Contested masculinities Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Contested masculinities - Essay ExampleThere is a correlativity between masculine types during this period and the contemporary American male, in which masculinity is defined by success, strength, lead and independence.Death of a Salesman represents three types of American masculinity during the Post World War II Era. The American male during this period was perceived as being independent, adventurous, competitive, and a leader, particularly in the home and in the work-place. Willys mental decline illuminates the stress men inevitably felt trying to succeed in the land of opportunities and to live up to the ascribed role of man during this period. This is demonstrated through Willys struggles with independence and identity in attempting to become the successful man and to meet his obligation to care for his family (McDonough 27) in pursuit of the American dream. It becomes clear that industrialization and family obligations coincide, creating barriers to those ascribed roles, caus ing conflicts between masculine identity and reality.The war itself forced an emphasis on the powerful male. The question was whether the American man was capable of pursuing successful careers and maintaining stable families and with these questions came the anxiety of donjon up to this characterization of the American man in the aftermath of the Second World War. In vagabond to understand Wilys struggles with this masculine type it is important to view his dilemma in this historical context.What emerges is a generational trend through Willys father, his brother Ben and Dave an old salesman. Clearly the idea of the self-made man was as important to masculine social status from one generation to another in America. Willy is influenced by his fathers independence and is likewise influenced by the old salesman, although he does not rupture to distinguish between the manners in which