Research Paper 2 Proposal and Preliminary Thesis

Radhames Guzman

English 101.0800

11/12/2010

Part I of Research Paper #2: Proposal and Preliminary Thesis

The topic of my research paper is going to talk about “the double bind of masculinity”. This topic comes from an article called, “Gentlemen or Beast? The Double Bind of Masculinity” by Susan Bordo. A double bind is a predicament in communication which involves an individual with two or more conflicting messages, with one message contradicting the other.

The main aspect of this article was to explain that men need to have both the “gentlemen” and “beast” features to function. My thesis is “Do men need to have this double bind of masculinity to function properly in society or is it okay for men to choose one side of personality?” It said to believe that men who are mostly gentlemen-like are seemed to be more feminine while men who are mostly beast-like have no class and are too much aggressive which makes them unattractive to some people. I believe that men need to have this double bind of masculinity in order to fit in with society. Men should have the gentlemen aspect to show class, emotion, and respect along with the beast aspect to play sports, learn to defend your family, and learn to stick up for yourself.

I will conduct my research by looking up scholar academic articles online. I will focus on men masculinities with personalities of “gentlemen” and “beast” aspects. I will look up sources to provide evidence on how men who are completely gentlemen react and men who are completely beastly react and how people view them in society. I will access these sources using the academic searching located on the LaGuardia Library Website, along with Google Scholar.

Research Paper First Draft - finished

Radhames Guzman

Magdalena Bogacka

English 101

11/8/2010

Advertisements, articles, and other media are displayed almost everywhere we go and everywhere we look. The purpose of media is to convince us to buy the goods, products and/or services they're advertising. The media are designed in such a way that when we think about it, it’s much more than what they want us to see. The media use hidden messages behind their products more specifically referring to men and the type of masculinity they promote. The manliness masculinity is one type that is being focused within these specific media. Esquire magazine is a men’s magazine which focuses, or better yet emphasizes men’s fashion. However, fashion is not everything that is being articulated. The messages in articles and advertisements show hints to what the magazine is really offering to people reading it.

Throughout the year of 2009-2010, Esquire magazine demonstrated a pattern which the articles and advertisements showed types of masculinity and how they were trying to promote it to the society. The manliness masculinity is one type that was viewed to be present. This reflects toward hegemonic similarities which promotes power, authority, and aggression. Some supporting points on the aspect of manliness masculinity provided evidence from articles within the magazine including what things a man should own, how it represents knowledge and skill, the evolution of man and how he’s come to be defined in the present, and what people view as manliness through specific careers/jobs. Some other points which are very effective in providing evidence on how the magazine promotes the manliness aspect of masculinity includes articles which show how men should be athletic or be built to show the “macho” in them, how men react toward women and specific rules into proving their manliness to attract them.

According to the manliness stereotype aspect of masculinity, men are supposed to be people who lead their family. They are the ones who are in control. Men are also known to be born with specific knowledge and skill by gender. According to an article in Esquire magazine, it states that “A man using a GPS is half a man” (“Things a Man should own” 80-83). What this means is for example, if a man is using a map or a cordless drill, it signifies how men could utilize certain items to get somewhere or fix something within the home to show manliness. Most men have the natural born ability to have the urge to fix things. The manliness in being a handyman is displayed through the ability to fix problems and seen in the man who is knowledgeable of his surroundings therefore giving him a sense of direction in other aspects of his life.

In accordance with another article in Esquire magazine, it quotes “With a strong and flexible core, you can throw harder, hit harder in swing sports, and perform better in demanding sow sports (Curtis Pesmen)”. Working out the body’s anchor makes the body strong and flexible. Some women when looking for men in their lives search for specific features including physical appearance. Statistics show women are attracted to men who are fit. Curtis explains how having a better body makes you a better man. It’s important for men who want to attract women to work out and develop those certain things which are muscles, fitness, or self-perseverance to create the look of being manly to attract women. The appearances could be going to the gym, working out to get nice big muscles, or just to prove to others you are fit enough to be in a gym. This shows that the man is strong, has endurance in specific activities, and handles himself independently. This conveys masculinity because women would look at this in a way where as the man is strong and he could handle his own. Along with that, he could also handle his women in a way that’s attractive towards them.

A quote from an article says, “When you happen upon a beautiful woman, you are that monk (“A Man’s Guide to Women” 104-111)”. It is to believe that to win a woman’s heart you must know her heart. According to “A Man’s Guide to Women”, men are required to have a specific guide to women in order to have a decent relationship. You are to learn how to understand women by knowing what makes them feel more comfortable around you. Women see men as gentlemen who are sometimes concerned to the feelings and emotions of a woman. Women also feel it’s important to show affection through the love of buying gifts and occasional outings. Knowing these key points puts a label on a man’s head that screams out “this is the man I want!” This promotes the manliness aspect of masculinity because men need to prove themselves as a man to act a certain way or show them affection. This of course shows responsibility which will give the opportunity for men to, hence the term, “go wild”, once women see the actions men are doing.

Manliness sometimes tends to describe hegemonic masculinity. A secondary source stated, “male power is at a structural level with no real understanding of how power is organized in terms of complicity…”(Tony Coles). “Masculinity does not mean the same thing to all men” (Tony Coles). Men that possess positions of power and wealth are described to be people who are manly. For example, they are responsible, they know what they want, and they have goals; all of which applies to men who are in control and men who are dominant. Some examples which apply to hegemonic masculinity focus on men who are “slender, fit, young, aggressive, and businessman dressed”.

Many people believe that men are who they are because of tradition. The evolution of the man has changed over the past decades, it refers to how society views it and how man is defined but things stay the same. In another article, we could analyze that to truly look at the manliness of masculinity; we would need to focus where man originated from (Tom Chiarella 61-63). The foundation of manliness can be based on the ideals that stem from the traditional man and certain qualities a man owns. For example, back in the day, there were no clocks. Certain developments such as telling the time of day was a man’s way to be in control of knowing his surroundings. Looking up at the sun, along with knowing which way is north and where the fish run made man one with the environment, thus adding to the control. Through the centuries, these ideas have been added on or altered to the perspective of man. The ideas point out the manliness masculinity coming from the very beginning of man.

Along with the evolution of man, there are reasons to believe as well that men who are manly become formed as early as young men in school. Macho mannerisms are displayed in order to conform within the school social setting. For example, “macho” students are perceived to run the show and define what is cool and uncool. Loud and rough, they make themselves the center of attention. In another secondary source article, it quotes “The concept “student styles” is inspired by the students’ own discourse” (Selma Therese Lyng 466). A multiple set of student styles is presented, including the macho man. Students have shared what performances, preferences, and other signifiers fit well together within one style and being able to display through practice, the knowledge of these rules which is essential to being rendered as a socially competent and intelligible person. The macho mannerisms promote the manliness masculinity and ultimately, the macho developments will carry out with young men past their pubescence and into their adult manhood.

Based on these reviewed articles, Esquire magazine portrays subliminal messages of the manliness aspect of masculinity. To attract readers and devoted subscribers, the "man's man" was definitely the way to go. In this way, they could reach out to a broader audience which focuses on men but can also include women. Their articles imply that real men own tools to represent knowledge and skill, take into account for staying fit, learn the ways to understand women, and are born with the foundation of manliness the come from the traditional man. In a manly man's world, esquire magazine has it all figured out to promote their views and reach its target audience.

Works Cited

“Things A Man Should Own.” Esquire, Vol. 151, Issue 5 May (2009) 80-83. Print.

Chiarella, Tom “What Is A Man?” Esquire, Vol. 151, Issue 5 May (2009) 61-63. Print.

Pesmen, Curtis “Better Body, Better Man…” Esquire, Vol. 151, Issue 5 May (2009) 100-107.

Print.

“A Man’s Guide To Women.” Esquire, Vol. 153, Issue 5 May (2010) 104-111. Print

Coles, Tony “Negotiating the Field of Masculinity: The Production and Reproduction of

Multiple Dominant Masculinities” Men and Masculinities, Vol. 12 Number 1 October

(2009) 30-44. Print

Lyng, Selma Therese “Is there more to “Antischoolishness” than Masculinity? On Multiple

Student Styles, Gender, and Educational Self-Exclusion in Secondary School” Men and

Masculinities, Vol. 11, Number 4 June (2009) 462-487. Print.

Reflections on Bromantic Comedy

Title of the movie: Wedding Crashers

Director: David Dobkin

Actors/Performers: John Beckwith (Owen Wilson), Jeremy Grey (Vince Vaughn)

Distributor: New Line Cinema

Year: 2005

Medium: Film

1. How do the main male characters behave in the movie toward other male characters? Toward female characters? Do you consider their behavior masculine? Why? Explain.
- The main male characters behave in such a manner to other males in which they have to lie to cover their identity. They treat females as if they're mere objects. Their behavior explains them as men who have motive to get the job done by any means necessary. They plan themselves to attend weddings and lie about who they are and act in a way to attract women. Their objective is to get the girl at the end of the night and do it all over again the next time they attend a wedding.

2. Does the movie place more emphasis on the relationships/bonds between males or between males and females? Are there any connections between the movie and what David Grazian discusses about males' behavior in "The Girl Hunt: Urban Nightlife and Performance of Masculinity as Collective Activity"?
- It seems that the movie places more emphasis on the relationships between males and females because the main male characters main focus is the female. Throughout the movie, it becomes less on male trying to get the girl for the night but more like trying to get the girl to settle down with. There's a connection between the movie and the "The Girl Hunt..." article. It shows how men choose wingmen to focus on the idea of obtaining women for their own pleasure. Each male works together to obtain the same objective.

3. What seems to be the ultimate message of the film? In other words, what ideas about men and masculinity do you, the viewer, walk away with from this film?
- Certain men have the idea that masculinity involves actions that may seem repulsive for example, men acting out a plan to get the girl at the end of the day for pleasure. It really shows that masculinity is viewed in different ways.

Summary:
- In the film Wedding Crashers, there are two main male characters in the movie. They are bestfriends and longlife buddies. They seem to have a hobby of crashing weddings in a way to pickup females. They have a set of rules in which they have to follow to prevent others from knowing their identity and to not jeopardize "the mission" which is to get the girl at the end of the day. The scenes change when they each notice a woman which may seem perfect for them. They go through struggles when things don't turn out as planned. This film portrays the idea that men are people who believe that in order to have the manly masculinity you have a series of rules and have wingmen in order to pick up girls. Men view this a opportunity to show how manly they can be in front of other men as if to show an example to others. Some men need to prove themselves to becalled a "man".

Work Cited

Wedding Crashers. Dir. David Dobkin. Perf. Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn. New Line Cinema, 2005. Film

Research Paper Outline 1

Preliminary Thesis: The Manliness Aspect of Masculinity

1^st Supporting point –

THINGS A MAN SHOULD OWN. Esquire, 01949535, May2009, Vol. 151, Issue 5

Topic – Things a man should own represent knowledge and skill.

Example – An example is U.S. Road atlas which represents knowledge. Another example is a cordless drill which represents skill.

Further details – “A man using a GPS is half a man.” The fact of having a map and a cordless drill shows us how men could utilize certain items for either getting somewhere or fixing something up within the home.

Analysis – According to the manliness aspect of masculinity, men are supposed to be the ones leading the family, someone in control. Having a map shows he’s responsible and he knows what he’s doing. With a cordless drill, it shows the manliness masculinity because of being a handy man at home. When something breaks, it’s usually the man who takes initiative to find a fix for the problem.

2^nd Supporting point –

WHAT IS A MAN? By: Chiarella, Tom, Esquire, 01949535, May2009, Vol. 151, Issue 5

Topic – The evolution of man and how far he’s come to be defined as he is now.

Example – A man could look up at the sun and tell you what time it is. A man could also tell which way is north. He could also tell you where the fish run.

Further details – Back in the day, there were no clocks. Developments such as telling the time of day was a man’s way to be in control of knowing his surroundings. Looking up at the sun, along with knowing which way is north and where the fish run made man one with the environment, thus adding to the control.

Analysis – To truly look at manliness of masculinity, you have to see where man originated from. The foundation of manliness can be based on the ideals that stem from the orginal man. Through the centuries, these ideas have been added or altered to the perspective of man.

3^rd Supporting Point –

Better Body, Better Man... By: Pesmen, Curtis, Esquire, 01949535, June2009, Vol. 151, Issue 5

Topic – Men who work out gives a sense of manliness out of them.

Example – Working out the body’s anchor makes the body more strong and flexible. You can throw harder, hit harder in swing sports, and perform better within sports and any other activities which involve endurance.

Further details – Women are attracted to men in such a way they look for physical features before knowing the person. It’s important for men who want to attract women, to work out and find those certain things which create the manliness look to attract women.

Analysis – This promotes manliness masculinity because according to the stereotypical look of the man having big muscles, shows that he is strong and he could handle his own and as well as handle his woman.

4^th Supporting point –

A Man's Guide To Women. Esquire, 01949535, May2009, Vol. 153, Issue 5

Topic – Men’s guide to women and how to understand them.

Example – Men need to learn how to understand women. Things that are needed to know is how to make them feel more comfortable around you, buy them gifts, and occasional dancing.

Further details – According to the article, women are attracted to things that men need to learn in order for the relationship to work. Knowing these key points puts a name above your head that screams “this is the man I want!”

Analysis – This promotes manliness masculinity because men have to act a certain way or do certain things for women to like. If you could show them what they think men act then why not ask what they like. Men showing they can be responsible and have the opportunity to please will make the women go wild!

5^th Supporting point –

Negotiating the Field of Masculinity : The Production and Reproduction of Multiple Dominant Masculinities

Topic – The theory of hegemonic masculinity.

Example – Some examples shows “dominant masculinity are men who are slender, fit, young, aggressive, businessman dressed.”

Further details – “The theory of hegemonic masculinity tends to be used to describe male power at a structural level with no real understanding of how power is organized in terms of complicity…”

Analysis – Men that possess positions of power and wealth are described as pertaining to masculinity hegemonic. This compares to the same masculinity manliness. Men who are dominant as well are looked upon being manly.

6^th Supporting point -

Is There More to “Antischoolishness” than Masculinity? On Multiple Student Styles, Gender, and Educational Self-Exclusion in Secondary School

Topic – A multiple set of student styles is presented, including the macho boy; Students have shared what performances, preferences, and other signifiers fit well together within one style and being able to display through practice the knowledge of these rules is essential to being rendered a socially competent and intelligible junior high school student.

Example – "Macho" students are perceived to run the show and define what is cool and uncool. Loud and rough, they make themselves the center of attention.

Further details – They all specialized in similar self-presentations, such as displaying traditionally “macho” conduct and language, signaling active distancing and rejection of schoolwork and teachers, and expressing parallel opinions of co-students.

Analysis - The manliness masculinity begins to form as early as young men in school. Macho mannerisms are displayed in order to conform within the school social setting. Ultimately, these developments will carry out with them past their pubescence and into their manhood.

MASCULINITIES: Review for Midterm/Blog Post #6

MASCULINITIES: Review for Midterm/Blog Post #6: "Please take out your Venn diagrams and proofread it. Then compose a Works Cited page for the two readings on the basis of which you composed..."

Annotated Bibliography(edited)

Preliminary Thesis: The Manliness Aspect on Masculinity.

“Things A Man Should Own.” Esquire, Vol. 151, Issue 5 May (2009) 80-83. Print.

In this article, it talks about things a man should own. They list certain items in which I believe promotes manliness masculinity.

This source is appropriate and useful for my research paper because it shows characteristics on the certain items men are supposed to own in order to be seen as a true man.

Men having these items show that men represent knowledge and skill. Men are portrayed in such a way to be seemed manlier due to being a handy man within the family home.

Chiarella, Tom “What Is A Man?” Esquire, Vol. 151, Issue 5 May (2009) 61-63. Print.

In this article, it talks about what is truly a man. They as well list certain aspects which promotes manliness masculinity looking at it from a perspective of origin.

This source is appropriate and also useful for my research paper because it explains how the basic evolution of man and what they are supposed to know. It states the importance of where man seemed to originate from.

To sum it all up, the article promotes the manliness masculinity because it shows how men evolved with a certain foundation that women look up to. As well as having basic moral in order to take care of their family shows manliness.

Pesmen, Curtis “Better Body, Better Man…” Esquire, Vol. 141, Issue 5 May (2004) 100-107. Print.

In this article, it talks about men and their physical aspects. Men who work out gives a sense of manliness out of them.

This source is a good choice for my research paper because it gives great details on certain aspects for men to know to prove their manliness to women.

There are certain women who are attracted to men who are built in muscles. It shows strength and dominance and it gives the man the feeling of being in control. This promoted the manliness masculinity.

“A Man’s Guide To Women.” Esquire, Vol. 153, Issue 5 May (2010) 104-111. Print

Lastly in this article, it talks about what women want in a man. Gives tips on guys on what you should do and what you shouldn’t do if you want to be the man they want to be with.

This is a good source for my research because I could use those certain aspects in which woman want in a man and compare it to how it affects their masculinity and if it appears to be more manliness.

Using the key ideas from women to convey men how to act and what to do for them, can give men the manliness appeal to attract women. This is how it promotes masculinity.

Final Draft

Radhames Guzman
English 101.0800
Miss B
October 8, 2010

Essay 1
Advertisement Analysis


Advertisements are displayed almost everywhere we go and everywhere we look. The purpose of these advertisements is to convince us to either buy the goods, products and/or services they're advertising. The ads are designed in such a way that when you think about it, it’s much more than what they want you to see. Most of the time, ads have a hidden message behind their product and more specifically ads that show what it says about men and the type of masculinity they promote. In an ad posted by Macy’s, Beckham Signature Story "Him and Her" fragrance promotes hegemonic masculinity through physical appearances from the man and woman, the reaction of the woman towards the man, and the man’s reaction towards the woman.

The ad is very interesting due to the fact that what it’s promoting is a “His and Her” fragrance but shows a lot of masculinity. The physical appearance of the man shows strength, which is the character trait in which people views a man's over a woman's. The man is wearing a blazer with a white collared shirt, opened, and no tie. The attraction of this promotes masculinity. The fragrance adds to his attraction and his physical appearance backs him up on it. The blazer with the white collared shirt shows he is a man with class and he knows what he’s doing in a situation dealing with women. The clean cut with light facial hair shows his hygiene. It makes him look older but young at the same time. Men who are fully bearded are generally perceived to be more masculine in appearance. The fact that he had some, suggested the masculinity but since it was not full, the man still had a sense of youth and makes him attractive to the woman which is a plus because it further enhances his manliness.

Another good aspect in this ad that shows masculinity is the way the woman is reacting toward the man. The woman’s face is expressed in a way where she’s having some sort of sexual dream. Having her eyes closed and her lips puckered, it seems she’s in complete thought with the man as if she was under some magical spell from the fragrance. The ad suggests that women play a role in determining what is attractive as it pertains to masculinity. It shows the woman as she reacts to the man’s attraction factors, which include looks and smell. The man having the physical appearance and now with the sense of smell attract the woman more to him almost as if it was an equation of 1+1=2. In other words, having this enhancement makes it feel integrated which brings to the next point of being in control.

The last aspect is how the man in the ad is holding the woman in it. Both the man and woman appear to be standing and leaning against the wall. The woman’s posture seems to be reacting toward the man holding her waist and pulling her close to him. The man has a slight lean toward the woman as if he’s going to kiss her but with a firm look upon his face. This shows dominance, control, and power from within. The fact that he’s looking at her and only her instead of looking at the camera shows the faithfulness, authority, and supremacy from his personality. He’s not saying “Look at me, you know you want this”, at other people. Better yet, “She’s mine, and because I’m wearing this fragrance it’s enhancing my factors.”

While taking into consideration of the supporting points, it just shows that ads posted all around us don’t really mean it’s just about the product their advertising. Masculine imagery is important as well as reaction towards opposite sexes as viewed by society. A much deeper meaning, to which not all can see by just looking at an advertisement kind of makes you want to take a second look on things in life as well.

Works Cited
Bechham Signature Story Fragrance Ad. Allure. (2009):N.P. Print.