Essay 1

Rick Gramazio

Professor Brady

English 102

2/28/11

            Before the women’s rights movement occurred around the world, women were held to a certain expectation by men. Whether it be the early 1900’s or 441 B.C, the everyday life of women was neither of power nor respect.  In both the stories Antigone written by Sophocles, and A Street Car Named Desire written by Tennessee Williams, we are given concrete examples of how women were viewed and thought of in society.  Their opinions and feelings were not valued and were often ignored by the men in their lives. Women were not equal to men and whenever they tried to go against the grain and act on their own beliefs and emotions, they were often punished.

            In Antigone, the time period takes place in an ancient Greek empire where a small kingdom has just fought a civil war between two brothers vowing for rights to the kingship. The daughter of the former King, named Antigone finds herself in a moral dilemma. She had lost both of her brothers in the battle for divine rights, and now wishes to mourn the death of her fallen brothers. However, the next in line to the throne Creon, who was also her uncle, forbid the burying or mourning of her rebel brother Polynices. Women in these times were to oblige men no matter how they felt about what was going on in their lives. They were to have preselected husbands, cook, and do the dirty work for the family. The gender inequality is very straight forward and obvious in this passage from the story. “Ismene to Antigone: But the unhappy corpse of Polyneices he has proclaimed to all citizens, they say, no man may hide in a grave nor mourn in funeral but leave unwept, unburied, a dainty proclaimed treasure for the birds that see him”(Sophocles 1131). The fear in Ismene’s words are obvious. Not only is she scared of defying the orders of her king, but also the orders of a man.

            Segregation between men and women in a patriarchy is clearly defined during the poker night. “Poker shouldn’t be played in a house with women.” This reflects the social norms and the  dominant belief that woman should be disassociated from masculine activities. This form of masculine bonding completely excludes Stella and Blanche,and their early return wreaks havoc in the house. Stanley is unable to prevent Mitch’s desertion of the game, and is left virtually powerless. His violent outbursts are desperate attempts to exert his dominance. “Stanley gives a loud whack of his hand on her thigh.” It becomes apparent that Stanley’s threatening words are not enough, and he begins to use violence as a physical means of controlling Stella, and frightening Blanche.

            Segregation between men and women in a patriarchy is clearly defined during the poker night. “Poker shouldn’t be played in a house with women.” This reflects the social norms and the  dominant belief that woman should be disassociated from masculine activities. This form of masculine bonding completely excludes Stella and Blanche. Their early return wreaks havoc in the house. Stanley is unable to prevent Mitch’s desertion of the game, and is left virtually powerless. His violent outbursts are desperate attempts to exert his dominance. “Stanley gives a loud whack of his hand on her thigh.” It becomes apparent that Stanley’s threatening words are not enough, and he begins to use violence as a physical means of controlling Stella, and frightening Blanche.