Contents
Reputation.............................................................................................................................................1
Role-playing...........................................................................................................................................2
Masculinity............................................................................................................................................2
Duty.......................................................................................................................................................2
Gender...................................................................................................................................................3
Class.......................................................................................................................................................3
Power....................................................................................................................................................4
Pride......................................................................................................................................................4
Desire.....................................................................................................................................................4
Betrayal.................................................................................................................................................5
Independence........................................................................................................................................5
Morality.................................................................................................................................................6
Love.......................................................................................................................................................6
Family....................................................................................................................................................7
Tragedy..................................................................................................................................................7
Fate........................................................................................................................................................8
Siblings...................................................................................................................................................8
Staging...................................................................................................................................................8
Reputation
Streetcar
- Blanche’s reputation in Laurel is a secret that Stanley digs for
- She is trying to salvage her reputation with Shep Huntleigh
- Mitch doesn’t want to be with her after finding out her full story – not perfect
enough as a woman
ADH
- Torvald’s reputation is on the line because of Nora
- In the same way Krogstad’s reputation was ruined “morally destroyed man”
- “condemned to humiliation… for the weakness of a woman” – very connected to
gender and power balance
Antigone
- Creon is determined to punish Antigone to save his own reputation
, - Does not want to relent and give in to the advisors – even when the seer arrives and
advises him against his course of actions
Role-playing
Streetcar
- Blanche making things not as they are
- Playing the role as a young, pure woman (excessive bathing) in order to get what she
wants (stability)
- The veneer is broken by Stanley who is determined to ruin her – culminates in the
rape
ADH
- Nora as Torvald’s doll
- Helmer leads Nora almost forcibly down the hall.
- “Correct me, lead me”
- The children are also playing the part as Nora’s dolls – everything is staged for the
perfect image
Masculinity
Streetcar
- Stanley asserts his dominance – animalistic portrayal – emblem of the gaudy seed
bearer
- Early on – Napoleonic Code
- Constant threat over Blanche
- “He smashed all the light bulbs with the heel of my slipper!” – Stella describing her
wedding night – toxic masculinity – expected from Stanley
- Asserts dominance over friends, Stella and Blanche – eg poker night – Stanley bullies
Mitch for talking about his mother + he hits Stella (foreshadows later violence)
- “I am the king around here so don’t forget it.”
Doll’s House
- As a man, Torvald is expected to fulfil certain roles + has complete control over Nora
and her actions
- “His duty as a husband” “he’s so proud of being a man” – Nora understands the
fragility of his masculinity
- “You weren’t the man I thought you to be” – doesn’t live up to the expectation
Duty
Streetcar
- Familial duty – Stella taking in Blanche
- "I love waiting on you blanche. It makes it feel like home."
- Napleonic code – financial duty
Reputation.............................................................................................................................................1
Role-playing...........................................................................................................................................2
Masculinity............................................................................................................................................2
Duty.......................................................................................................................................................2
Gender...................................................................................................................................................3
Class.......................................................................................................................................................3
Power....................................................................................................................................................4
Pride......................................................................................................................................................4
Desire.....................................................................................................................................................4
Betrayal.................................................................................................................................................5
Independence........................................................................................................................................5
Morality.................................................................................................................................................6
Love.......................................................................................................................................................6
Family....................................................................................................................................................7
Tragedy..................................................................................................................................................7
Fate........................................................................................................................................................8
Siblings...................................................................................................................................................8
Staging...................................................................................................................................................8
Reputation
Streetcar
- Blanche’s reputation in Laurel is a secret that Stanley digs for
- She is trying to salvage her reputation with Shep Huntleigh
- Mitch doesn’t want to be with her after finding out her full story – not perfect
enough as a woman
ADH
- Torvald’s reputation is on the line because of Nora
- In the same way Krogstad’s reputation was ruined “morally destroyed man”
- “condemned to humiliation… for the weakness of a woman” – very connected to
gender and power balance
Antigone
- Creon is determined to punish Antigone to save his own reputation
, - Does not want to relent and give in to the advisors – even when the seer arrives and
advises him against his course of actions
Role-playing
Streetcar
- Blanche making things not as they are
- Playing the role as a young, pure woman (excessive bathing) in order to get what she
wants (stability)
- The veneer is broken by Stanley who is determined to ruin her – culminates in the
rape
ADH
- Nora as Torvald’s doll
- Helmer leads Nora almost forcibly down the hall.
- “Correct me, lead me”
- The children are also playing the part as Nora’s dolls – everything is staged for the
perfect image
Masculinity
Streetcar
- Stanley asserts his dominance – animalistic portrayal – emblem of the gaudy seed
bearer
- Early on – Napoleonic Code
- Constant threat over Blanche
- “He smashed all the light bulbs with the heel of my slipper!” – Stella describing her
wedding night – toxic masculinity – expected from Stanley
- Asserts dominance over friends, Stella and Blanche – eg poker night – Stanley bullies
Mitch for talking about his mother + he hits Stella (foreshadows later violence)
- “I am the king around here so don’t forget it.”
Doll’s House
- As a man, Torvald is expected to fulfil certain roles + has complete control over Nora
and her actions
- “His duty as a husband” “he’s so proud of being a man” – Nora understands the
fragility of his masculinity
- “You weren’t the man I thought you to be” – doesn’t live up to the expectation
Duty
Streetcar
- Familial duty – Stella taking in Blanche
- "I love waiting on you blanche. It makes it feel like home."
- Napleonic code – financial duty
