Labored Language: Anxiety and Sadomasochism in Steel-industry Tales of Masculinity

Abstract

This article discusses the construction and representation of worker masculinities within one of the West's premier industries: steel. It argues that concerns over sadomasochism in masculinity, which are vigorously denied within the dominant oedipal myth of masculinity, are revealed and interrogated by working-class tales about the steel industry—although these narratives cannot finally overturn the dominant. The result of that controlling mythic process is a continual rewarding and repetition of masculine behavior that is sadomasochistic at base. The cost of that system of rewards and punishments is enormous for all classes and races. But as workers' tales make clear, although the cost is ultimately paid by all, it is not equally shared among all.