Amy Molina
Men’s Expectations through Literature
Published in 1983, The New York Times article entitled, “Being a man,” depicts men’s roles within American society. The author, Paul Theroux, describes how young boys are raised to constantly demonstrate their manliness; a continuous cycle until adulthood. American literature live up to the expectations set forth by society; boys acting wild and adults being controlling, abusing power. (58)
In his article, Theroux, explains his views on the American idea of manhood: absolutely pitiful, arguing that men, similarly to women, are oppressed by societal expectations. Theroux starts his article by giving a general definition of the word “manly”. Throughout his article, he compares the oppression men …show more content…
As punishment, Ben must laugh for an hour. When Ben is not willing to laugh, Miss Wissing does not force him, she simply pleads for his laughter. Throughout the story, the reader discovers that Ben did not want to laugh at Miss Wissing, Ben, along with the other boys started to “behave like monkeys”, and he had “stop[ed] thinking” and laughed. As young boys, they are raised to draw attention to themselves without thinking of the consequences. They go around being “boys”, meaning that they have the authority of making fun of women because “men and women are separate.” From the start, Ben’s intention was to be Miss Wissing’s friend, however, this was not possible because society “denies men the natural friendship of women”. Ben was raised to think that to be “manly” it is okay to not respect others. Ben laughed at Miss Wissing because he has been in the company of other boys, trying to prove his superiority. In the American society, boys are taught to do whatever they please, without suffering consequences. Boy are taught since little that they are the ones who have power and authority over all. Saroyan made it clear that since boys are given these powers, they do not think about the actions they take.
Men’s Expectations through Literature
Published in 1983, The New York Times article entitled, “Being a man,” depicts men’s roles within American society. The author, Paul Theroux, describes how young boys are raised to constantly demonstrate their manliness; a continuous cycle until adulthood. American literature live up to the expectations set forth by society; boys acting wild and adults being controlling, abusing power. (58)
In his article, Theroux, explains his views on the American idea of manhood: absolutely pitiful, arguing that men, similarly to women, are oppressed by societal expectations. Theroux starts his article by giving a general definition of the word “manly”. Throughout his article, he compares the oppression men …show more content…
As punishment, Ben must laugh for an hour. When Ben is not willing to laugh, Miss Wissing does not force him, she simply pleads for his laughter. Throughout the story, the reader discovers that Ben did not want to laugh at Miss Wissing, Ben, along with the other boys started to “behave like monkeys”, and he had “stop[ed] thinking” and laughed. As young boys, they are raised to draw attention to themselves without thinking of the consequences. They go around being “boys”, meaning that they have the authority of making fun of women because “men and women are separate.” From the start, Ben’s intention was to be Miss Wissing’s friend, however, this was not possible because society “denies men the natural friendship of women”. Ben was raised to think that to be “manly” it is okay to not respect others. Ben laughed at Miss Wissing because he has been in the company of other boys, trying to prove his superiority. In the American society, boys are taught to do whatever they please, without suffering consequences. Boy are taught since little that they are the ones who have power and authority over all. Saroyan made it clear that since boys are given these powers, they do not think about the actions they take.