Countless scholarship has been written during the past forty years about the changing images of women throughout history. This research has been inspired by the woman’s liberation movement and the ever-changing roles of women in the family, workforce and political landscape. Less research has been conducted on the evolving images and ideals of masculinity in modern times. Not all images of masculinity are equal. Race, age and sexuality are variables affecting whether or not a man fits into the hegemonic-cultural ideal. Drawing upon the work of Harry Brod, Michael Kaufman, Dana Mihailescu, Anthony Rotundo, Sander Gilman and Eric Goldstein this paper will examine various images of masculinity created by author Philip Roth. By applying masculinities theories, as well as theories of otherness, to the fiction of Philip Roth it will be possible to observe patterns in Roth’s father/son and man/woman relationships in his novels. This research demonstrates that Roth utilizes evolving images of masculinity in order to address issues of the Jewish otherness and assimilation in his work. This project drew upon readings and research taken from three MALS graduate courses: Family in American Literature, Modern Jewish History and an Independent Study (which focused on the work of Saul Bellow and Philip Roth).
Subject (authority = RUETD)
Topic
Liberal Studies
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Rutgers University Electronic Theses and Dissertations
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