Gender Trouble Analysis
The main story expands this question by bringing up the concept of gender performativity and gender power imbalance. It unfolds while a boxing match is playing in the background. Even though Masters and Johnson are roleplaying as Dr. And Mrs. Francis Holden, they open up to each other, unveiling respective personal histories that made them the man, or woman, they are now. Both have their own struggle with the patriarchal system. Virginia refuses to conform to gender role and is not ‘a respectable woman of her time’ since she privileges her work over her children, and enjoys casual sex. Yet, she is not totally free from patriarchy and still worries that men will “feel threaten” by the number of sexual partners she had, for instance. More interestingly
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In the case of men, it forces them to internalize and perform archetypical masculine qualities in all circumstances in order not to be considered ‘effeminate’. Thus, today’s crisis of masculinity allows us to redefine our understanding of the traits and qualities that we associate with man, male and …show more content…
“Gender Trouble.” The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism. Ed. Vincent B. Leitch. 2nd ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2001. 2536-53. Print.
2) Halberstam, Judith. “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Men, Women, and Masculinity.” The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism. Ed. Vincent B. Leitch. 2nd ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2001. 2635-53. Print.
3) Bruzzi, Stella. Introduction. Bringing up Daddy: Fatherhood and Masculinity in Post-War Hollywood. By Bruzzi. London: BFI, 2005. vii-xviii. Print. To conclude, studying Masters of Sex would allow to dedicate an entire class to the concept of masculinity understood in relation to sex, reproduction, gender and sexuality. The discussion could also ask what happens when we show what used to be hidden such as sex on television for instance, or what are the consequences of challenging oppressive gendered social norms and rules. Masters of Sex makes a plea in favor of sexual and moral emancipation in a place that is still pervaded by puritanism. While the show is perceived as subversive today, let’s hope it will contributes to define what will become the new standards of
In the case of men, it forces them to internalize and perform archetypical masculine qualities in all circumstances in order not to be considered ‘effeminate’. Thus, today’s crisis of masculinity allows us to redefine our understanding of the traits and qualities that we associate with man, male and …show more content…
“Gender Trouble.” The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism. Ed. Vincent B. Leitch. 2nd ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2001. 2536-53. Print.
2) Halberstam, Judith. “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Men, Women, and Masculinity.” The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism. Ed. Vincent B. Leitch. 2nd ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2001. 2635-53. Print.
3) Bruzzi, Stella. Introduction. Bringing up Daddy: Fatherhood and Masculinity in Post-War Hollywood. By Bruzzi. London: BFI, 2005. vii-xviii. Print. To conclude, studying Masters of Sex would allow to dedicate an entire class to the concept of masculinity understood in relation to sex, reproduction, gender and sexuality. The discussion could also ask what happens when we show what used to be hidden such as sex on television for instance, or what are the consequences of challenging oppressive gendered social norms and rules. Masters of Sex makes a plea in favor of sexual and moral emancipation in a place that is still pervaded by puritanism. While the show is perceived as subversive today, let’s hope it will contributes to define what will become the new standards of