Men and Masculinity. The Presentation of Men and Male Relationships in Three Contemporary British Novels

Table of Contents

I Introduction

II Theoretical Approaches to Masculinity

II.1 Constructing Gender - Constructing Masculinity

II.2 Connell's Concept of Masculinities: Hegemony, Subordination, Complicity and Marginalisation

II.2.1 Hegemony

II.2.2 Oppression and Subordination

II.2.3 Complicity

II.2.4 Marginalisation

II.3 Psychoanalytic Perspective

II.4 A Role Perspective on Men

II.5 A Social Relations Perspective on Men

II.6 Cultural Ideals of Masculinity

III The Novels

III.1 Alan HOLLINGHURST - The Swimming-Pool Library

III.1.1 Main Homosexual Characters and Their Presentation

III.1.2 Minor Homosexual Characters and Their Presentation

III.1.3 All-Male Environments

III.1.4 Presentation of Heterosexual Male Society

III.1.5 The Portrayal of Racial Minorities

III.1.6 Masculinity and Femininity

III.1.7 Summary

III.2 Nick HORNBY - High Fidelity

III.2.1 Rob Fleming

III.2.2 Heterosexual Desire

III.2.3 Blasts From the Past - Masculine Journey Back in Time

III.2.4 Male Relationships

III.2.5 Summary

III.3 Irvine WELSH - Trainspotting

III.3.1 Working Class in Trainspotting

III.3.2 Male Protagonists

III.3.3 Male Relationships

III.3.4 Changed Masculinity - Drugs and Their Effects

III.3.5 WELSH and the Feminine Role

III.3.6 Youth Culture and Masculinity

III.3.7 The Older Generation

III.3.8 Scottishness

III.3.9 Masculinity and Language

III.3.10 Summary

IV Construction of Stereotypes by the Authors Looking at Their Own Background/Sexuality

V Conclusion

Objectives and Research Focus

This thesis investigates the representation of men and various forms of masculinity in contemporary British fiction, specifically examining Alan Hollinghurst's The Swimming-Pool Library, Nick Hornby's High Fidelity, and Irvine Welsh's Trainspotting, to understand how these authors construct male identities in relation to the prevailing gender order.

• Analysis of masculinity as a socially constructed and negotiated practice.
• Application of Robert Connell's theory of gender power structures to fictional characters.
• Examination of the interplay between class, sexual orientation, and social marginalization.
• Investigation into how the authors' own backgrounds and sexualities influence their portrayal of male stereotypes.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

I Introduction: This chapter contextualizes the 1990s focus on masculinity and outlines the research objective to analyze male representations in the chosen novels.

II Theoretical Approaches to Masculinity: Provides the analytical framework, primarily utilizing Connell's gender power models, psychoanalytic, and sociological perspectives.

III The Novels: The core analytical section where the theoretical framework is applied to dissect the specific male representations in Hollinghurst, Hornby, and Welsh.

IV Construction of Stereotypes by the Authors Looking at Their Own Background/Sexuality: Examines how the personal backgrounds of the authors shape their fictional construction of male identity.

V Conclusion: Synthesizes the findings, confirming that while portrayals vary, all protagonists exist in a state of marginalization relative to hegemonic masculinity.

Keywords

Masculinity, Gender Order, Connell, Homosexuality, Heterosexuality, Working-class, Identity, Loitering, Patriarchy, Stereotypes, Social Construction, Power Structures, British Literature, 1990s, Subculture

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary focus of this work?

The research examines the depiction of men and male relationships in three contemporary British novels, analyzing how different forms of masculinity are constructed in relation to social power structures.

Which theoretical approach is used to analyze masculinity?

The work primarily relies on the sociological framework provided by Robert Connell, focusing on concepts such as hegemony, subordination, complicity, and marginalization.

Who are the authors analyzed in this thesis?

The study analyzes Alan Hollinghurst's The Swimming-Pool Library, Nick Hornby's High Fidelity, and Irvine Welsh's Trainspotting.

What is the role of sexuality in these representations?

Sexuality is identified as a central defining component of masculinity for the characters, functioning either as a source of power, a site of struggle, or a means of expressing rebellion against social norms.

What defines the social status of the protagonists?

The protagonists are generally characterized by their status as loiterers—figures who exist on the margins of professional, success-oriented society and who frequently reject traditional patriarchal responsibilities.

How does social class influence the masculine identity of the characters?

Class plays a significant role in determining the characters' power. Characters from working-class backgrounds often define their masculinity through embodied activities like fighting, drinking, and sports, while the aristocratic characters navigate different, yet equally marginalized, social positions.

How does the author characterize Mark Renton's rejection of society?

Mark Renton is viewed as an anti-hero who rejects the consumerist and success-oriented life paths offered by Thatcherite Britain, choosing instead a life of independence and rebellion, even at the cost of his own marginalization.

Why are women largely absent or negatively portrayed in these works?

The analysis notes that in the chosen novels, women are often excluded because the authors center their focus on homosocial and male-bonding environments, where female influence is either seen as secondary or as a threat to the male self-definition.