Traditionally, specific qualities, characteristics and roles have been socially and culturally assigned to males and females on the basis of gender. In traditional patriarchal societies, females have been assigned domestic and demurred roles, dependent from their male counterparts to succeed in life, where as males are generally expected to be physically strong, brave and unemotional. The short story The Altar of the Family by Michael Wilding features a young boy, David, who initially challenges traditional gender stereotypes but is brutalized by his insensitive father who's obsession in preserving 'Family Honour' is taken too far. Mr Murray treats his sons feminine behaviour as unacceptable and crudely insults him with harsh remarks such as "poofter" and "moping..poet." Because society rejects those who step outside their allocated roles, femininity is sacrificed to maintain family honour but in doing so, a facet of David is also drained and he is left "empty".
             Mrs Murray's character reinforces traditional gender stereotypes of a prim, proper lady and child nurturer who is demurred and suppressed by her sexuality. She has a traditional patriarchal relationship with her husband and in doing so is marginalized, silenced and "demurred" of expressing her true feelings on a subject. However, Mr Murray fails to take control over the way his wife raises the children, again to stay in the realm of masculinity. Mrs Murray can also be portrayed as having narrow-minded class prejudices and over-restrictive when she "would not let [David] play with the local children." By this constraint, David is banned from experiencing life and Mrs Murray is impeached for David's femininity.
             Mr Murray is fore grounded and portrayed as a crude, intimidating, heartless father that reinforces traditional male stereotypes. Mr Murray is insensitive and brutal towards his son David, beca...