1. Introduction
There are certain characteristics in Joe Orton’s plays that are very typical and of distinctive significance. The aspect of gender roles is one of those characteristics. The purpose of this paper is to explain, why the aspect of gender roles is so important, which different concepts of gender roles we can distinguish in Orton’s plays and, eventually, to show and explain those different concepts explicitly at three selected plays.
2. What are gender roles?
Before we are going to discuss the impact of gender roles in Orton’s plays, we should give a short definition of what is meant by this term.
Sex and gender are two terms that have to be clearly distinguished from each other. Whereas the term sex means the natural sex of a person, animal or thing, the term gender is aimed at the grammatical and sociological system of sex-references. In the German language, e.g., the grammatical gender of a girl is neuter (das Mädchen) although her natural sex is, of course, feminine. In our context the term gender refers to the different concepts of roles that exist in society, i.e. different sets of norms for behaviour that are associated with being either feminine or masculine and thus create sexual identity. A traditional concept of the feminine role would, for instance, be the one of the housewife and mother, staying at home, cooking and looking after the children. Accordingly, the traditional concept of the masculine role would be the one of the hard-working head of the family. Of course, there are lots of other concepts, some of which we will find in Orton’s plays.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. What are gender roles?
3. The concepts of sexuality and gender in Orton’s plays
4. The Conception of the Characters
5. Sex and Crime in "Loot"
5.1 Fay
5.2 McLeavy
5.3 Hal and Dennis
5.4 Truscott
5.5 The Mummy
5.6 Summary
6. The Triangular Relationship in "Entertaining Mr. Sloane"
6.1 Kath
6.2 Ed
6.3 Sloane
6.4 Kemp
6.4 Kath, Ed and Sloane – the triangular relationship
7. Role Switching and Sexual Identity in “What the Butler Saw”
7.1 Dr. Prentice
7.2 Mrs. Prentice
7.3 Dr. Rance
7.4 Nick
7.5 Geraldine Barclay
7.6 Sergeant Match
8. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the significance of gender roles within Joe Orton’s dramatic works, investigating how different concepts of sexuality and identity are constructed, subverted, and parodied. By analyzing three selected plays, the study explores the intersection of social norms, criminal behavior, and the performative nature of gender identity in the face of authority.
- The differentiation between sex and gender as sociological constructs.
- The influence of the Dionysian spirit and aggressive subversion in Orton’s theater.
- The characterization of stereotypical gender roles and their disruption through farce.
- An analysis of "Loot," "Entertaining Mr. Sloane," and "What the Butler Saw."
- The role of "masks" and hermeticism in concealing true identity.
Excerpt from the Book
5.1 Fay
We will begin with the character the play begins with: Fay. Her beautiful, feminine outward appearance and her profession as a nurse evoke the impression of a nice, harmless person, who finds fulfilment in helping people. Actually she is a ruthless, cold and calculating person who murders the people she is meant to care for. She is well aware of her attraction as a woman and uses it as a means to reach her purposes by seducing and flirting with the men she intends to marry and murder. On the other hand her feminine appearance and nurse outfit are a perfect disguise for her evil intentions.
We are, of course, especially interested in the gender aspect of this conception of a character. Her outward ‘false seeming’, as Draught calls it, is only false, because it presupposes certain expectations concerning her inner self, which turn out to be wrong afterwards. In general, people working in professions in social welfare are thought of to have a philanthropic attitude towards human beings. Their job is to help people who are sick, old or disabled or in any (social) state of emergency. Very often, these tasks are executed by members of the Church. One would not expect criminal energy in such people as this would form a contradiction to the philosophy of their profession.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the research focus on gender roles and the decision to analyze three specific plays by Joe Orton.
2. What are gender roles?: Provides a foundational distinction between biological sex and sociological gender norms.
3. The concepts of sexuality and gender in Orton’s plays: Discusses the influence of Nietzsche’s Apollonian and Dionysian spirits on the aggressive, subversive nature of Orton’s characters.
4. The Conception of the Characters: Analyzes the use of stereotypes and "masks" as a means for characters to protect themselves from reality.
5. Sex and Crime in "Loot": Examines how characters like Fay and Truscott utilize social expectations and disguises to hide their criminal intent.
6. The Triangular Relationship in "Entertaining Mr. Sloane": Investigates the complex power dynamics and sexual competition between Kath, Ed, and Sloane.
7. Role Switching and Sexual Identity in “What the Butler Saw”: Explores the farce of identity, cross-dressing, and Freudian analysis within a clinical setting.
8. Conclusion: Summarizes the diverse gender roles across the plays and the overarching themes of criminal energy and sexual desire.
Keywords
Joe Orton, gender roles, sexuality, drama, farce, subversion, identity, sexual politics, stereotypical characters, social norms, criminal energy, theatrical performance, gender performance, Dionysian spirit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on the significance of gender roles in the plays of Joe Orton, exploring how he disrupts traditional concepts of masculinity and femininity through farcical characterizations.
Which thematic fields are central to the study?
The central themes include the distinction between sex and gender, the subversion of social authority, the performance of identity through "masks," and the intersection of sexuality and criminal energy.
What is the primary objective of the work?
The aim is to identify and explain different concepts of gender roles in Orton’s plays and to illustrate these concepts through detailed analyses of three specific dramatic works.
Which methodology is applied in this research?
The study employs a literary and sociological analysis, utilizing existing secondary literature and Nietzschean concepts to interpret character behavior and social critique within the text.
What topics are discussed in the main section?
The main section provides an in-depth analysis of "Loot," "Entertaining Mr. Sloane," and "What the Butler Saw," focusing on character studies, interpersonal conflicts, and the inversion of traditional moral values.
Which keywords best characterize the paper?
Keywords include Joe Orton, gender roles, sexuality, farce, identity, subversion, social norms, and criminal energy.
How does the author interpret the "mummy" in "Loot"?
The author argues that the mummy acts as an object of projection, where characters impose gender, religion, and moral values onto a dead corpse, treating it as a living entity.
Why does the author consider Geraldine Barclay the "norm" in "What the Butler Saw"?
Geraldine is presented as the norm because, despite being a victim of the chaotic environment, she is the only character who retains a natural sense of shame and remains unaffected by the confusion of sexual identities triggered by cross-dressing.
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- Maritta Schwartz (Autor:in), 1999, The concept and impact of gender roles in Joe Orton s plays, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/5112
