Complicity to Hegemonic Masculinity in D.H. Lawrence’s Sons and Lovers

Angelina Subrayan ,Wan Roselezam Wan Yahya

doi:10.7575/aiac.ijclts.v.4n.2p.33

Angelina Subrayan , Wan Roselezam Wan Yahya

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.7575/aiac.ijclts.v.4n.2p.33

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Abstract

Men have long been associated with dominance, strength and confidence and the issue regarding being compliant to the acceptable masculine ideal has always been part of a culture’s social identity. This study focuses on the critical discussion on masculinity studies in the classic fiction of D.H Lawrence. Drawing on narrative data from his novel Sons and Lovers (1913) , the study examines how hegemonic masculinity is conformed by the male protagonist, Walter Morel, in his gendered relationship. More specifically, the analysis focuses on how the male character aligns himself with the hegemonically authoritarian philosophy of ‘tough’ masculinity. The effects of social practices and socio-historical context in which Lawrence wrote these novels are also examined. The study utilises Connell’s theory of hegemonic masculinity to explicate Lawrence’s depiction of dominant masculinity through his character. The findings reveal that Lawrence aligns his male protagonist to the dominant role by sanctioning aggressiveness, autonomy and violence. Keywords: Hegemonic Masculinity, Dominant Masculinity, Patriarchy, Gender, Power

Highlights

In his concept that is related to power relations asserts that men are primarily responsible for the constructions of hierarchical gender relations (Connell, 1995)
Masculinity, according to literary critic Judith Kegan Gardiner is the act of ruling the rapport between men and men in addition to between men and women in society, where in general women are subordinated to men (Gardiner, 2002)
In the North American society, what is typically referred to as “hegemonic masculinity” is the principal type of masculinity or the cultural ideal of manliness which is reflective of white heterosexual who are widely middle-class males (Kimmel, 2006)

Summary

Introduction

In his concept that is related to power relations asserts that men are primarily responsible for the constructions of hierarchical gender relations (Connell, 1995). Hegemonic masculinity is a complicated concept that is more complex than “patriarchy” where the “social ascendency” is accomplished not through violence and assimilation of power, but more significantly in the course of skills linked to powers that range from “religious doctrine” to “mass media” This process fundamentally provides the structure of the overall domination of men to women (Connell, 1987: 184). This study utilises Connell’s concept of hegemonic masculinity to explicate significant features related to patriarchy in the character of Morel from Lawrence’s novel, Sons and Lovers (1913). These features are analysed based on Lawrence’s male protagonist Morel’s representation of masculinity. The study utilises the hegemonic theory illustrated by Connell (1995) to elucidate the masculine identity in the novel

Lawrence’s Representation of Marriage

Socio-historical Context of Sons and Lovers

Hagemonic Masculinity in Sons and Lovers

Conclusion