Suffering of men SND

Point

See how men that don’t fit societies expectation of typical hegemonic man often experience isolation, marginalization, and a profound sense of suffering as they navigate societal norms that dictate masculinity.

Suffering as a result of his sick mother

“Shut up” “ I’ll be alone when she goes” “We’ll fix you a sugar-tit” - Mitch’s vulnerability and suffering is mocked here by Stanley as a representation of toxic masculinity.

• He is infantilised showing how emotional expression is feminised and mocked in this male-dominated world

• Portrayed as an outsider for showing emotional vulnerability

The quote underlines how Stanley’s world is governed by dominance, mockery, and power — and anyone who steps outside of that is degraded and punished

Context - post war america

reinforces a hyper-masculine environment where showing emotion is ridiculed in post-war America

emotional vulnerability = weakness.

Mental illness was seen as a weakness, particularly in men — leading to isolation, alcoholism, depression, and, for some, suicide.

AO5 - feminist look

Feminist critics might see this moment as part of Williams' critique of post-war American masculinity, where men were expected to suppress emotion -suffer in silence

The resignation of Mitch at end of play

Despite Mitch embracing the toxic masculinity embraced by society we see how he suffers internally more greatly for his display of masculinity

Scene 11: Mitch's resignation highlights the emotional cost of conforming to societal expectations of masculinity, ultimately revealing his internal conflict and profound suffering.

“You..you…you..Brag…Brag” - inner turmoil - mental instability

“(His gaze dissolved into space)” - defeated man

Comparison

However - Malfi see how male characters in the play suffer despite being the idealised version of toxic masculinity - Ferdinand and his lycanthropy “He fancies himself a wolf” - perhaps incestuous desire punished for