The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao - Essay Example

Module Module ID: The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao The present research aims to explorethe concept of masculinity prevalent in the culture of Dominican Republic and few other societies of the world in the light of the work “The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao” created by contemporary era Dominican novelist Junot Díaz (2007). The study will concentrate upon the protagonist Oscar and narrator Yunior by making a comparative analysis of both the characters in the light of the notion masculinity and the concepts has been associated with it in different societies of the world. Diaz, through his work maintains that despite the fact that masculinity is frequently viewed to be reflection of aggressive behaviour, flirting and excessive extra-marital sexual relationships and antagonism, it is not actually the case. Hence, the work indirectly refuses the traditional misconception attributed to masculinity, as such a conventional delusion is not supported and projected by the individuals having their belief in observing the noble principles including compassion, equality, social justice and freedom of thought and action. Traditional Concept of Masculinity: The term masculinity simply refers to the individuals belonging to male gender of society, though it has widely been considered to be the symbol of dominance, strength, potentiality, power and aggression (Connell 2). The concept of dominance is attributed to role theory, which maintains that since tasks performed by the male members are tough and hard in nature that require physical strength and vigour, male look for enjoying the dominant status by having supremacy over women (Stets & Burke 2). Hence, gender serves as one of the most prominent features of social stratification (Kerbo 498-99). Masculinity not only reflects several physical differences between men and women, but also marks certain supremacy of men over women with regards to strength (Stets & Burke 3). In addition, masculinity and femininity also refer to the stereotype roles and duties performed by men and women respectively at domestic and societal levels (Stets & Burke 3). Male dominance is not the case with only one social establishment only; rather, it is a universally admitted argument that males are, and even should be, the embodiment of physical strength and aggressiveness, due to the very fact that they are responsible for providing shelter and protection to the female members and children of their family, tribe, group, community and nation at large (Burn & Ward 2-3). Therefore, the ideal and heroic men are aptly portrayed as courageous warriors, muscular fighters, and sturdy valiant in myths, stories, movies, epics, paintings and folklores; where the Greek gods, Spartan commanders and soldiers look playing heroic roles for some great cause by standing firm and resolute in the face of hardships and severities (Zaidi 2013). Besides the concept also seeks its roots in the primitive era civilisations, during which the humans had to combat with beasts, natural calamities, intense weather conditions and outstanding hard times while their residing in caves amidst the fierce beasts under an extremely uneven circumstances (Durkheim 33). Demonstration of such masculine features has also been discussed in the ancient Greek, Roman and Biblical mythologies (Dörschel 17). Besides, since there had not been established any adequate ways of obtaining food and earning something to lead a protected and prosperous life, the women, elderly and children had been completely reliant upon young men of their family and clan for their safety and satisfying their hunger and other basic desires including shelter and protection (Kroeber 28). In addition, the clans and tribes during Palaeolithic and Neolithic eras also used to indulge into conflict, clashes and bloodshed, where men used to be responsible for assuring the safety of life, honour and belongings of their women. In case, a tribe or city had fallen into the hands of enemy group, the victorious used to plunder the vanquished community, massacred the men, and enslaved and raped the women and children out of sheer revenge and hatred for the vanquished (Zaidi 2009). The same tradition remained valid and intact for the last several centuries, where the victorious were always expected to molest and dishonour the women in the wake of killing of the male members of their family and community. Ancient, medieval, modern and even contemporary era historical records are replete with countless examples of the ruthless demonstration of brutality at the hands of the males from opponent camp on the females of the weaker and vanquished factions and parties, which later adopted the form of an essential feature of masculinity, which is practiced at domestic, social, national and international scales (Dörschel 31). Similarly, masculinity is not thought to be confined to aggressive behaviour or maltreatment of others; on the contrary, it is also viewed to be the sign of displaying power and authority. As a result, the duties and obligations to be performed by males are divided on the basis of gender segregation in almost all parts of the world (Kerbo 502). In other terms, men should look vigorous, sturdy and muscular in appearance; while they should get involved into sports and outdoor games, and other athletic and vigorous activities expected from them as male members of society (Stets & Burke 5). While associating the stereotype concepts of masculinity on the characters of the work under analysis, it becomes evident that Díaz (129-30) has portrayed a magnificent picture of the traits prevailing in Dominican culture in his wonderful under-examination work. On the one side, he has pointed out towards the grossly accepted norms followed by the large majority of the Dominican population; and on the other side, he has drawn attention of his readers towards the attitude of the masses towards the persons appear to be behaving in somewhat different manner from the mainstream population without violating the laws or causing any harm to others altogether (147). Thus, the author has successfully conveyed the message that the exceptional and outstanding individuals leading a peaceful life without getting involved into useless pursuits attributed to mainstream population tend to become the target of taunting and ridicule of the entire population. It is particularly the case with the masses belonging to the third world societies, where individuals appear to be more concerned with the life of others rather than keep on focusing on their personal thoughts, priorities and activities in general (152). The author has drawn the sketch of a purportedly weird personality in his under-analysis work, qualities of which are frequently stated to be attributed to a nerd, geek or stupid fellow (131). The character is none other than the protagonist-character Oscar, who has the personality traits that look contrary to the ones adopted by adolescent and adult males. One of the most prominent of his personality traits obviously includes his appearance, where he has been portrayed as a bulky boy having dark complexion and weight almost 245 pounds (130). Hence, contrary to the usual image of young Dominican males, Oscar looks undergoing high level of obesity, which would create impediments on the way of participating in athletics on the one side, and his capturing the consideration of girls as his friends and lovers on the other. Actually, it is an admitted reality that a large majority of the adolescent and teen-ager boys love to play sports and maintain their weight and fitness; as a result, the girls of the similar age group also look interested in slim, smart and athletic boys to be their lovers and partners. The convention is not confined to one particular geographical zone or region only; on the contrary, the similar conventions are imitated and preferred by the girls belonging to pole-apart areas of the world (Burn & Ward 4). In addition, the electronic and social media have also added their share in popularising the stereotype concepts of heroes and heroines, where contemporary era male lovers are expected to be tough and athletic in appearance and having plenty of muscles on their bodies. However, being a non-athletic overweight boy, Oscar looks somewhat opposite to the physical features globally admired by the girls in their boyfriends and lovers (134). On the other hand, image and personality of the narrator Yunior seems to be more attractive and fascinating for the feminine folk belonging to the Dominican society, because of his being far more muscular and manly in comparison with Oscar. Being the part of majority Dominican population, and follower of life patterns adopted by the general public, Yunior has adapted himself according to the existing social norms. Not only this that he is tall, muscular and active young boy, but also comprehends with the requirements of his social establishment (169). Consequently, Yunior has developed illicit sexual relations with several girls including Oscar’s sister Lola. Somehow, Yunior has not committed the mistake made by Oscar by developing relationship with two girls simultaneously, who not only had acquaintance with each other, but also belonged to one and the same environment (135). Consequently, having friendship with Maritza Chacón and Olga Polanco in the same time caused bitterness between the two girls, and Oscar had to deprive of Olga’s friendship. So, it becomes evident that like all young males of his society, Oscar also took keen interest in making association with the members of opposite gender during his early school years. Somehow, his pathetic physical condition due to obesity kept the girls away from him during the later years of his life. Hence, the protagonist never attempted to escape the girls of avoiding opposite gender as per the norm has been in vogue in all parts of the world. Somehow, his lack of involvement into sexual affairs with girls proves him as a sublime character, who should be admired instead of making fun of him by declaring him to be nerd. While discussing the liking, disliking and aptitude of both protagonist and narrator, it becomes evident that the former has been portrayed as the fond of comic books and science fiction, where his ears are not interested in listening to the music nor does his heart love to spend time in playground while playing physical supports and games along with other boys of his age-group (149). Despite the very reality that Oscar’s developing taste for science books and literature could not be stated to be contrary to the ethical principles, social norms, cultural values or prevailing mores; nevertheless, young men in Dominican culture are considered to be having more inclinations towards physical games and exertions rather than confining their activities to books and literature only. Here one imperative notion must not be overlooked that the big brains, intellectuals, scientists and philosophers are viewed to be paying more heed to reading materials, research works and studies rather than wasting their precious time and energies in useless pursuits including making attempts of wooing and impressing the members of opposite gender, spending all time in sports and wandering here and there in the companies of friends and lovers. Thus, the love for reading and escaping useless activities performed by most of the youngsters makes Oscar a boy with distinguished aptitude and tendencies. Somehow, researches also prove that the boys having aptitude for athletics have higher level of male testosterone that is certainly essential for the better sexual performances made by men. In simple terms, researches reveal that the overweight, lazy and sluggish males contain lesser amount of male hormones. It is partly because of the truth that physical exercises and athletics are certain to improve and enhance male hormones and characteristics (Slowinska-Lisowska et al. 757-8); while the men having developed no habit of taking regular exercises may undergo low testosterone quantity, which may decrease their interest and passion for the members of opposite gender subsequently (Slowinska-Lisowska et al. 759). Same could be the case with Oscar, where his keeping away from sports may have decreased his sexual inclinations as well. Similarly, Oscar’s confining his activities to comic books and science would have dragged him away from the world of bitter realities, where there exists deceit and betrayal and crookedness and lustful desires existing within the sociocultural and physical phenomena of humans. It so happens that the individuals confining themselves to books and literature are frequently censured by the rest of society due to their having little knowledge of the realities of life as well as the clever tactics and hypocrisy maintained by the public at large during entering into interaction with others. As a result, they look helpless in comprehending with the challenges surmounting the pure life of these innocent persons. Blake in his “Songs of Innocence and Experience” (1757/2001) has compared the children and innocent people with the artless, simple and harmless lambs, which are not wise enough to smell the rat and understand the conspiracies designed by the shrewd and cunning people. The same is equally applied to Oscar, who turned out to be unable to impress the girls on the one side, and incapable of detecting the nature of sexual relationship between his roommate Yunior and his own sister Lola. On the contrary, Yunior is a sharp and intelligent young boy, having clever insight and deep observation of the entire scenario existing all around him. At times, he also appears as omniscient by having all information about the past and all events came in the life of Oscar, Lola and their mother Hypatía Belicia Cabral, shortly called Beli. Moreover, Yunior looks discussing Oscar’s family in far more details in his narrations rather talking about himself and his family setup and background. Such a worthy tact demonstrates his mysterious nature, where he would not reveal everything about the drawbacks and weaknesses of him and his family. In addition, contrary to the protagonist, the narrator does not fall in love with girls; rather, he just develops temporary sexual affairs with them in the name of love, and thus exploits the female partners as per the tradition aptly associated with masculinity in several societies of the world (Burn & Ward 6). Lola has also admitted the truth that young girls in Santo Domingo also look for friendship and sex with boys, and hence active, playful, athletic and jolly boys capture the attention of the girls; and it was the passion, which would never fade away. Furthermore, unlike Oscar, Yunior also has developed friendship with many boys of his age; while the protagonist appears to be relying upon Yunior only by considering him to be his best friend (179). However, having friendship with the coeval members of one’s gender serves as a positive indicator of masculinity, to which Oscar appears to be certainly deprived of (148). It partly proves Oscar’s inability to display normal manly behaviour expected from boys and men in Dominican Republic as well as the rest of world. Oscar’s studying comic books cannot be stated to be a significant flaw in his personality. Somehow, his remaining deeply involved into comics and science fictions demonstrates his impracticability attributed to the active and normal individuals of society. Despite the reality that men seem to be less efficient in friendships because of being emotionally lesser expressive in comparison with women, men spend more time with the people of their sex at professional and recreational scales (Burn & Ward 1-2). Similarly, males generally enter into interaction with other males during business deals, routine shopping and transactions, though they do not share their inner feelings with others in the manner attributed to females (Robertson 4). Somehow, Oscar looks sharing everything about his personality and domestic activities with Yunior, which also puts a question mark on his normal masculinity (186). To conclude, it becomes crystal clear that the work under-investigation revolves around two main characters including Oscar and Yunior, where the author has depicted the sharply contrasting features in both the protagonist and narrator of the novel. Although the author has indirectly criticised the sluggishness, obesity, simplicity, being extraordinarily expressive and childish behaviour adopted by Oscar; however, his being simple, straightforward, and lover of science books and literature serve as the distinguished features that are worthy of appreciation. Similarly, his refraining from illicit sexual relations with women and observing chastity and humility do not come under the definition of nerd or geek altogether, though some members of society traditionally favour the males’ getting indulged into sexual affairs as the token of masculinity. On the other hand, Yunior’s being womaniser, shrewd and selfish are not the sublime characteristics on which one should be proud of. Rather, deceiving others in the name of friendship, love or companionship bonds certainly come under the definition of undesirable and offensive behaviours actually. In the same way, being a rapist, aggressive or masochist serves as an abnormal behaviour, which does not have any admiration in the polite, humane and sophisticated altogether. Therefore, the most sacred personalities and spiritual literatures lay stress upon kindness, integrity, generosity and chastity rather than committing violence, debauchery and deceiving upon the fellow humans in the name of masculinity or domination. Works Cited Blake, William. “Songs of Innocence and Experience.” DjVu Editions E-books, Global Language Resources Inc. 2001 6-43. Web. http://triggs.djvu.org/djvu-editions.com/BLAKE/SONGS/Download.pdf Burn, Shawn Meghan. & Ward, A. Zachary. “Men’s Conformity to Traditional Masculinity and Relationship Satisfaction.” California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. 2008 1-9. Web. http://www.psychologytoday.com/files/attachments/124123/mens-conformity-traditional-masculinity-and-relationship-sati.pdf Connell, Raewyn. “Masculinities.” Web. http://www.raewynconnell.net/p/masculinities_20.html Díaz, Junot. The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao. New York: Riverhead Books, 2007. Print. Dörschel, Funda Başak. ““Female Identity”: Rewritings Of Greek And Biblical Myths by Contemporary Women Writers.” A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate School of Social Sciences of Middle East Technical University. April 2011 4-300. Web. http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/12613185/index.pdf Durkheim, Emile. The Elementary Forms of the Religious Life. London: Allen & Unwin, 1912. Print. Jay, Paul. “Junot Diaz Redefines Macho: An interview with the author of the Pulitzer Prize winning novel, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao.” In These Times Magazine, Article 3616 April 14, 2008. Web. Kakutani, Michiko. “Travails of an Outcast.” The New York Times. September 04, 2007. Web. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/04/books/04diaz.html?ref=books&_r=0 Kerbo, Harold R. Social Stratification and Inequality. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2011. Print. Robertson, Steve. “Theories of Masculinities and Men’s Health-Seeking Practices.” Nowhere Man Press 2009 1-12. Web. http://man-ni.org/resources/stevespeech.pdf Slowinska-Lisowska, M., Jozkow, P., & Medras, M. “Associations between Physical Activity and the Androgenic/Estrogenic Status of Men.” Physiol. Res. 59, 2010 757-763. Web. http://www.biomed.cas.cz/physiolres/pdf/59/59_757.pdf Stets, Jan E. & Burke, Peter J. “Femininity/Masculinity.” Department of Sociology, Washington State University in Edgar F. Borgatta and Rhonda J. V. Montgomery (Eds.), Encyclopaedia of Sociology, Revised Edition. New York: Macmillan.1998 997-1005. Web. http://wat2146.ucr.edu/Papers/00b.pdf Zaidi, Mujtaba Haider. “Perpetual Separation between Dogmatism and State.” The Frontier Post Daily Newspaper December 01, 2013. Web. http://www.thefrontierpost.com/article/58553/Perpetual-separation-between-Dogmatism-and-State/#.UprCW04m8k4 Zaidi, Mujtaba Haider. “Vae Victis.” The Frontier Post Daily Newspaper March 20, 2009. http://cdn2.overstock.com/Brief_Wondrous_Life_Chap1.pdf Read More