What has been the most surprising, interesting, confusing thing about Cat on a Hot Tin Roof thus far? Is there anything you need clarification on at this point?
Years ago divorce was frowned upon, so the need for Maggie to go the distance in her marriage was quit admirable and confusing at the same time. Maggie was described as a beautiful young woman that any man would be happy to share his life with, however Maggie is determined to endure physical, emotional and mental abuse from her husband Brick who is clearly not interested in her.
I really find the need to ask the question, why, why Brick who is obviously enthralled by another man?
Tennessee Williams claimed in several different interviews that Brick is not gay (Williams died in 1980). Why do you think it's so important for Williams to not reveal Brick's sexuality and do you buy his claim that Brick is not gay?
During the time and place of this book, which was middle 40’s early 50’s and in the south of all places, homosexuality was not accepted nor spoken of, or a person would be cast out of his family, social environment and ridiculed to the point of physical abuse by some, and even to the point of the person being murdered for admitting such. Williams was known as an aspiring author to many, however for him to write a book about homosexuals, or should I say, one of the main characters being questionable as gay, would not only change the opinion of everyone who was his fans, but it would be an author’s suicide.
As far as my thoughts about Brick being gay or not, is quite different from others who automatically view him as gay, I feel as though Brick found a friend who he could confide in and be himself, regardless of his family’s reputation of being a highly middle class family.
Brick’s father set some high expectations upon his son’s and was very open as to his opinion of how a “man” should or should not be. Brick didn’t have the aspirations of his brother (Gooper), who was determined to live up to his father’s expectation at all cost.
In what ways does athletics provide cover for homosexual relationships? In other words, does the locker room operate as the ultimate closet? Why might someone seeking to stay in the closet seek out athletics or other more traditionally masculine pursuits? Are there differences between how this might play out in women's and men's sports?
One would assume, homosexual relationships and the locker rooms would go hand in hand, but contrary to belief, in some sports the locker room is a place that men or women can vent and express themselves to others of the same sex, without having a homosexual relationship. However, it can also be a cover for those wanting to “stay in the closet” due to inside the locker rooms is another world for athletes, for example they can cry together, laugh together and so forth without the public being judgmental. Reason being men and women athletes are idols to some young adults as well as adults, and to find out someone they admire might be homosexual would be an outcry to one’s peers.
As far as, someone seeking masculine figures to pursue a possible homosexual relationship would not be surprising due to a masculine male or female could be a cover for some, in that the masculine person in the minds of some wouldn’t be assumed to be gay or lesbian. This is due in part to society’s stereotype of the masculine male or female figure.
Do Sedgwick's observations and the creation of uber-masculine domains such as the locker room (and we can extend this to female masculinity as well) and the military suggest anything about the truth behind our notions about what makes a man a man? Is masculinity a social construction or do all of the values associated with it suggest something essential about men? Is Brick struggling with these issues in the play? Does this have anything to do with why R.A. Dickey was so reluctant to talk about his history of being sexually abused?
Sedgwick’s observation is typical society’s opinion of a man or woman, for example men are taught a man is not to cry which eventually leads to a man or woman having issues with expressing emotions on any level. I wouldn’t consider it a value for a man or woman to be held in such high regards today as when our ancestors set this opinion in motion. It sets a person up to fail in so many ways, one being it is instilled in this person they are not to do this or do that or they will be considered an outcast, which further leads to identity issues with the person. Because, they haven’t been able to become comfortable with or what they want to do in life.
Yes, I would say Brick is struggling with these same issues; he is trying to be comfortable with himself as well as not “embarrass” his Big Daddy. R. A. Dickey as other well-known athletes, was to some even more famous than an actor, musician, or other famous figure. I would say some of the same struggles Brick was having could be compared as to Dickey’s thoughts about how society would view him after he admitted to being sexually abused. For example, some of his thoughts may have been, “will I still be viewed upon as being famous for my athletic abilities or will I become famous as just another athlete who is trying to cover up being gay after my submission about being sexually abused?” Which brings to action as previously stated, a person who wants to vent, release a secret they have suppressed for years and want to be honest with themselves and their fans, but is fearful of releasing those feelings due to being possibly considered an outcast.
Why is it so important for Brick to portray himself as heterosexual? (Remember, this takes place in the 1940s/50s in the deep south). What other issues besides saving face might be bound up in Brick's denial? Does it have anything to do with his relationship with father?
The importance of Brick portraying himself as being heterosexual is primarily due to the time and place that this particular book was written. The middle 40’s to late 50’s in the south, homosexuality was unfounded and never to be thought of during this time and location. Besides saving face Brick has to be a person he isn’t but would rather live a lie than to openly admit his feelings. His father, time and place has all to do with his issues, his relationship with his father is based upon him being “a man” and nothing else.
Works Cited
Williams, T., New Directions Publishing, 1954 - 206 pages.
