Masculine Identity Crisis in American Fiction. Male Characters' Struggle for Masculine Identity in "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Essay , 2022 , 10 Pages , Grade: 1,4

American Studies - Literature

This essay will examine the crisis of masculine identity in F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby". It closely examines the male characters’ struggle in search of masculine identity. Furthermore, it will explore the portrayal of the male characters in relation to patriarchy and the demands of the society of being a man.

After masculinity was discovered, as a field of study, by sociologists, cultural anthropologists, and psychologists, literary scholars and critics also started to explore the diverse concepts of masculinity crisis in literature since "literature can reveal aspects of masculinity that might not come out or be visible in daily life or in other types of cultural artifacts" as Reeser states. The masculinity crisis finds its expression in literary works and cultural discourses of the early decades of the twentieth century.

In American fiction, the masculine identity crisis appears in many different facets and manifestations. But in the literary works in the 1920s, especially in the works dealing with wealth and social transition, the crisis of masculine identity is almost unanimously portrayed in young men who want to become rich and create a new identity or what is so called so-called the Self-Made Man. The young men who reject the new social values and embrace masculinity; men who try to live up to the ideals of traditional American masculinity.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Masculine Identity Crisis in American Fiction
• Troubled Men: Male Characters' Struggle for Masculine Identity in The Great Gatsby
• The Crisis of Masculine Identity
• Masculinity and its Identity in Literary Texts
• The Great Gatsby
• Nick Carraway's Journey
• Jay Gatsby's Journey
• Tom Buchanan and the Masculine Stereotype
• Masculinity and its Performance
• Power and the Crisis of Masculinity

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This essay examines the crisis of masculine identity in F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. It delves into the struggles of male characters in their pursuit of masculine identity and explores their portrayal in relation to patriarchy and societal expectations of manhood. The analysis will highlight the evolution of the masculine identity crisis in the early 20th century, especially within the context of social transition and the emergence of the "Self-Made Man" ideal.

• The crisis of masculine identity in the early 20th century
• The portrayal of masculinity in American fiction of the 1920s
• The struggle of male characters to establish their masculine identity in a changing society
• The role of wealth, power, and social status in defining masculine identity
• The impact of patriarchy and societal expectations on the male characters' search for identity

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• This chapter discusses the evolution of the masculine identity crisis as a central theme in men's studies, focusing on the historical context of war, social injustice, and societal shifts during the transition from the 19th to the 20th century. The chapter explores the impact of industrialization, urbanization, women's and workers' movements, and the emerging discourse surrounding homosexuality and degeneration. The discussion highlights how these social changes challenged and destabilized the traditional model of hegemonic masculinity, leading to a sense of crisis among men.
• The chapter delves into the complex relationship between masculinity and identity in literary texts, arguing that analyzing male characters solely on an individual level is insufficient. It emphasizes the importance of considering the interactions and relationships between male and female characters within the narrative.
• This chapter introduces The Great Gatsby as a pivotal novel in American fiction that captures the social and cultural transformations following World War I. It highlights the novel's depiction of the Roaring Twenties and its exploration of the struggle to establish masculine identity within a society undergoing a shift in social values. The chapter explores how The Great Gatsby addresses the tension between individual aspirations and the constraints of societal norms.
• The chapter focuses on Nick Carraway, the protagonist and narrator of The Great Gatsby, and his journey to establish an acceptable masculine identity. It analyzes his decision to leave his hometown for New York City, his rejection of marriage, and his use of mobility as a marker of his manliness. The chapter also explores the connection between Nick's journey and the broader theme of masculinity in the novel.
• This chapter delves into Jay Gatsby's pursuit of Daisy Buchanan, highlighting his belief that wealth can bridge the gap between himself and his beloved. It explores the link between Gatsby's financial aspirations and his desire to establish his masculine identity. The chapter analyzes the symbolism of Gatsby's house and the significance of his attempt to replicate Daisy's wealth as a means of attaining masculine acceptance.
• The chapter examines Tom Buchanan's portrayal as a character who embodies the stereotype of the self-made man, yet still struggles to establish his masculine identity. It explores the tension between Tom's inherited wealth and his desire to validate his masculine status through dominance and assertiveness. The chapter highlights the contradiction between Tom's outward appearance of masculinity and the underlying insecurity that fuels his actions.
• The chapter discusses the concept of masculinity as a performative act rather than a fixed attribute. It explores the idea that masculine identity is constantly in flux, requiring men to constantly reaffirm and demonstrate their masculinity through their actions and interactions. The chapter draws upon Simone de Beauvoir's concept of "becoming" to illustrate the fluidity of masculine identity and the need for continuous performance.
• This chapter delves into the different facets of masculine power – economic, social, and physical – and how their possession or lack thereof influences an individual's perception of masculinity. It uses the example of Tom Buchanan and George Wilson to illustrate the social hierarchy based on these qualities and the consequences of lacking such power. The chapter explores the concept of patriarchy and its impact on the reinforcement of masculine hierarchy within the social structure.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This preview explores key concepts related to masculinity and its crisis in American fiction, particularly in the context of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. The work delves into themes such as the evolving definition of masculinity in the early 20th century, the struggles of men to establish their identity within a changing society, the role of wealth and power in defining masculinity, and the impact of patriarchy on individual experiences of manhood. Key concepts explored include the “Self-Made Man” ideal, hegemonic masculinity, and the performative nature of masculine identity.

• College: University of Leipzig
• Grade: 1,4
• Author: Ibrahim Al Shaaban (Author)
• Publication Year: 2022
• Pages: 10
• Catalog Number: V1315857
• ISBN (PDF): 9783346791788
• Language: English
• Tags: masculine, identity, crisis, american, fiction, male, characters, struggle, great, gatsby, scott, fitzgerald