In today’s society, masculinity is defined as having certain qualities and characteristics of the perfect male, which may include having attractive features, leader-like traits, and power. Evidence can be seen from clothing advertisements on TV, magazines, and billboards, where the ideal male is always portrayed as having a tough, strong, confident image. Indeed, we are constantly reminded of what we should strive to be like by the media through entertainment and ads displayed everywhere we look. We usually do not associate weak as being masculine, so those who are overly sentimental and in tune with their emotions are generally not deemed “masculine” in pop culture. Hero-like characters who save “the damsel in distress” is the first example that comes to my mind, which basically stereotypes men as being the “knight in shining armour” and women who have to rely on their male counterparts in order to be saved. The strong, handsome “ideal” man is presented to us as children through Disney movies, and the media in today’s society builds on these concepts and forces us to try and achieve these aims even if it is not a healthy or accurate portrayal of people.
In Orwell’s 1984, Winston is presented to us as being the strong, independent, and courageous, main character. His female counterpart, Julia can be seen as being rebellious, but she is portrayed as being the weaker of the two, easily giving up when they have been caught in the end. Women do not play much of an important role in this novel, except as objects that satisfy sexual desires because love is forbidden. Therefore, men dominate the Party and all aspects of life. They control through violent measures, brainwashing, propaganda, and intimidation. All the positions of power in the novel are occupied by men (Ex. Goldstein, O’Brien, Big Brother). If, perhaps, women were in control, would the same strict regulations and methods of empowerment be in place? O’Brien states that Julia surrendered to them willingly and quickly after they had been caught, whereas Winston endures several torture sessions and puts up a strong resistance before he is finally converted. Here, Orwell could have been emphasizing the physical and mental pain men can endure which may be defined as being masculine.
Well done, Christine! This is an excellent analysis of the gender issue in both pop culture/media and Orwell's novel. I appreciate the variety of the examples your provide in the first part of your response. I urge you to keep thinking about gender roles in Orwell's novel. Can you think of any reason for Orwell's choice to portray his male protagonist in a feminine light? What about Julia's masculine traits?
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