Masculinity seems to have quite a pull on those living in and under western society. With each individual experience comes an individual struggle; in the novels Second Class Citizen, Mr. Loverman, White Teeth, and The Opposite house we grow close to characters experiencing masculinity under British rule. By comparing these books, we can see how sexuality, gender, and cultural differences all come into play when performing and interacting with the hyper-masculine. White Teeth tells a story of cross cultural interaction. Each character has an entirely different background, and their interactions demonstrate how western culture can negatively affect a character. Our story begins with Archie, a representative of the white patriarch, breathing exhaust fumes in an attempt to commit suicide. His reasoning seems to signify that he has failed at completing the mile stones expected of a man. Ophelia, his wife, had divorced him. He failed at finding love, having children, and building a
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Loverman highlights issues with masculinity and homophobia in Antigua and England, it is important to note the different experience Barry has in both places. Evaristo creates parallel scenes, which allow the audience to juxtapose these concepts in both places. Morris and Barry are caught by Barry’s brother. His brother does not approve, but he “accepted it because I was his little brother,” because he “was a good man” (cite). Meanwhile, when Barry is caught in England, he was jumped. This exchange was so violent that Barry “expected to feel the cold blade of a knife,” and eventually blacked out (cite). England had been violent to him, creating a reversal of audience expectations. Though Antigua was harsher on punishment, Barry was treated with kindness. This seems to support Lola’s theory that “It’s homophobia, not homosexuality, that was imported” (cite). The novel seems to support that is was the British that criminalized homosexuality and strict performances of
Loverman highlights issues with masculinity and homophobia in Antigua and England, it is important to note the different experience Barry has in both places. Evaristo creates parallel scenes, which allow the audience to juxtapose these concepts in both places. Morris and Barry are caught by Barry’s brother. His brother does not approve, but he “accepted it because I was his little brother,” because he “was a good man” (cite). Meanwhile, when Barry is caught in England, he was jumped. This exchange was so violent that Barry “expected to feel the cold blade of a knife,” and eventually blacked out (cite). England had been violent to him, creating a reversal of audience expectations. Though Antigua was harsher on punishment, Barry was treated with kindness. This seems to support Lola’s theory that “It’s homophobia, not homosexuality, that was imported” (cite). The novel seems to support that is was the British that criminalized homosexuality and strict performances of