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Controlled by Men


Clive seems to struggle to maintain the world he wants to see, a part of this is having a faithful wife. In this male dominated society it is said to be okay that Clive is allowed to have an affair but if a wife is unfaithful he would "shoot you and every British man and woman would applaud me". [paraphrased]. Clive defines sexuality and sexual standards in the way that best serves his own sexual desires, everything else is deviant. .
             These restrictions are also present in "The Crying Game". Even though homosexuality is more accepted in this society it still isn't considered the norm. Fergus begins to fall in love with Dil but is perplexed when she disrobes her manhood. When her true sex is exposed he feels sick with disgust. He feels his sexual identity is at risk by having feelings for Dil who is really a male and he continuously repeats that she " should have stayed a girl", or " Kind of liked you as a girl". Fergus wants Dil to be someone and something she's not. Dil replies "I can't help what I am". .
             Not only does Fergus make Dil feel inadequate toward the end he wants her to dress and act like a man. Even though he does this initially to protect her we, the audience, get the feeling he wants Dil to look like Jody. He dresses her in his cricket uniform along with an army crew cut. Fergus maybe comes to realise he is a homosexual and once again transforms Dil into his ideal image. .
             Dil and Betty both are disadvantaged by the helplessness they have developed as a sign of femininity. Dil does not want to be alone and therefore allows herself to be controlled by stronger men. The abusive and obsessive Dave is the early instance but Fergus also fits into the controlling male status. Dil comes to realise her fault and says, "see, I fix on anyone that's nice to me. Just the littlest bit nice and I"m yours". Betty's feelings of inadequacy and fear of being alone are evident throughout the entire first act and initially the second.


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