Masculinity and the Paradox of Violence in American Fiction, 1950-75

by McKinley, Maggie

• ISBN13: 9781501326479
• ISBN10: 1501326473
• Edition: Revised
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2016-10-20
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic

Summary

Masculinity and the Paradox of Violence in American Fiction, 1950-75 explores the intersections of violence, masculinity, and racial and ethnic tension in America as it is depicted in the fiction of Ralph Ellison, Richard Wright, Norman Mailer, Saul Bellow, James Baldwin, and Philip Roth.

Maggie McKinley reconsiders the longstanding association between masculinity and violence, locating a problematic paradox within works by these writers: as each author figures violence as central to the establishment of a liberated masculine identity, the use of this violence often reaffirms many constricting and emasculating cultural myths and power structures that the authors and their protagonists are seeking to overturn.

Author Biography

Maggie McKinley is Assistant Professor of English at Harper College, USA, where she teaches courses in American Literature.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION

I. Multiple Masculinities and the Momentum of Violence in Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man
II. Existentialism, Violence, and Racial Identity: The Shape of Masculinity in Richard Wright's The Outsider and The Long Dream
III. Violent Liberation and Racialized Masculinities: Norman Mailer's “The White Negro” and An American Dream
IV. From Herzog to Sammler: Saul Bellow's Meditations on Masculinity, Modernity, and Violence
V. Desire, Violence, and Masculine Anxiety in Baldwin's Giovanni's Room and Another Country
VI. “A grueling and gratifying ethical life”: Manhood, Morality, and Violence in Philip Roth's Portnoy's Complaint and My Life as a Man

CONCLUSION

BIBLIOGRAPHY

NOTES