Masculinity In Balconville

In modern society, it is often considered taboo for men to behave in a manner that expresses their insecurities. Indeed, men are expected to characterize themselves as dominant alpha-males where sensitivity and emotional availability are weaknesses. Such characterizations of men as domineering figures are depicted in David Fennario’s Balconville in which one of the protagonists, Johnny, spends his days loafing around on his Point St. Charles balcony instead of searching for a job. To that effect, the play suggests that men who forcefully confine themselves to a masculine ideal may be less likely to develop meaningful relationships with those around them and improve their own conditions. This is illustrated in Johnny’s weakened relationship …show more content…
In fact, as his wife Irene is ready to leave for her work as a waitress, Johnny frustratingly laments that she should quit her job (96). Although Johnny tries to emulate masculine hegemony, he is ironically unable to provide for his family as he is emasculated by his wife who is the breadwinner of this relationship. Moreover, as Johnny shares a beer with Tom while sitting on the steps in front of his home, he complains that the people at the U.I.C are “all separatists” and that “if you’re English, you’re fucked” (96). Indeed, Johnny feels vulnerable and has been stripped away of his masculinity as a result of his unemployment which he blames on his Anglophone roots rather than his actual faults. Furthermore, when nobody but the “Pepsi’s next door” show up to his party, Johnny abruptly calls the party to an end and bitterly tells Paquette that “we were here first, ya fuckin farmer” (108). Johnny momentarily shows a hint of vulnerability as he realizes that he lacks status in society, attributing it to the French However, he quickly puts on a tough guise in order to cope with his feelings of emasculation and displaces his anger onto an undeserving Paquette who tries to defuse the