Tennessee Williams's Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and Doubt by John Shanley

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Recommended: LGBT oppression today

In order to climb up the ladder of society, people oppress those characteristics that lead them to failure. During the 1950’s and 1960’s, homosexuality was seeing as a mental disease of the human race. Homosexuals did not fit in the schema of the American family. Tennessee Williams, in his play “The Cat on the Hot Tin Roof”, shows the effects of society´s views on homosexuals through the main character Brick. In addition to Williams´ play, the theatrical work, “Doubt” by John Shanley, also depicts the struggles that an African American kid undergoes in order to suppress his sexuality. Both plays show two characters in different social classes and from different races trying to survive the denial of society towards their sexual orientation. Through their oppression by male hegemony and with the help of the maternal figure in each play, both Brick and Donald struggle to overcome their fear of acceptance.
The patriarchal figures in both plays are portrayed as omnipotent. In other words, both male figures belief that their rules must be obeyed and the expectations they have for their children must be exceeded. Tennessee Williams, depicts Big Daddy as the leader of Brick´s family. Big Daddy is described as an old aristocratic man, living in a mansion. Big Daddy represents the successful American men during the 1950´s a man of power and family priorities. Although this patriarchal figure shows his love for his family through materialism, he also portrays a dominating face through his actions towards his son.
By making unrealistic expectations towards, Brick, Big Daddy shows his denial to his son’s homosexual identity. He shows the expectations he has for Brick both in his career and sexually. When having a conversation with Bric...

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...ol. Through her actions, Mrs. Muller demonstrates that in comparison to her husband she is willing to be side by side with her son. She shows the portrayal of a comprehensive mother in a society where homosexuality was not accepted.
Through the actions of the male hegemony and the mother figure, both plays show the different perspectives both sexes have towards homosexuality. The patriarchal figures, show an intolerant and abusive perspective whereas the mother figures show a more understanding way of coping with the identities of their sons. By seeing the reactions of both males and females, it is to say that the maternal figures of the play show a more comprehensive attitude towards the struggles that the male protagonist undergo. Both plays are related to today´s society, because there are still families in which homosexuality is not accepted. People are still

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