ABSTRACT

What is masculinity? Drawing on psychoanalysis and an understanding of ideology, Easthope shows how the masculine myth forces men to try to be masculine and only masculine, denying their feminine side. In an original contribution to the understanding of gender, he analyzes masculinity as it is represented in a wide range of mass media --films, television, newspapers, pop music, and pop novels. Why are two men in a John Wayne western more concerned with each other than with the women in their lives? Is aggressive male banter a sign that men hate or love each other? Why does a jealous man always have to see his rival? Written in lively, witty, and accessible style, What a Man's Gotta Do is certain to become controversial but essential reading.

chapter |7 pages

Introduction

part 1|24 pages

Basic Masculinity

chapter 1|6 pages

The Mysterious Phallus

chapter 2|10 pages

Fathers and Sons

chapter 3|6 pages

Boys Will Be Boys

part 2|26 pages

The Masculine Ego

chapter 4|10 pages

The Castle of the Self

chapter 5|5 pages

Man and Nature

chapter 6|5 pages

The Male Body

chapter 7|4 pages

Man and Nation

part 3|41 pages

Masculinity in Action

chapter 8|8 pages

Men at War

chapter 9|5 pages

Play the Game

chapter 10|4 pages

The Magic Keg of Beer

chapter 11|8 pages

Masculine Style (1): Clarity

chapter 12|7 pages

Masculine Style (2): Banter

chapter 13|7 pages

Masculine Style (3): Obscenity

part 4|11 pages

The Same Sex

chapter 14|9 pages

Masculine or Homosexual

part 5|61 pages

Masculine/Feminine

chapter 15|8 pages

Exchanging Women (1): Marriage

chapter 16|5 pages

Exchanging Women (2): Jokes

chapter 17|6 pages

The Madonna and the Whore

chapter 18|8 pages

The Idea of the Woman

chapter 19|9 pages

Being in Love

chapter 20|5 pages

Fame, Wealth, and the Love of Women

chapter 21|5 pages

Jealousy

chapter 22|5 pages

Good Object/Bad Object

chapter 23|8 pages

The Masculine Myth