Throughout global history one of the most catastrophic social separations implemented in society is the inferiority of women. Unfortunately this divide has been documented as far back as we can recall. In various works of literature the inequality between the male and female race has been eluded to (Beliefs about the nature of sex/gender and ethnic inequality). For example, The play “A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams was written in the 1940’s, and the greek play “Antigone” by Sophocles was dated back to 441 B.C. Both of these plays, although very different, draw huge parallels when it comes to the way in which society judges man vs woman.
Specifically in the play Antigone, by Sophocles, gender inequality is presented in a multitude of degrading phrases. The main character Antigone Carried out a selfless act against her uncle Creon to ensure her brother Polyneices got the rights to a proper burial after he had passed on. Creon (the new king) felt the need to display his superiority to his new city, and once he was infringed upon he quickly went with the assumption that a man carried out this rebellious act instead of a women. The audience was displayed Creons feelings of superiority to the female race when he says that no women is strong enough to carry out this deed, and later explains that he, “… cannot give victory to a woman” (line 729). This situation in the play greatly relates to the gender inequality in South Asian Society. In their society women are not allowed to have any sort of voice in government affairs, let alone be a part of the government. Luckily for Antigone the bias was yet another excuse to stand up against her uncle and the unfair ruling aspects that were infringed upon her. Unfortunately, on the other hand, in South Asian society, “Gender inequality in mental health, pervasive in South Asian societies, indicates biases in power, resources, entitlements, and the way organizations are arranged and programs are designed to adversely affect the lives of millions of women” (Tabassum, 203). This aspect of the world in the past and current day, has affected the entire female race internationally.
A Streetcar Named Desire, established in the 1940’s, shows a whole other aspect of gender inequality. The gap between the respect women as compared to men is extrapolated upon throughout the personal relationships. Blanche’s sister Stella shows the audience the lack her own husband has for her and the other women around her. Stella’s husband, Stanley, is known to be discriminatory to his wife and sister in law throughout the play, and ultimately rapes the main character blanche. The most unfortunate part of the entire storyline is Stanley walks away virtually unharmed because nobody “believes” he is capable of this vulgar power-hungry, and selfish act. Blanche shows everyone her insecurity when she says “why are you looking at me like that, is something wrong with me?” (1233). As a result of this ignominious crime, Blanche is sent away with no dignity, self love or respect; she is more insecure now than ever before. This relates to the recent dispute between Larry Nassar, and the USA junior gymnastics team. This year Mr. Nassar was taken into custody and tried for an obscene amount of sexual abuse situations with the women of this gymnastics team (People, 65). Like Stanley, Nassar was in search of displaying his superiority and power towards the women of the team. The levels of gender inequality in close relationships are astoundingly large in both unfortunate situations.
Both Antigone and A Streetcar Named Desire give readers a profound perspective on the long struggle of inequality between the genders. Both main characters Antigone and Blanche are degraded and looked over due to the fact that they are women. Creon cannot fathom the fact that Antigone was able to pull off this crime herself because she is not strong enough (Sophocles), and Blanche is not taken seriously by anyone because Stanley is the man with the power. For example, in Antigone, Creon says that, “When I am alive, no women shall rule” (line 577). In this exemplar the “king” is showing the audience that it would be a disappointment to society and himself if a women was ever able to rule or be above male law. In A Streetcar Named Desire, Stanley begins to notice a change in his wife behavior due to Blanche’s presence which causes him to be angered. Stanley says, “Pig—Polak—disgusting—vulgar—greasy!—them kind of words have been on your [Stella's] tongue and your sister's too much around here! What do you two think you are? A pair of queens?” (Williams). This shows the struggle between the role of men and women in society. The men of both stories display an internal struggle they contain due to the uprising of powerful women.
Gender inequality is a significant conflict throughout a long period of time within society. Antigone shows the gender Inequality within the governmental system, which relates to the South Asian government which discriminates against their female citizens. A Streetcar Named Desire displays the struggle between men and women between personal and professional relationships. This relates to the situation between Larry Nassar and the Female junior gymnastics team. A way in which to create a more understandable and kind world is to become less secular and discriminatory, treat everyone as equals, and focus on overall happiness opposed to judgement.
Works Cited
Dodd, Johnny and Megan Johnson. "ALY RAISMAN 'What I Went through Was Horrific'."
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Eisinga, Rob, et al. "Beliefs about the nature of sex/gender and ethnic inequality." International
Journal of Comparative Sociology, vol. 40, no. 2, 1999, p. 231+. Academic OneFile,
u=sunyfarm_main&sid=AONE&xid=219e2c8a. Accessed 13 Mar. 2018.
Sophocles, “Antigone.” The Norton Introduction to Literature, by Sophocles, W.W. Norton &
Company, 2013.
Tabassum, R. "Gender Inequality in Mental Health: A Review from the South Asian Context."
Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science, vol. 16, no. 2, Apr. 2017, pp. 203-206.
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Williams, Tennessee. “A Streetcar Named Desire.” The Norton Introduction to Literature, by
Sophocles, W.W. Norton & Company, 2013.
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