Theodore Adams is a man whose worldview is deeply entrenched in traditional, patriarchal values. As the owner of a local supermarket, Theodore sees himself as the unquestioned head of the household, the provider, and protector, and he believes it is his duty to maintain control over both his family and business. His pride lies in his ability to keep things running smoothly, believing that his hard work and sacrifice should be enough to earn respect and submission from those around him—especially his wife.
In his mind, the family unit operates best when roles are clearly defined: his wife, Lauren, is the nurturing mother and homemaker, while he is the strong, dependable father figure who makes the final decisions. He may outwardly express admiration for her academic accomplishments, but deep down, he sees her professional career as secondary to her duties at home. He tolerates her intellect, but only as long as it doesn’t interfere with his view of how the family should be run.
Theodore believes that his role as a provider grants him authority over every aspect of the household, including the decisions about their children’s futures. He has a deep-seated belief that men are naturally the decision-makers, while women should support and nurture. When their son showed no interest in working at the supermarket, Theodore was disappointed, but it was Lauren’s decision to cover for their daughter that particularly riled him. In his mind, that’s not the woman’s role.
He may not be overtly cruel or abusive, but his chauvinistic tendencies manifest in subtler ways: the dismissive tone he takes when Lauren suggests something that challenges his authority, the way he issues commands rather than requests, and the sense of entitlement he has to his wife’s time and energy. Even when Lauren makes sacrifices to support the family, like stepping in at the supermarket, Theodore often displays a sense of ownership over her choices, as though she is merely fulfilling her wifely duties. He believes that her career is a privilege, but ultimately, it’s her role as a wife and mother that should come first.
Over time, as Lauren’s success in her professional life grows, Theodore’s resentment starts to build. He feels threatened by her independence and the power that comes with her intelligence. He cannot fully understand why she doesn’t want to adhere to the traditional gender roles he believes in, and he struggles with the fact that she has more freedom than he would like her to have. His need for control and dominance extends into their marriage, where small slights, like her refusal to drop everything for his needs, feel like personal affronts to his masculinity.
Despite his views, Theodore would likely argue that he is simply acting in the best interests of his family. He sees himself as the protector, and his chauvinistic behavior is, to him, a sign of his commitment to maintaining stability and order. However, his deeply ingrained beliefs create an environment where Lauren’s contributions, both professionally and personally, are undervalued and underappreciated.
In Theodore’s world, respect and admiration are earned through sacrifice and compliance, and he often views Lauren’s resistance to this framework as a challenge to his authority. Though his intentions are not inherently malicious, his behavior creates an atmosphere of tension and frustration for Lauren, who feels increasingly disempowered, even as her professional career thrives.