MASCULINITY By Brian Zucker and James Gladstone

MASCULINITY What constitutes masculinity? What should be the role of a male and female? How has World War I radically altered what it means to be masculine?

JAKE Does his inability to have a sexual relationship make him less masculine? Is masculinity a state of mind or a way of being? ‘“Couldn’t we live together, Brett? Couldn’t we just live together? ‘“I don’t think so. I’d just tromper [cheat on] you with everybody. You couldn’t stand it.”’ (p.62) “I was thinking about Brett and my mind stopped jumping around and started to go in sort of smooth waves. Then all of a sudden I started to cry.” (p.39)

ROBERT How has Robert been un-masculinized? What does the men’s ridiculing and antagonizing of Robert reveal about themselves? ‘“Well, let him not get superior and Jewish.”’ (p.102) “[Robert Cohn] was nervous, and I did not try to help him any…I said that I would go with him, just to devil him…I was enjoying Cohn’s nervousness. I hoped that Brett would be on the train” (p.103)

BRETT Brett is stronger than most of the men which is emphasized by her male qualities and masculine name. How is Brett’s behavior different from traditional female ones? “On the table was an empty glass [Brett’s] and a glass half-full of brandy and soda [Jake’s].” (p.42)

ROMERO Romero’s pure and unwavering moves to misdirect the bull depict his masculine nature in the face of danger. What makes Romero different from the other men in the novel? “Romero never made any contortions, always it was straight and pure and natural in line.” (pg. 171) “Romero’s bull fighting gave real emotion, because he kept the absolute purity of line in his movements and always quietly and calmly let the horns pass him close each time.” (pg. 171)

CONCLUSION The roles of most men and women have essentially been reversed. Because of the total war effort, women had access to new jobs and therefore gained new confidence and independence that carried on to the post-war era. Men have become insecure and weak. They can no longer exert manliness in the same way as before the war.