Home / Current Issue / Paper 1706135
Negotiating Masculinity: An Analysis of Male Characters in African American Literature
Subject area: Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities · Area of research: Literature
Abstract
This study explores how African American male characters negotiate their masculinity in different social contexts through a comparative analysis of three seminal works of African American literature: Lorraine Hansberry's "A Raisin in the Sun" (1959), August Wilson's "Fences" (1985), and Wilson's "Gem of the Ocean" (2003). Employing a qualitative textual analysis approach and drawing on key concepts from masculinity studies, the paper examines how characters navigate traditional gender roles, perform masculinity, face crises of manhood, and search for identity. The findings reveal that masculinity is a fluid concept, constantly negotiated in response to changing social, economic, and cultural contexts. Societal expectations, economic factors, generational differences, and the intersection of race, class, and gender significantly influence the characters' masculine identities. The study highlights the complexity and diversity of African American masculinity, the resilience of African American men, and the need for more inclusive definitions of manhood. These findings contribute to a more nuanced understanding of how African American men navigate and redefine their masculine identities in response to societal challenges and personal aspirations. The study underscores the importance of considering historical context in understanding African American masculinity and its ongoing negotiation in literature and society.
How to cite this paper
@article{1706135,
author = {Aliata Lucy Ingato, Joseph Musungu, Christine Namayi},
title = {Negotiating Masculinity: An Analysis of Male Characters in African American Literature},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2024},
volume = {8},
number = {2},
pages = {204-209},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1706135.pdf},
abstract = {This study explores how African American male characters negotiate their masculinity in different social contexts through a comparative analysis of three seminal works of African American literature: Lorraine Hansberry's "A Raisin in the Sun" (1959), August Wilson's "Fences" (1985), and Wilson's "Gem of the Ocean" (2003). Employing a qualitative textual analysis approach and drawing on key concepts from masculinity studies, the paper examines how characters navigate traditional gender roles, perform masculinity, face crises of manhood, and search for identity. The findings reveal that masculinity is a fluid concept, constantly negotiated in response to changing social, economic, and cultural contexts. Societal expectations, economic factors, generational differences, and the intersection of race, class, and gender significantly influence the characters' masculine identities. The study highlights the complexity and diversity of African American masculinity, the resilience of African American men, and the need for more inclusive definitions of manhood. These findings contribute to a more nuanced understanding of how African American men navigate and redefine their masculine identities in response to societal challenges and personal aspirations. The study underscores the importance of considering historical context in understanding African American masculinity and its ongoing negotiation in literature and society.},
month = {August},
}