Friday, March 30, 2007

Male Sexuality and Patriarchy in "The Deal"

Upon choosing a topic for this blog, I could not help but realize how much one of my favorite shows could be used to analyze various aspects of popular culture. In the nine seasons of "Seinfeld", one can find at least one aspect of gender, sex, religion, or race in almost each episode. During the years that it aired, "Seinfeld" was able to use humor to approach subjects of popular culture that other shows could not. Therefore, "Seinfeld" helped shape popular culture in the late 90's, and I wanted to analyze some of the influences it was able to make.

One particular episode in which I found an interesting topic to analyze in relation to gender is the last episode of the second season entitled “The Deal.” My feeling towards this episode and its relation to hegemony is very similar to the overall claim made in one of the readings from class, “The Myth of the Sexual Athlete.” Although in this particular reading Sabo is writing predominantly about athletes and the locker room, when watching “The Deal” I found it very easy to think of Jerry, George, and Kramer’s interactions as a microcosm of the locker room sex talk and how this ultimately influences Jerry and Elaine’s relationship.

Early in the episode after Jerry and Elaine have worked out a deal in which they can have sex together on a regular bases without committing to a relationship with each other, Jerry and George meet at the coffee shop for lunch. In this scene Jerry blurts out that he had sex with Elaine the night before, and George begs for details. I could not help relating this conversation to “…the late Sunday morning breakfasts in the dorm. We jocks would usually all sit at one table listening to one braggart or another describe his sexual exploits of the night before” (Sabo). Jerry proceeds to give George details of his sexual relations with Elaine, and it is very obvious that this gives Jerry an overwhelming feeling of pride. It is also evident that George is impressed by Jerry’s “accomplishments.” Jerry and George are acting as if they are teenagers in the high school locker room talking about their sexual relationships with girls and using these experiences as a way of judging and respecting one another.

As the episode proceeds, the twist arrives when it becomes evident that Elaine wants not only to have sex with Jerry, but to have a relationship as well. This is when Jerry begins to juggle the idea of committing to Elaine with the possibility of being able to remain friends and still have sex. Jerry is “torn between yearning for excitement and longing for love and intimacy” (Sabo). As the episode comes to an end, Jerry eventually chooses to break things off completely with Elaine. This serves as a perfect example of “the expectation that we [men] are supposed to act as though we want to be alone, like the cowboy who always rides off into the sunset alone” (Sabo). Jerry ultimately chooses to be completely alone, rather than be in a committed relationship. Taken as a whole, this particular episode of “Seinfeld” does nothing but reinforce the sexual values based on patriarchy that many men become exposed to at a very young age.


Sabo, Don. "The Myth of the Sexual Athlete." Sex, Violence, & Power in Sports: Rethinking Masculinity. The Crossing Press, 1994.

22 comments:

Unknown said...

It seems to me that you've chosen a great episode to analyze norms about masculinity and sexuality. The use of the Sabo piece works quite well, as though the episode is a "textbook" depiction of his writing. Although the episode depicts the obvious norms (as you've shown by relating them to Sabo's points), do you think that the show itself is reinforcing these hegemonic norms or challenging them.
It's interesting to me that you discuss the humor used to portray the "hot button" topics mentioned earlier in the post. Does the humor aid in the blatant depiction of norms associated with such topics and categories and does this depiction automatically reinforce patriarchal hegemony. Based on your work here, I would think that the humor provides the stage to air these topics on prime-time tv in the way that Seinfeld was able to do meant that the messages were literally hegemonic, but that the presentation was aimed at undermining the power of the hegemonic (making them potentially counter hegemonic messages).

Anonymous said...

Who knows where to download XRumer 5.0 Palladium?
Help, please. All recommend this program to effectively advertise on the Internet, this is the best program!

Anonymous said...

I wish not acquiesce in on it. I think polite post. Expressly the title attracted me to be familiar with the sound story.

Anonymous said...

Genial post and this fill someone in on helped me alot in my college assignement. Gratefulness you as your information.

Anonymous said...

Easily I to but I contemplate the brief should secure more info then it has.

Anonymous said...

[B]NZBsRus.com[/B]
Skip Slow Downloads Using NZB Downloads You Can Hastily Search High Quality Movies, Console Games, Music, Applications & Download Them @ Alarming Rates

[URL=http://www.nzbsrus.com][B]Newsgroup Search[/B][/URL]

Anonymous said...

iwant u select dating [url=http://loveepicentre.com/]person couples dating finding fun[/url] singles http://loveepicentre.com/ catholic dating service

Anonymous said...

Induce the animal with two backs casinos? headway onto and beyond this immature [url=http://www.realcazinoz.com]casino[/url] advisor and wing it detract online casino games like slots, blackjack, roulette, baccarat and more at www.realcazinoz.com .
you can also pronounce from a invest settled our modish [url=http://freecasinogames2010.webs.com]casino[/url] barter something at http://freecasinogames2010.webs.com and devastate reliable folding arctic tiring cash !
another voguish [url=http://www.ttittancasino.com]casino spiele[/url] within an eyelash of is www.ttittancasino.com , in lieu of of german gamblers, hang in there down on during unrestrained online casino bonus.

Anonymous said...

http://www.orbg.net/cgi-bin/apbdp_105sjs/apeboard_plus.cgi?command=read_message&msgnum=60 http://www.deviantdefiancy.com/ddbb/viewtopic.php?f=107&t=50135 http://www.codeconsultinginc.com/CCI/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=375266 http://www.todobau.com/foro2/viewtopic.php?p=278876&sid=c69b7949b14d67d392d1566612479d5c#278876
http://www.staffie-world.com/forum/index.php?topic=5278.new#new http://hoaphuongdo.vn/forum/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=3259 http://dolaria.plebian.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=311 http://www.cosmeocommunity.com/forum/index.php?topic=160098.new#new
http://havocguild.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=159989#159989 http://yunpha.rdap.jp/cgi-bin/jtunion-bbs.cgi/apeboard_plus.cgi?command=read_message&msgnum=173 http://icccr2012.org.uk/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=24465

Anonymous said...

free european travel http://wikitravel.in/motel/luxury-motel-accommodation-blenheim personalizable travel journal notebook
[url=http://wikitravel.in/cruise/cruise-to-antartica]msn travel[/url] td visa travel rewards centre [url=http://wikitravel.in/car-rental/car-rental-jakarta]car rental jakarta[/url]
skb travel gun case http://wikitravel.in/map/mayberry-map
[url=http://wikitravel.in/airline/airline-usa]travel insurance london drugs[/url] travel tp india [url=http://wikitravel.in/travel/inchon-airport-travel-to-seoul]inchon airport travel to seoul[/url]
nevada travel packages http://wikitravel.in/cruise/cruise-vacation boston massachussetts travel guide [url=http://wikitravel.in/airlines/emirates-airlines-islamabad-timetables]emirates airlines islamabad timetables[/url]

Anonymous said...

mike feeley designer http://topcitystyle.com/?action=products&product_id=1992 stylist fashion price [url=http://topcitystyle.com/on-sale-page21.html]laurence drozd binghamton[/url] kidsshoes
http://topcitystyle.com/roberto-cavalli-page12.html victorian age fashion [url=http://topcitystyle.com/xl-hoodies-size6.html]shoes shop[/url]

Anonymous said...

shoes history http://topcitystyle.com/xl-t-shirts-for-men-size6.html web designer job qaulifications [url=http://topcitystyle.com/grey-black-men-color61.html]asatru clothes[/url] dog fashion show
http://topcitystyle.com/stay-free-xdye-on-sale-brand93.html kids shoes with wheels [url=http://topcitystyle.com/?action=products&product_id=2535]australia fashions[/url]

Anonymous said...

boots to go over shoes http://topcitystyle.com/ecru-casual-tops-color84.html love my shoes [url=http://topcitystyle.com/purple-yellow-women-s-tops-color199.html]indoor play equipment designers uk[/url] womens fitness shoes
http://topcitystyle.com/black-white-dress-shirts-color23.html capezio jazz shoes [url=http://topcitystyle.com/women-apos-s-t-shirts-new-category62.html]designer dog clothes[/url]

Anonymous said...

hawkeshead clothes http://topcitystyle.com/grey-black-color61.html adidas hemp shoes [url=http://topcitystyle.com/score-trendy-jacket-windbreaker-item895.html]new balance kid shoes[/url] graphic designer job opportunities
http://topcitystyle.com/napapijri-tops-shirts-with-colar-brand62.html healies shoes [url=http://topcitystyle.com/cream-navy-blue-color162.html]anne klein cologne[/url]

Anonymous said...

stacey keibler sexy http://planetofporn.in/adult-xxx/adult-dirty-sites
[url=http://planetofporn.in/teen-ass/fuck-his-ass-up]free older ladies porn pictures[/url] free adult amateur cams [url=http://planetofporn.in/adult-stories/south-brunswick-adult-education]south brunswick adult education[/url]
montreal adult sex http://planetofporn.in/bdsm/bdsm-forums
[url=http://planetofporn.in/fetish/free-diaper-fetish-movies]lesbian doggy style double dildo fucking[/url] free amateur home interracial clips [url=http://planetofporn.in/adult-movie/adult-storyline-films]adult storyline films[/url]
lubricant milspec five metal corrosivity http://planetofporn.in/adult-video/adult-live-cams
[url=http://planetofporn.in/blowjob]lingerie porn previews[/url] outdoor amateur porn mpeg [url=http://planetofporn.in/adult-story/adult-haunted-houses-in-omaha-ne]adult haunted houses in omaha ne[/url]
adult online role playing game mmorpg only sex http://planetofporn.in/free-amateur/amateur-spy-voyeur-vid
[url=http://planetofporn.in/bdsm/outdoor-femdom-bdsm-free-clips]amateur latina[/url] seamed stockings on sexy legs [url=http://planetofporn.in/free-adult/adult-real-spanking]adult real spanking[/url]

Anonymous said...

storm hawks porn http://xwe.in/bondage/bondage-hq
[url=http://xwe.in/orgasm/celine-orgasm-video]download hentai yuri video[/url] surgery for anal fissure [url=http://xwe.in/condom/studded-condoms-videos]studded condoms videos[/url]
free big tits cock fuckin anal cum chots http://xwe.in/blow/video-on-how-to-give-a-blow-job
[url=http://xwe.in/nylon/nylon-mature-tgp]adult backdoor fisting[/url] highschool anal [url=http://xwe.in/shemale/shemale-fantasy-art]shemale fantasy art[/url]
florida adult chat http://xwe.in/erotic-gay/rape-porn-erotic
[url=http://xwe.in/blow/video-on-how-to-give-a-blow-job]amateur free site woman[/url] nude sexy aldies [url=http://xwe.in/erotic-video/erotic-vibrator-story]erotic vibrator story[/url]
owen j roberts adult education classes http://xwe.in/orgasm/orgasm-electrical-stimulation-men
[url=http://xwe.in/orgy/hot-swinger-sex-orgy-pictures]watch funny animation adult cartoons[/url] how to sex virgin [url=http://xwe.in/teen-ass/bad-ass-poems]bad ass poems[/url]

Anonymous said...

cialis use [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/anti-diabetici.htm]anti diabetici[/url] danville regional medical center va http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/huesos-sanos.htm
non prescription drugs definition [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/dysfonction-erectile.htm]dysfonction erectile[/url] laser to stop smoking mokena illinois [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/levlen.htm ]cute muscle boys [/url] william wilberforce health
what is considered too high for blood platelets 400 or 450 [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/casodex.htm]casodex[/url] peeling skin on penis with pictures http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/ayurslim.htm
palliative medicine 1996 [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/catalogue/e.htm]No prescription online pharmacy[/url] elvis uncircumsized penis [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/minocin.htm ]heart disease study [/url] discont pet medicine

Anonymous said...

cheap insurance michigan travel http://xwl.in/tour/momentum-sports-tour travel geography quiz
[url=http://xwl.in/disneyland/disneyland-in-hong-kong-facts]travel shadowbox[/url] home based booking agent for travel agency [url=http://xwl.in/vacation-packages/us-beach-vacation-packages]us beach vacation packages[/url]
travel art tray http://xwl.in/cruise/tom-cruise-face-hair
[url=http://xwl.in/cruise/which-waters-are-best-to-cruise-on]travel promotion search engine[/url] discount travel to europe [url=http://xwl.in/motel/flamingo-motel-panama-city-beach]flamingo motel panama city beach[/url]
china travel service australia http://xwl.in/airport/susann-ray-l-a-international-airport sarasota florida travel agencys [url=http://xwl.in/car-rental/edwards-california-car-rental]edwards california car rental[/url]

Anonymous said...

casinos blackjack games http://wqm.in/slots_hokkywood-slots-at-bangor horse racing betting
[url=http://wqm.in/baccarat_play-game-baccarat-rules]casino baccarat strategy bonus[/url] capital spread betting [url=http://wqm.in/jackpot_jumbo-jackpot-station-casinos-lv-nv]jumbo jackpot station casinos lv nv[/url]
free printable blank baby shower bingo card http://wqm.in/jackpot_online-jackpot
[url=http://wqm.in/gambling-online_roulette-gambling-bonuses]midday maryland lottery[/url] bingo sheet [url=http://wqm.in/online-casinos_gray-water-use-in-casinos-water-features-htm]gray water use in casinos water features htm[/url]
reeces gambling store http://wqm.in/betting_betting-line-phillies-rockies harrahas casinos [url=http://wqm.in/jackpot_jackpot-apparatus]jackpot apparatus[/url]

Anonymous said...

windows blackjack activesync driver with vista http://lwv.in/gambling-online/rehab-centers-for-gambling fun house bingo
[url=http://lwv.in/jokers/evil-jesters-and-jokers]palm springs casinos[/url] oasis and casino [url=http://lwv.in/slot/slot-car-track-layouts]slot car track layouts[/url]
uk sport betting http://lwv.in/slots
[url=http://lwv.in/betting]casino shopping[/url] jackpot factory casino [url=http://lwv.in/poker-online/best-poker-hands-ace]best poker hands ace[/url]
gambling ages http://lwv.in/blackjack/las-vegas-blackjack-pictures island view casino in gulfport mississippi [url=http://lwv.in/lottery/wisconsin-state-lottery]wisconsin state lottery[/url]

Anonymous said...

movie runaway jury [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_cured_duck/]cured duck[/url] movie trailer cfc http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_hackers/ fetish porn movie
ultraviolet movie links [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_eulogy/]eulogy[/url] a secret hand shake movie http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_they_live/ movie jacket
teen porn movie [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_breaking_all_the_rules/]breaking all the rules[/url] script for somersault the movie
stickit movie [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_little_buddha/]little buddha[/url] analysis of the movie the mission http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_ghoulies_iii_ghoulies_go_to_college/ pokemon movie download
major tom adam sandler movie [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_el_muerto/]el muerto[/url] free hindi movie download http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_infestation_70/ high school musical movie

Anonymous said...

top [url=http://www.c-online-casino.co.uk/]uk casino[/url] check the latest [url=http://www.realcazinoz.com/]casino bonus[/url] autonomous no deposit hand-out at the best [url=http://www.baywatchcasino.com/]no lay down bonus
[/url].

Some clips from "The Outing"