Mode one: Song: macho man by the village people
Lyrics:
Body...wanna feel my body?
Body...such a thrill my body
Body...wanna touch my body?
Body...it's too much my body
Check it out my body, body.
Don't you doubt my body, body.
talkin' bout my body, body,
check it out my body
Every man wants to be a macho macho man
to have the kind of body, always in demand
Jogging in the mornings, go man go
works out in the health spa, muscles glow
You can best believe that, he's a macho man
ready to get down with, anyone he can
Hey! Hey! Hey, hey, hey!
Macho, macho man (macho man)
I've got to be, a macho man
Macho, macho man
I've got to be a macho man! Ow....
Every man ought to be a macho macho man,
To live a life of freedom, machos make a stand,
Have their own life style and ideals,
Possess the strength and confidence, life's a steal,
You can best believe that he's a macho man
He's a special person in anybody's land
Anyalysis: How many times have you sung along to the chorus of this song when it was blaring over the radio or playing when you were rollerskating back in middle school? It has certainly become a well known song, But how many people actually know any lyrics to the song besides the chorus? The lyrics focus on the physical aspects of masculinity and the way a man should look. The song talks about going to the gym to get big muscles. The emphasis of the song is on the macho man’s ideal body. The song ends with the view of a macho man as someone every one should be and someone who is looked up to in society. What are the implications of having the emphasis of the essence of masculinity being on physical appearance? Does this leave men and boys feeling physically inept?
Mode two: art work: Masculinty by Jamie wyeth
Analysis: When Jamie Wyeth was asked to create a painting that was the embodiment of masculinity, he chose to paint a well known portrait of Arnold Swartzinegar. Arnold is your stereotypical masculine man, he not only flexes his biceps on the world stage, but he also knows how to flex his political muscles and has become a powerful and influential man. Jamie’s painting reflects what society conveys to be the image of a masculine man. Arnold is depicted in the picture in a commanding stance that displays his physical prowess. His hand rests in his hip, his head slightly cocked to the right. His arm is flexed in an upright position, his biceps being the main focus of the painting. Again we see where the emphasis of masculinty lies.
Mode three: literature: Silence is male by Alma C. Reith.
Silence is Male
Statistics say a man will say,
In conversation with his wife.
No more then six words every day,
At home throughout his married life.
My husband, non- conformist mate,
Is more magnanimous no mere,
Six words for him, he offers eight.
“I do not wish to talk, my dear.”
-By Alma C. Reith
Analysis: Although this poem has very few words I think it speaks volumes about the stereotype that men tend not to share their emotions. Woman tend to be the more social creatures with an innate need to communicate their feelings. This idea the real men don’t share their feelings, and don’t enjoy conversation as much as woman is something that our society conveys. The poem jokingly says her husband is a nonconformist leading you to think that he openly talks to her all the time. If you read the next lines the author pokes fun at this stereotype saying her husband communicates to her, but only to tell her that, “he doesn’t not wish to talk my dear.” The title of the poem silence is male also suggests that being silent is a characteristic associated with males.
Mode 4: Film: A short documentary on masculinity conveyed in Disney films.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CWMCt35oFYAnalysis:
Young boys and girls are influenced by the media at a very young age. One of the most influential film companies is Disney, which helps to mold the young minds of todays youth. Movies have an impact on the way the children in our culture think and act, by filling their heads with certain images and creating certain environments. These images and environments, overtime influence the way we view the world and certain topics such as masculinity. Disney films convey three different images about masculinity, these images are sexism, strength, and dominance. Sexism is shown with the objectification of woman, the message being shown to boys is that they should view woman as objects of pleasure or servants to please them. This is true for the film Aladin, Beauty and the Beast, and the Little Mermaid. Disney movies also convey the message that the ideal man is based on his strength. Disney movies glorify one body type, above all others, the chiseled muscular man. Other body types are usually portrayed as weaker characters, who are submissive to the will of the more masculine male. This is shown in the films Hercules, and beauty and the beast to name a few. In the movie Mulan, she learns very quickly that masculinity is defined by strength and physical prowess.
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