Our Contrived Definition of Masculine

            What makes a man manly?  Is there a factual answer, or is it a vague, subjective answer that has been slowly concocted over hundreds of generations?  Well, we know for a fact that science is largely excluded from the measure of masculinity.  The separation between males and females is predominantly the presence of testosterone and estrogen respectively; therefore, a homosexual male being viewed as ‘not masculine’ refutes a scientific answer to this question.  It forces us to see masculinity as a concept derived from modern day societal opinion. 

            Many people would see masculinity defined by several different ideas.  This is where we see manliness not only described by one masculinity, but numerous different masculinities.  These masculinities include the archetypal hunter/protector image, the athletic image, the ‘bad boy’ image, and even the powerful executive/CEO image.  Popular culture suggests that what makes a man masculine is defined by many different characteristics.  And, these suggestions are made apparent through a variety of different sources including magazines, advertisements, the film industry and even athletics.  Ford truck commercials are a perfect example of how advertisements depict what masculinity is and how it can be achieved.  Ford’s slogan is, “Built Ford Tough,” and their advertisements typically involve a big macho Ford F-350 pulling a plane effortlessly, crushing concrete, or contributing to some other ‘powerful’ action.  Essentially, they are advertising that you can achieve ultimate masculinity by simply buying their trucks.  But does anyone ask why pushing around big chunks of rock is perceived as masculine?  No, we simply accept the idea that society presents us with.  Not many people would say Ford F-350 is anything less than extremely masculine.  Or, we can look at the typical example of the ‘ripped’ athlete in magazines or on TV, with muscles so big he can hardly move.  Ever since ancient times culture has taught us to perceive this image as the ultimate form of masculinity.  Here’s a question: which would be considered more masculine, a 6’4’’, 230lb muscle-bound beast, or a scrawnier man who is twice as strong?  Odds are most people would immediately view the bigger man to be more masculine, even though he may not be as powerful.  Popular culture has taught us to view masculinity in a very vain, shallow way.  While everyone’s definition of masculinity may not be exactly the same, it is usually derived from some superficial, exterior qualities of man.

            In George Orwell’s 1984, it is interesting to see how he portrays men versus women.  Throughout the novel he seems to play on the typical stereotype of the ‘weak’ woman and the ‘powerful’ man.  When we first meet Julia, who we do not learn the name of for a significant amount of time, she is on the ground, requiring the help of a man (in this case Winston) to get back up.  Seemingly a small, sly jab at women’s dependence on men.  It is also interesting to note how all characters who possess power in Oceania are male.  In fact almost every single character is male including Big Brother, O’Brien, Mr. Charrington, Emmanuel Goldstein, Parsons, Syme, and Winston.  I doubt that Orwell did that unintentionally.  He seems to show masculinity through the possession of power and the dependence of women on males.  Simply the fact that Julia goes so long being unidentified displays the level of importance Orwell places on her as a woman.  She possesses no power; therefore, she has no importance.  Also, the differences between Julia and Winston display Orwell’s view of Winston’s masculinity as superior.  Julia is content just gratifying her sexual desires and living in the moment, while Winston is more concerned with the larger societal picture.  The characteristics of the female versus male characters in 1984 really emphasize Orwell’s designation of power as a large factor of masculinity, which is a widely accepted idea within our culture as well.