Gender Discriminations as Portrayed in Budd Schulberg’s “On the Waterfront” Essay

literary forms reflect most of the time social conditions and scenario. This is because most writers have the gift of being sensitive to their surroundings. A lot of writers have already wrote about the pains of war, the stories of success, and criticisms about the existing flaws of the society. When narrating about war, writers never parry to touch the topic of patriotism. When it is a story of success that they de mand to write, they always incorporate the keys to success. However, when criticizing the society, most writers concentrate on often on two themes the struggles between the wealthy and the poor and gender discrimination.For example, in Budd Schulbergs On the Waterfront, gender criticism is one of the compelling themes the author has presented and embedded in the story. However, unlike other gender-based novels, On the Waterfront does not mainly focus on one gender but tackles both criticisms pointing to males and females. The novel suggests that gender-defined roles i mpair ment both gender along with greed for power. Criticisms on Women In the society that Schulberg has created, the D and D society, women calculate to be victims of double jeopardy. Here the women are being discriminated in two levels.First, they are abused as being women in general and second, they are abused by their own society led by Johnny Friendly. In the novel, women already experience household violence, specifically coming from their husbands or other members of the family. For example, Edie, has see to be limited by his own father. It could be remembered that Edies father wants her to continue pursuing college tho Pop, Ive seen things that I know are so wrong. Now how can I go screen to school and keep my mind on on things that are just in books, that-that-that arent nation living? Although one way of empowering women is to educate them, it is more empowering for them to follow their own will and not be dictated by others. Edies decision to stay in Brooklyn to sea rch the truth behind the devastation of his brother could be considered as more rewarding than to attain a degree in college. Her father, on the other hand, might not be aware of what he did. Nevertheless, his action could be considered an act of constricting the rights of women to think and act on their own. Criticisms A watchst Men Clearly, the novel shows more cases of criticisms and abuse against men than women.Unlike women, men in the D and D society are not victims of two-level criticisms. However, the abuse they experience seems to be as heavy as the abuse those of women. In their society, those who are in power mainly abduct their rightsthe members of the mob-connected union, particularly their leader Johnny Friendly. The novel intelligibly shows how the rights of men to live and to speak the truth were violated. They are not simply hurt physically they lose their lives once they go against the union. But Schulberg did not stop on that he even explored the psychology of how men hurt each others feelings.For example, one of the biggest conflicts in the story is the dispute between siblings Terry and Charley You dont understand. I coulda had class. I could have been a contender. I could have been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am, lets face it. It was you, Charley. (Shulberg p. 266) These lines from Terry clearly shows that it was indeed a hard life for people to live having dispute with their family. Greed for Power away from gender criticisms, another theme that is present in On the Waterfront deals with the greed for power.In the story, Schulberg clearly shows how slice can become a monster just to achieve a power comparable to that of a god. This universal truth, in reality, also damage both gender. Being greed for power could push a person, regardless of gender, to commit actions that violate both the law and morality. In the novel, killing people and oppressing them just to appease in power is one vivid example. Johnny Friendly , together with other members of the union, is evidently guilty of it You want to know whats wrong with our waterfront? Its the get along of a lousy buck.Its making love of a buck the cushy job more important than the love of man (Schulberg p. 225). These lines from one of the characters in the novel is an attempt to verbalize the problem with the D and D society. People are so negligent on how to gain power over other people. Thus, one effective way to do this is to gain an incredible amount of cash. In summary, On the Waterfront tries to capture forms of abuse that are a result of greed and the need for power. The novel clearly shows, through the character of Johnny Friendly, how man can be blind by his constant pursuit for money and power.Generally, it is the greed for wealth that a person could lose his palpate of what is right and what is wrong. To dream of becoming rich is not a bad dream. It is in the nature of man to look for ways on how to improve himself and his condi tion. But when the dreamer let himself to be carried away by the grandiosity of wealth, the dream will suddenly turn into a nightmare. As a result, greed for money and power both damage men and women. Both are threats to the rights and freedom of people. Moreover, it is a stain of our society, naturalize Cited Schulberg, Budd. On the Waterfront. Pennsylvania Continuum Intl Pub Group, 1985