Modern Men - Mapping Masculinity in English and German Literature, 1880-1930

An examination of some of the canonical works of modern literature in English and German with regard to masculinity, relations between men, national identity and patriarchy. These were major preoccupations of male writers as they came to terms with or reacted against the decline of patriarchal authority. The book identifies five leitmotifs which serve to characterize the period between 1880 and 1930: the "double", the "other" (narcissus and Salome), the nationalization of Narcissus, Kampf or male bondage, and after patriarchy. Again and again one sees how men attempted to define themselves against what they imagined as "femininity", not merely outside but also within their selves, and further how men sought to overcome or find a socially acceptable expression for their narcissistic, homosexual and even sadomasochist libido.

List of contents

Preface
Part I The 'Double'
Introduction
1. Jekyll and Hyde
2. After dualism: Nietzsche
3. Dorian Gray
Part II The Other - Narcissus and Salome
Scapegoats
 4. The Trial of Narcissus: Wilde
5. The deaths of Narcissus: Hofmannsthal
6. The death of Salome
Part III The Nationalization of Narcissus
National Narcissim
7. Insiders / outsiders: Conrad's The Nigger of Narcissus and Stoker's Dracula

8. North, South, East, West: Musil, Mann, Hofmannsthal
Part IV Kampf or Male Bondage
War, men and 'meaning'
9. Fighting men: Lawrence and London
10. Kampf: Walser, Kafka, Brecht
Conclusion: after patriarchy
Index

About the author

Michael Kane

Product details

• Authors: Michael Kane
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 01.12.1999
• EAN: 9780304703104
• ISBN: 978-0-304-70310-4
• No. of pages: 256
• Subjects: Fiction > Poetry, drama; Humanities, art, music > Linguistics and literary studies > German linguistics / literary studies; England, Germany, Latin, 20th Century, LITERARY CRITICISM / Ancient & Classical, LITERARY CRITICISM / European / German, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Men's Studies, LITERARY CRITICISM / Modern / 19th Century, LITERARY CRITICISM / Modern / 20th Century, c 1800 to c 1900, 19th century, c 1800 to c 1899, 20th century, c 1900 to c 1999, Literary studies: c 1800 to c 1900, Literary studies: from c 1900 -, Literary studies: c 1900 to c 2000, Gender studies: men and boys, Gender Studies: Men