英语论文网

In Masculinities, Connell points out that “hegemony is likely to be established only if there is some correspondence between cultural ideal and institutional power. It is the successful claim to authority, more than direct violence, that is the mark of hegemony” (Connell, 2005:77) In most cases, male hegemony is achieved not by force but mainly by authority from institution and discourse. And the authority is the symbol of hegemonic masculinity. Male hegemony is related to material basis. Therefore, the achievement and success play a vital role in the construction of hegemonic masculinity. 

Chapter Two     Causes of the Transformation of Citrine's Masculinity

2.1 Influence of Consumerism on Citrine

In different times and social environments, the connotation of masculinity is not fixed, but will experience continuous changes with social development. Since the 20th century, due to the accelerated development of industrialization and urbanization, the United States has begun a fundamental social transformation, taking the lead in stepping into the consumer society. Due to the impact of the emerging consumer culture and the drastic changes in the social environment, American men truly feel the tension and anxiety caused by it, and become more and more confused about their identity and masculinity in the new society. To a large extent, the life value of men is mainly reflected through hard work, which is the basic way for men to perform and practice their gender roles and the main way for American men to construct their traditional masculinity. However, with the emergence of new ideas and ways to understand masculinity, the emergence of modern masculinity conforms to the needs of the consumer society. Citrine was plagued by self-loss in the context of consumer society, and fell into a dilemma of morality and masculinity eventually. It is under the imperceptible influence of consumerism that Citrine's masculinity has undergone dynamic changes. 

In Humboldt's Gift, Citrine is precisely through consumption activities to build self-identity and present his masculinity. As one of the cultural symbols of consumer society, automobile plays an important role in the dynamic change of Citrine's masculinity. At the beginning of the 20th century, automobile was still a luxury, a symbol of the distinction between class and status. After the 1950s, automobile became a necessity in life, and the popularity of automobiles implies the advent of consumer society in America. The way of life brought about by automobiles undermines Citrine's traditional value system that emphasizes thrift, frugality, self-restraint and condemnation impulses. Citrine's mistress Renata, was vain and lived a luxurious life. Although Renata's affection for him was full of materialism, he bought a Mercedes for her in order to control their love relationship and perform his hegemonic masculinity in emotional relations.  

2.2 Citrine's Sufferings with Jewish Identity

As Connell emphasizes, “race relation may also become an integral part of the dynamic between masculinities” (Connell, 2005:80). At the beginning of the 20th century, with the influx of a large number of Jewish into the United States, there were often frictions and conflicts between races. Especially in the construction of masculinity and gender identity, the scholarly ma本论文由英语论文网提供整理，提供论文代写，英语论文代写，代写论文，代写英语论文，代写留学生论文，代写英文论文，留学生论文代写相关核心关键词搜索。