Mascuilinity through New Zealand Literature Essay -- essays research p

In search of: Representations of Masculinity As explored in K. Road, Once Were Warriors, The Making of a New Zealander, and Working Up North. Research Questions: 1: How important is masculinity to the society portrayed in each text? 2: How do the main male characters show or express this masculinity or manliness? 3: Is the perception of the classic New Zealand male changing? RESOURCES: Title: ‘K. Road’ Author: Ted Dawe Date: 2/5/2006 1: Because this novel was set in the late 1990’s K Road, masculinity is important in showing what most males were like then. Showing toughness, joining gangs, playing rugby and drinking excessive amounts of beer were all attributes that a kiwi bloke must have to help them appear masculine and manly. 2: Characters such as Flash and Rabbit show their masculinity through rugby and surfing and camping on the beach (outdoors). Characters such as Sonny and the Te Pania boys show their masculinity through their muscles, tattoos and gang fights. 3: Because this is set in K Road as opposed to South Island farmland for instance, it shows a slight change in the perception of masculinity or the classic ‘Kiwi Bloke.’ Men no longer are required to play rugby and drink beer to be considered manly. Title: ‘Once Were Warriors’ Author: Alan Duff Date: 8/5/2006 1: Jake Heke, the main character, is easily provoked and extremely aggressive. He also liked to show off his masculinity to his mates. He would often be drunk and abuse his wife physically. This type of thing was extremely common in area similar to were ‘Once Were Warriors’ was set.... ...staunchness’ as the main factor determining masculinity. I believe that the perceptions of the stereotypical ‘Kiwi bloke’ are false and that the pride and respect within this sense of manliness has gone. Also I have found that this perception seems to be changing from the rural based, rugby obsessed men to more modern city based men with good taste and nice clothes. However the media are still presenting Kiwi men as being rough, rugby playing big-men that like to have a beer with their mates. BIBLIOGRAPHY: Â ·Dawe, Ted (2005) ‘K Road’ Longacre Press, Dunedin. Â ·Marshall, Owen (1995) ‘Working Up North’ in ‘Coming Home in the Dark’ Random House New Zealand ltd, Auckland. Â ·Sargeson, Frank (1982) ‘The Making of a New Zealander’ in ‘The Stories of Frank Sargeson. Penguin Books ltd, Auckland. Â ·Duff, Alan (1990) ‘Once Were Warriors’ Tandem Press, Auckland. Mascuilinity through New Zealand Literature Essay -- essays research p In search of: Representations of Masculinity As explored in K. Road, Once Were Warriors, The Making of a New Zealander, and Working Up North. Research Questions: 1: How important is masculinity to the society portrayed in each text? 2: How do the main male characters show or express this masculinity or manliness? 3: Is the perception of the classic New Zealand male changing? RESOURCES: Title: ‘K. Road’ Author: Ted Dawe Date: 2/5/2006 1: Because this novel was set in the late 1990’s K Road, masculinity is important in showing what most males were like then. Showing toughness, joining gangs, playing rugby and drinking excessive amounts of beer were all attributes that a kiwi bloke must have to help them appear masculine and manly. 2: Characters such as Flash and Rabbit show their masculinity through rugby and surfing and camping on the beach (outdoors). Characters such as Sonny and the Te Pania boys show their masculinity through their muscles, tattoos and gang fights. 3: Because this is set in K Road as opposed to South Island farmland for instance, it shows a slight change in the perception of masculinity or the classic ‘Kiwi Bloke.’ Men no longer are required to play rugby and drink beer to be considered manly. Title: ‘Once Were Warriors’ Author: Alan Duff Date: 8/5/2006 1: Jake Heke, the main character, is easily provoked and extremely aggressive. He also liked to show off his masculinity to his mates. He would often be drunk and abuse his wife physically. This type of thing was extremely common in area similar to were ‘Once Were Warriors’ was set.... ...staunchness’ as the main factor determining masculinity. I believe that the perceptions of the stereotypical ‘Kiwi bloke’ are false and that the pride and respect within this sense of manliness has gone. Also I have found that this perception seems to be changing from the rural based, rugby obsessed men to more modern city based men with good taste and nice clothes. However the media are still presenting Kiwi men as being rough, rugby playing big-men that like to have a beer with their mates. BIBLIOGRAPHY: Â ·Dawe, Ted (2005) ‘K Road’ Longacre Press, Dunedin. Â ·Marshall, Owen (1995) ‘Working Up North’ in ‘Coming Home in the Dark’ Random House New Zealand ltd, Auckland. Â ·Sargeson, Frank (1982) ‘The Making of a New Zealander’ in ‘The Stories of Frank Sargeson. Penguin Books ltd, Auckland. Â ·Duff, Alan (1990) ‘Once Were Warriors’ Tandem Press, Auckland.