Male Heterosexuality in Hawkes's The Passion Artist

Abstract

As one of the few contemporary male authors affected directly by the feminist movement, Hawkes is at the forefront of the male response. His fiction examines such issues as: domination/submission, father-daughter incest, pornography, the Lolita complex, men's relationship with their mothers, jealousy, and power. With the recent conflict within feminism over erotica vs. pornography, Hawkes gives an honest and vivid portrayal of one man's involvement; often his vision resembles that of many men. The Blood Oranges introduces an important theme for a critical engagement with male heterosexuality. Cyril, the male antagonist, articulates an explicit theory of non-monogamous marriage. His theory diverges quite dramatically, though, from the typical double standard of most male writers. In Death, Sleep and the Traveler and Travesty Cyril's theory unravels in the specific behavior of the male characters. Cyril's suggestion that husbands and wives should make love with whom they please and that each should help the other in accomplishing their seductions becomes problematic in Death, Sleep and the Traveler. Allert, the husband, is quite unhappy with the knowledge that his wife has a boyfriend. As if to retaliate, Allert falls in love with Ariane who, it seems, he murders. A lovely young woman who believes in free love,