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It can be difficult to include all of the assessment objectives in your essay, or link them together. Here is an example of a paragraph on The Duchess of Malfi and A Streetcar Named Desire. Read it and then use the highlighting tool to identify where in the paragraph each of the different assessment objectives is addressed.
“What strikes us most forcibly is the essential powerlessness of women.” In the light of this statement, explore connections between The Duchess of Malfi an A Streetcar Named Desire.
Both Stanley, in ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’, and Ferdinand, in ‘The Duchess of Malfi’, show how women are stripped of power through the male characters’ violent and aggressive styles of masculinity which makes a powerful impression upon the audience. Williams’ first description of Stanley shows him carrying ‘a red-stained package from a butcher’s’. The ‘red-stained’ package has connotations of danger, violence and blood, stating Stanley’s role almost as a predator, bringing home a kill and establishing his power over his wife. An alternative interpretation is that he conforms to the 1940s gender stereotype of being the working man, bringing home the food for his family. His aggressive masculinity, and Stella’s powerlessness, are reinforced when he throws the package at Stella, shouting ‘catch!’ The monosyllabic imperative suggests he is exerting his power over her as though she is a servant or even a dog. When he later ‘whacks Stella’s thigh’ it further emphasizes his masculine dominance through aggression. Similarly, Ferdinand is aggressive and domineering towards his sister, The Duchess, threatening her with a dagger and conforming to the Jacobean gender stereotype that men were expected to be strong, dominating and controlling of the women in their lives. He tells Bosola ‘I would not have her marry again’. The personal pronoun at the start demonstrates that he puts himself before his sister, while the ‘have her’ suggests he feels she is his property, attitudes which deny her power over her own situation. White suggests that both Ferdinand and the Cardinal are ‘men to be despised’ which is clear not just through their views on ownership over their sister, but their violent actions to kill her. Similarly, Stanley is presented as a man ‘to be despised’ when he exerts his will over the powerless Blanche and rapes her. In both plays, it is the removal of women’s power by exploitative men that is most striking, especially to a modern audience.
Now have a look at where we think some of the assessment objectives have been addressed. It is important to remember that some sections of the answer will cover more than one assessment objective at the same time, but may only be highlighted in one colour.
Click on each assessment objective to reveal the highlights.
“What strikes us most forcibly is the essential powerlessness of women.” In the light of this statement, explore connections between The Duchess of Malfi an A Streetcar Named Desire.
Both Stanley, in ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’, and Ferdinand, in ‘The Duchess of Malfi’, show how women are stripped of power through the male characters’ violent and aggressive styles of masculinity which makes a powerful impression upon the audience. Williams’ first description of Stanley shows him carrying ‘a red-stained package from a butcher’s’. The ‘red-stained’ package has connotations of danger, violence and blood, stating Stanley’s role almost as a predator, bringing home a kill and establishing his power over his wife. An alternative interpretation is that he conforms to the 1940s gender stereotype of being the working man, bringing home the food for his family. His aggressive masculinity, and Stella’s powerlessness, are reinforced when he throws the package at Stella, shouting ‘catch!’ The monosyllabic imperative suggests he is exerting his power over her as though she is a servant or even a dog. When he later ‘whacks Stella’s thigh’ it further emphasizes his masculine dominance through aggression. Similarly, Ferdinand is aggressive and domineering towards his sister, The Duchess, threatening her with a dagger and conforming to the Jacobean gender stereotype that men were expected to be strong, dominating and controlling of the women in their lives. He tells Bosola ‘I would not have her marry again’. The personal pronoun at the start demonstrates that he puts himself before his sister, while the ‘have her’ suggests he feels she is his property, attitudes which deny her power over her own situation. White suggests that both Ferdinand and the Cardinal are ‘men to be despised’ which is clear not just through their views on ownership over their sister, but their violent actions to kill her. Similarly, Stanley is presented as a man ‘to be despised’ when he exerts his will over the powerless Blanche and rapes her. In both plays, it is the removal of women’s power by exploitative men that is most striking, especially to a modern audience.