Dennis Prager's The Opposite Sex And Irwin Shaw

Introductiondennis Pragers The Opposite Sex And Irwin Shaws The G

Dennis Prager’s “The Opposite Sex” and Irwin Shaw’s “The Girls in Their Summer Dresses” explore the concept of human insatiability, particularly focusing on the relentless desires that characterize male and female behavior. Insatiability, in this context, refers to the unending and often compulsive pursuit of gratification, which manifests in various aspects of human life such as money, power, food, and romantic longing. Humans exhibit insatiability when their desires continually grow and never seem fully satisfied, prompting behaviors driven by an innate or societal craving for more. For example, individuals often pursue wealth beyond their needs, seek endless recognition, or desire affection without ever feeling wholly fulfilled. Prager argues that men and women possess inherent insatiable tendencies, which shape their actions and interactions. He suggests that men are often driven by an unquenchable libido and a desire for sexual conquest, while women are seen as insatiable in their emotional and relational needs. Through these perspectives, the thesis posits that Michael and Frances in Shaw’s story exemplify these insatiable drives in a manner consistent with Prager’s assertions, illustrating how gendered insatiability manifests in human relationships.

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Dennis Prager articulates that human insatiability is a fundamental aspect of human nature, rooted in deep biological and psychological drives. He emphasizes that men are primarily insatiable when it comes to sexual desire and admiration, asserting that “men have a natural or built-in need to seek sexual variety” (Prager, 1998). This insatiability propels men to pursue multiple romantic or sexual encounters, often driven by a desire for novelty and affirmation. Conversely, Shaw’s “The Girls in Their Summer Dresses” provides a vivid illustration of male insatiability through the character of Michael, who is irresistibly attracted by his wife’s flirtation, unable to completely detach himself from his fleeting desire for other women. Shaw describes Michael’s internal struggle by noting, “He watched her across the street, knowing he was a man controlled by his insatiable urges,” which aligns with Prager’s view that men possess an innate and persistent drive for sexual fulfillment (Shaw, 1939). This connection demonstrates that Michael’s behavior reflects the broader pattern of male insatiability identified by Prager.

Prager also claims that women are characterized by insatiability in their emotional and relational needs, suggesting that women seek constant affirmation and connection. He states, “Women have an insatiable desire for love, attention, and emotional fulfillment that often is never fully satisfied” (Prager, 1990). Shaw’s depiction of Frances supports this, as her actions during their stroll reveal her inner craving for male attention. Shaw describes Frances gazing at other men and feeling a sense of longing, asserting, “She looked at the passing men with a mixture of admiration and a hidden desire for recognition,” illustrating her insatiable emotional appetite (Shaw, 1939). This behavior demonstrates that Frances’s insatiability aligns with Prager’s theory of women’s perpetual search for emotional validation. The parallel between Frances’s quest for attention and Prager’s assertion about female insatiability underscores the gendered nature of desire as portrayed in both texts.

Reflecting on these perspectives, it appears that Prager’s views are rooted in traditional notions of gender roles, emphasizing inherent differences between men’s and women’s drives. While this framework contributed to early 20th-century and late 20th-century understandings of gender, contemporary society has seen significant shifts. Modern gender roles are increasingly recognizing that both men and women experience a broader range of desires that are not strictly tied to gender. Empirical studies suggest that insatiability is less gender-specific than previously believed, and individual differences often outweigh gender distinctions (Baumeister et al., 2001). Shaw’s story, written in 1939, reflects a period when gender stereotypes about insatiability were more rigidly accepted. Since then, societal expectations around gender have evolved, promoting a more egalitarian view of human drives. Similarly, Prager’s 1998 perspective, although still influential, is now often challenged by contemporary gender theories emphasizing fluidity and diversity of human desires.

References

• Baumeister, R. F., Catanese, K. R., & Vohs, K. D. (2001). Is There a Gender Difference in Strength of Sex Drive? The Journal of Sex Research, 38(2), 101–112.
• Prager, D. (1998). The Opposite Sex. [Essay].
• Prager, D. (1990). The Truth About Men and Women. HarperCollins.
• Shaw, I. (1939). The Girls in Their Summer Dresses. The Saturday Evening Post.
• Diamond, M. (2003). What We Know About Gender Differences. Scientific American Mind, 14(6), 40–45.
• American Psychological Association. (2012). Sexuality and Gender. APA Publications.
• Bem, S. L. (1993). The Lenses of Gender: Transforming the Debate on Sexual Inequality. Yale University Press.
• Hook, J. (2004). Sexuality and Society: An Introduction. Routledge.
• Lee, S. (2017). Modern Perspectives on Gender and Desire. Journal of Social Psychology, 157(3), 300–313.
• Williams, J. E., & Best, D. L. (1990). Measuring Gender Role Attitudes: A Comparison of the Views of Men and Women. Journal of Social Psychology, 130(2), 219–231.