Women as objects in A Woman on a Roof Doris Lessing's "A Woman on a Roof" allows us to understand how certain men perceive women: as simple objects to display and possess. . Lessing shows how each of the male characters reacts and copes with the rejection of a woman sunbathing on a nearby roof. We discover how three men's sexual preoccupation keeps them unaware of the undesirability of their advances and the possible consequences of their action. The three men share the desire to attract the attention of this woman. Working on the roof of a building under the scorching sun, these men seek distraction from the incessant heat. They whistle, shout, and wave at a nearly naked woman on a nearby rooftop, but the woman pays no attention. Their isolation on the roof and the woman's relentless outrage fuel the men's descent into a world of lewd behavior, creating an atmosphere of harassment and rejection. They are “taunted” by this woman’s indifference towards them. The three men have distinctly different attitudes towards the situation they have created. Everyone has experienced rejection from women. In fact, everyone displays a level of harshness that influences their attitude. They each react differently to the woman's indifference and each takes their efforts to different levels. Tom, the youngest, represents a primary level, a man spared from rejection. Stanley, the instigator, visibly secondary to Tom, shows a man slightly affected by rejection. Stanley hates rejection blows to his manhood. Harry, for his part, represents a final level where he considers the woman's presence as insignificant. He has been married for a long time and may have suffered many indignities when it comes to women's scowls....... middle of paper...... displayed "lessons learned" in their attitudes . They knew when to stop. Tom pushed his unbridled actions to the limit because he didn't know any better. The men return to work the next day with a new distraction on their minds. The weather has suddenly changed and no longer attracts sunbathers. Without the presence of the woman on the roof, no sexual thoughts preoccupy them. For Tom and Stanley, the consequences of their actions are forgotten and evident only in their new levels of understanding. Works Cited Allen, Orphia J., Short Story Criticism. Vol 16. Ed. Thomas Vottler. Detroit, MI: Gale Research, Co., 1990. Atack, Margaret., Critique of the Short Story. Vol 6. Ed. Thomas Vottler. Detroit, MI: Gale Research, Co., 1990. Leasing, Doris. “A woman on a roof.” Harper's anthology fiction. Ed. Sylvain Barnett. New York: HarperCollins, 1981.