Similarities Between A Streetcar Named Desire And The Great Gatsby

Antagonists often offer a powerful contribution to various pieces of literature. Stanley Kowalski, in “A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams, and Tom Buchanan, in “The Great Gatsby”, both act as valid and powerful antagonists in their respective texts. These two characters share the need to find out the truth about the protagonists of the novels. They both are considered dominant, violent and strong men. They share the trait of honesty, but lack a sense of morality. Although there are evident differences regarding the social class of these two characters, they rightfully serve as similar characters. Both authors used very similar character traits to prove that despite the domineering and abusive mannerisms-characteristics of these

When Stanley beats Stella in Scene 3, the abusive side becomes noticed and readers come to the conclusion that it was not the first time that this act of violence has occurred. (Williams 40). But Stella ends up coming back to him after he cries out to her, and their relationship resumes as it did in the times prior. He is also the one who investigates the protagonists’ (Blanche’s) past; as he knows there are things she is hiding. This need to know about Blanche’s history is driven by his hatred for her aristocratic ways. Furthermore, Stanley makes his dominance apparent through the expression of his sexuality. At the end of the play, he rapes Blanche as a way to regain his dominance in the household. Throughout the play, Blanche slowly gains some control over Stella, and causes disruption to Stanley’s

When Myrtle and Tom get into an argument, Tom unleashes his violent side by slapping his mistress in the face, causing her to break her nose. (Fitzgerald 39) This does not negatively influence their relationship and the two continue to openly see each other. Tom happens to also be the one who investigates Gatsby’s past once he begins the relationship with Daisy: his education and the source of his money. The reason for Tom’s inspection is to expose Gatsby’s past and illegal life, and inform Daisy of his negative thoughts on Gatsby. Additionally, Tom makes his dominance noticeable through his wealth and social status, with the use of racism: "I suppose the latest thing is to sit back and let Mr. Nobody from Nowhere make love to your wife. Well, if that's the idea you can count me out […] Nowadays people begin by sneering at family life and family institutions, and next they'll throw everything overboard and have intermarriage between black and white." (229), believing that he is better than everybody else, coming from a rich aristocratic background; he believes superiority is in his blood. This fuels his main source of power that he exudes within society. Tom is very honest about his affair with Myrtle to his own wife. But, he doesn’t grasp the concept of morality; he is hypocritical, accusing his wife for her affair with Gatsby, but still proceeding with his