Stagnant Gender Roles

Drama and Theater > American
Gender and Sexuality > Gender Studies

This paper discusses how gender roles remain constant in theater throughout history by comparing "The Glass Menagerie" by Tennessee Williams and "Sure Thing" by David Ives.

1,037 words () | 0 sources | MLA | 2002 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the fact that the plays "The Glass Menagerie" and "Sure Thing" were penned almost 50 years apart and yet they rely on the same types of gender roles. The paper compares the two, using several examples from both plays, including quotes, and discusses the topics of courtship and work. The paper focuses on the main characters in "The Glass Menagerie" as well as the only two characters in "Sure Thing."

From the Paper:

"Nothing remains more stagnant than gender roles. Throughout history, class structure, race, and numerous other factors, the role of male and female rarely change. The man remains seen as the head of the house hence the phrase "man of the house" the moneymaker, the one who always goes out to work, and the dominant force in a woman's life. The womanly role stays the same as well she takes care of the kids, stays at home when someone becomes ill, and puts her needs behind those of others. "The Glass Menagerie" and "Sure Thing" stay consistent with these roles of male and female, regardless of the time period they come from and the race and class or social background of the people in the play."