The term paper analyses how the play “Dying City” by Christopher Shinn takes up the picture of stoic, cliché masculinity, and shows how some characteristic features can easily convert into toxic masculinity.
Masculinity is often a term not easy to define. In recent times, the popular opinion has tended to consider masculinity to be more sensitive and emphatic – a man shows strength if he allows himself to be weak. This progressive view is fundamentally different to the John-Wayne-like picture – strength, heroism and fighting spirit – which defined the life of so many men, especially some decades ago and even in the present day.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Main part: Argument and Evidence
- Famous male writers as role models in "Dying City"
- Deceptive war ideals and reality
- Conclusion and Outlook
Objectives and Key Themes
This term paper analyzes how the play "Dying City" by Christopher Shinn examines the concept of masculinity and explores how it can manifest as toxic masculinity. The paper focuses on Craig Conners, a main protagonist, and analyzes how his behavior reflects the clichés associated with masculinity, particularly his reliance on strength, determination, and egocentrism.
- The influence of famous male writers on Craig Conners' perception of masculinity.
- The contrast between idealized heroic masculinity and the brutal realities of war.
- The portrayal of toxic masculinity in Craig's relationship with his wife, Kelly.
- The impact of Craig's war experiences on his mental state and potential suicide.
- The role of war as a catalyst for questioning traditional notions of masculinity.
Chapter Summaries
The introduction sets the context by discussing the evolving definitions of masculinity and introduces Craig Conners as a character who embodies a traditional, stoic, and potentially toxic form of masculinity. The paper focuses on Craig's fascination with famous male writers, specifically Ernest Hemingway, and explores how his behavior mirrors Hemingway's perceived "hypermasculinized violence" and machismo. The chapter highlights Craig's patronizing attitude towards women and his tendency to use violence, both physical and emotional, in his relationship with his wife, Kelly.
The main part of the paper further examines the theme of toxic masculinity through Craig's experience in the Iraq War. It explores the contrast between the heroic ideal of masculinity and the brutal realities of war, highlighting how Craig's initial enthusiasm for war clashes with the harsh realities of violence and death. This section analyzes Craig's struggles to reconcile his idealized vision of masculinity with the traumatic realities he encounters during his service. The paper concludes by suggesting that Craig's experience in war could have contributed to his ultimate suicide.
Keywords
The paper focuses on the key concepts of masculinity, toxic masculinity, war, war trauma, and the influence of famous writers on individuals' perceptions of masculinity. It uses examples from Christopher Shinn's play "Dying City" and the works of writers like Ernest Hemingway to explore these themes.
- Quote paper
- Franziska Sittig (Author), 2021, Images of Masculinity in "Dying City" by Christopher Shinn, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1195220
