as well. By raping Blanche, Stanley got what he
wanted which was Blanche out of the house and to flex his dominance. Showing his
dominance is exactly what the stereotypical male is made out to do. In the animal world,
it is acceptable for the males of certain species to have many mating partners (Sexism

Rampant in Nature). Ultimately, the dominance of males in certain species is determined

by the number of offspring they have to continue their bloodline. Males have a desire for
dominance through sexual intercourse which is seen in the animal world and human
world.
Stanley Kowalski is a shining example of the stereotypical American male. He pictures
himself above every female and feels entitled. His actions towards women show he truly
believes that men are dominant/ the providers and women should listen to what they are
told and it is the females job to do work around the house. Stanleys actions are very
comparable to those seen in the animal world. There are many similarities between
human gender roles and animal gender roles. It is believed humans evolved from an ape
like animal so its possible human gender roles were established long before humans ever
existed. Gender roles are existent because they have been accepted for millions of years
and passed down from generation to generation. Should gender roles be seen as negative
stereotyping or a part of nature?

Works Cited

Rowling, J.K. BrainyQuote.com. Xplore Inc, 2014. Web. 14 November 2014.

Study Finds Sexism Rampant in Nature. The Onion: Americas Finest News Source.
n.p. 13
March. 2002. Web. 14 November 2014.
Williams, Tennessee. A Streetcar Named Desire. New York: New Directions Publishing
Corporation, 1947. Print.