The Embodiment of Masculinity in Jack London’sThe Sea-Wolf

Abstract

Masculinity refers to maleness. This is a common term used to describe the maleness with respect to external and internal strength, courage, and knowledge of male people oranimal. This thesis explores the masculinity found in the novel, that is, the ‘Hegemonic Masculinity’. The study collects the various feminist gender theories, and makes a comparative study on it. It pays attention to the concept of different gender theories, and brings them under criticism. On the one hand, it briefly defines Bob Connell’s idea of hegemonic masculinity, which incorporates structure and agency as such; on the other hand, it points out the narrow definitions of various gender theories in comparison to Connell’s masculinity. The thesis applies Connell’s masculinity in the novelThe Sea-Wolf. Although the characters arelabelledthrough different names, it applies the hegemonic masculinity behind them, and claims their achievement of identity because of this. Thus, this study incorporates the major characters of the novel under hegemonic masculinity, and highlights their strength with social norms and values.