Thursday, February 11, 2010
Joshua Thompson: Shane Discussion
I find it interesting to examine Bob’s position in the novel. Bob offers a unique perspective that focuses directly on manhood and masculinity. Bob’s point of view allows the reader to dissect Joe’s and Shane’s masculinity. Since Bob is attempting to become a man he scrutinizes every aspect of Shane and his father. According to Bob, it seems that Shane is a hero/real man because he has an “invincible completeness” (p. 254). Especially to boys, manhood is linked to invincibility and this becomes apparent when Bob runs to Shane to be sure that he could have killed Wilson without being shot if Shane had been in practice. However, this contrasts with the standards Bob holds his father to. Joe does not have to be invincible; Bob still considers him a real man even after Shane bests him. This double standard raises questions about who the script of masculinity applies to and if it bends for some people, such as fathers, or not.
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I agree that Shane and Joe are two very different men and, as both Joshua and Jacob have stated, both men are considered to be real men. Perhaps you are right in the sense that there is no single standard all men must adhere to in order to be considered real men. Maybe the traits of masculinity differ not only due to the individual man's position in the family hierarchy, but also due to his background, age, occupation, and/or other aspects.
ReplyDelete-Stephen Wong
So, do these latest comments suggest that men, young and old, need the mythic man? If so, what function does the myth serve in our society? Also, keep in mind that the novel was written in l949. Anything interesting about that date?
ReplyDeleteKeep the comments coming.
Cheers, Sibbie
I think that men, both young and old, need the mythic man. Boys need it as a guide or role-model, so that they'll know more about what to strive for to become men. They need to see good men succeed so that they'll know that they can succeed as good men too. And the mythic man serves as a reminder for men of what they should be doing as men, or at least of what society thinks that they should be doing.
ReplyDeleteSomething interesting about 1949 is that it's close to 1945, when WWII ended. Shane sort of reminds me of WWII America, both content to keep to themselves until the family becomes involved. For America, it was the attack on Pearl Harbor, and for Shane it was the homesteaders' questioning of Joe's leadership. Only then did America and Shane get involved, playing a great role in putting a stop to their respective wars. Shane could also be seen as a representation of the WWII soldier returning home, a dark fight-filled past behind him, looking for serenity ahead.