In both McTeague and Herland, the idea of opposite sex relationships is a prominent theme. In McTeague, the relationship begins fine, but as the story continues, the two in the relationship begin to go crazy while their relationship falls apart. As the relationship dwindles, there is violence, abuse, and greed begin to play in. McTeague begins to want Trina's money while Trina wants it kept away and hidden. Because of this, McTeague starts a drinking habit and when he gets home, he beats his wife. An excuse used to back up this plan by McTeague is that she's his and, since he's the man, she needs to treat him kindly. Here, there is a dominance and superiority based on gender.
In Herland, Terry expresses this idea of superiority in the male gender, especially in a relationship. When the three men first arrive, Terry expresses how he couldn't wait to be with women. However, after a while, he realizes that he hates his imprisonment and inferiority with the women. He constantly complains about it that it drives him slightly crazy. When the three females begin to court the men, he tries to overpower Alima, his partner. They get in arguments, and after their marriage, he attempts to rape Alima. This violence led to the women kicking Terry out of Herland. He was content on leaving and being the "man" of a relationship again, showing his idea that the male gender is superior.
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