Masculinity In The Killer

Although Lee did not go to school, Bruce Cutter is like a teacher to him as Lee matures, Bruce teaches him pacification, and responsibility. Bruce teaches Lee that not all problems are solved by fighting, and fighting is not the only option. This is proven when Bruce questions Lee, “You must have been in a fight… you know, there are other ways to solve problems. Have you thought about why you choose violence?”

The Man I Killed is the story of the man that Tim O’Brien killed. However, this story is not true. He later mentions that he did not in fact kill the man, yet he was present and that was enough. This story, according to him, is told to show the reader how he feels, because O’Brien feels as though the truth is that by doing nothing, he killed the man, so in his story, he does kill the man. Imagery is the biggest literary device seen in this story, but diction also helps make the story seem more true, it helps the reader to truly believe that O’Brien did in fact throw the grenade that killed the man. This story is told from O’Brien’s point of view, which would be first person, despite the fact that the word “I” is

Matthew Jones declares that black masculinity is defined in three overarching categories: perception, expectation, and representation (Jones). The stories, Fences, by August Wilson and A Lesson Before Dying, by Ernest Gains, the main characters are forced to live with many hardships. Yet only a few of them can declare value of their lives, and redeem themselves, despite these hardships. The stories both of the main characters are unhappy angry men the only difference is that one of the characters progressed while the other stays the same. This paper will compare and contrast them both.

After he shot the grandmother, Bobby Lee – one of the two men he came with – said “Some fun!” then the Misfit replied, “Shut up, Bobby Lee, It’s no real pleasure in life” (439). If he was a psychopath, he wouldn’t have these aftermath feelings of guilt. The misfit knows that he is no good man. When the grandmother said “I know you’re a good man, you’re not a bit common,” he replies “Nome, I ain't a good man, but I ain't the worst in the world neither” (439). He acknowledges that what he’s doing is wrong, but he knows a better version of himself, maybe in the past when his life wasn’t so bad. A real psychopath wouldn’t feel any guilt or recognize what he’s doing is immoral. After the grandmother recognized the Misfit, she asked him “you wouldn’t shoot a lady, would you?” He replied: “I would hate to have to” (436). This is another reason to why he isn’t a psychopath after all. Once again, he shows that he doesn’t want to shoot the “lady,” or anyone really. From his perspective as a prison escapee, he couldn’t let the family go when they know exactly who he is, where he is, and who he’s with. He made a tough decision that no sane man should ever have to

Chinese constructions of Masculinity have been redefined accordingly to the political events. The concept of ‘wen-wu’, currently serves as an overarching pillar of what is currently expected of men in Modern China. By placing less emphasis on the ‘Wu’ and more on the ‘Wen’ we can see these concepts incorporated and adapted to the modern perception of masculinity through the leadership and teachings of Mao Ze Dong, during the Cultural Revolution. At the same time, more popular representation of Chinese masculinity, accommodating the lens of westerners, is the ability to excel in martial arts which is popularly portrayed by Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee. The roles they play, interrelates by exceling both in the physical aspect, ‘wu’ and their philosophical intellect of ‘wen’. Since the cultural revolution, China places emphasis on the ‘Wen’, immediately becoming the ideal construction of men, as they are more aware of their values and how they are presented to the world. Unlike Ancient China, where the ideal man was a warrior, Chinese entrepreneurs, male of high intellect who is conscious of the Chinese way of living and has strong desire to lead the world’s economy, serves as the modern definition of masculinity. Despite this expectation, although China continues to grow their military and economic power, the

One of the ways Lee shows that people are essentially good is through the people

Woo gives us a new kind of male protagonist, one that "combines physical violence and emotional intensity" (Hanke 1999: 39), visible from the start of The Killer. Jeff is introduced to us as cool and calm, casually shooting a room full of people. This expressionless killing is contrasted with the following scene which shows his wounds being tended to in a close up of his face that displays that pain and emotion that he is feeling. This opposition between violence and sensitivity is clearly demonstrated by the characters of Caster Troy and Sean Archer in Face/Off when they swap faces, and they must appropriate the characteristics of the other in order to survive, "the binary logic of either violent or emotionally sensitive is dissolved into both violent and sensitive" (Hanke 1999: 53). Similarly in The Killer, Li is a mirror image for Jeff, the only difference being a badge. Woo's films are based on these oppositions, particlularly good/evil, which is visible in the images he uses at the end of both films, the shootouts taking place in a church with slow motion action. On a wider scale he tries to reconcile the gap between past and present, trying to get back what is lost.

In his novel, Slaughterhouse Five, Kurt Vonnegut describes the experiences of Billy Pilgrim, the protagonist, during his time in World War II. Through illustrating Billy Pilgrim’s constant struggle to fit in with his peers during the war, Vonnegut proposes the question—Must males adopt masculine characteristics in order to receive respect from others? By juxtaposing the negative criticisms towards the young, effeminate Billy Pilgrim during his youth with the positive responses received by both the manly, adult Billy Pilgrim and the masculine soldiers, Vonnegut asserts that a man’s masculinity determines his societal ranking and acquisition of respect. Through relaying the experience of a youthful Billy Pilgrim who was often criticized by

In the story, The Sniper, written by O’Flaherty, the character shows a common human trait,Self- righteousness because of how much he is dedicated to his cause. Very quickly in the plot you realize the character’s obsession to his movement is so strong that he murders a man and a woman with no remorse. As it says in the story “The sniper raised his rifle and fired. The head fell heavily on the turret wall.

Defining Masculinity is what this essay is about. In society, masculinity means being brave, strong, dominant, have a higher power, which is what what most men are expected to have. Most men are raised a certain way, completely different than how girls are raised. Men are brought up to be brave, to be strong, to be hard workers, to “be a man.” and take whatever is getting thrown at them.

(O'Flaherty, The Sniper) Even before the sniper knew that his assailant doubled as his brother the fact that he had killed someone had him feeling guilty leading the readers to understand that his guilt was tremendously intensified once the delayed information was disclosed. There is no doubt that the protagonist felt a great deal of regret and would go back and change his goal in the situation. “ He took steady aim. His hand trembled with eagerness.

In this poem, ‘The Man He Killed’, the poet Thomas Hardy explores a complex theme, which is war, using the simplest language. Throughout this essay I will be discussing the thoughts and opinions Hardy has on war.

Another reason why Spike Lee makes a good anthropologist is that perhaps why Lee made everyone just as guilty and just as

Being a male in today’s society is not about living and enjoyment, it has become more of a task. Social pressures and media have made it difficult for males to live a life in which they are not being pressured to act or perform a certain way. In order to reassure themselves of their masculinity, violence has become the main method in assuring themselves and those around them that they are powerful. Not only is this violence being perpetrated against others, but self-inflicted violence also exists. The violence being used is not only physical but it is emotional abuse as well. Masculinity has forced many males to perform in ways that are detrimental to their own health as well as their loved ones. Furthermore, it has also put males in the

     Hemingway's "The Killers" illustrates that unexplained violence is an integrated part of society.  To acknowledge the cruelties of life is to come to terms with horrifying events that can not be denied.  A person may lack the maturity to cope with everyday life if they do not realize that evil can exist in any given society.