Masculinity and Femininity for Communications- myassignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about theMasculinity and Femininity for Theatre Communications. Answer: Women have served all these centuries as looking glasses possessing the magic and delicious power of reflecting the figure of man at twice its natural size. The above quoted lines of the famous author Virginia Woolf from her work A Room of One's Own provides a pertinent account of the nature of gender politics in the society. It is significant to note that the since the traditional times the society of the human beings have been dominated by the concepts of masculinity as well as the domination of this particular gender over the other one. However, in the present times a change in the nature of this particular status quo has been seen with the rise of various diverse views and theories. This paper will focus on the concepts of hegemonic masculinity and emphasized femininity and the relationship between these two concepts. Hegemonic masculinity can be defined as the form of masculinity which establishes the idea is that any individual who doesnt align with the notions of masculinity is inferior. In other words, it can be said that this particular concept of masculinity considers the men to be exclusive as well as hierarchicallysuperior in comparison to the female gender. The concept of emphasized femininity, on the other hand, can be defined as the concept which considers that the ultimate reason for a womans survival is to provide man with sexual validation, carry his babies and serve his household. Therefore, it can be said that according to this particular concept the primary reason for the existence of the female gender is to cater to the needs and the requirements of the male gender. It is significant to note that the various theories of Michael Foucault have been interpreted in the present times on the basis of this particular concept. Therefore, the various theorists in the present times have pr opounded theories to repudiate this particular concept. The opinion of Judith Butler is significant to note in this particular context when she says that gender is just a social construct which is used by the society to maintain the power within it. It is significant to note that in addition to her various other feminists have repudiated this particular concept. The modern society and the views of the individuals have undergone much transformation in the recent times from the ancient times. Yet there are several instances where the practices of the concepts of hegemonic masculinity and emphasized femininity are observed. The famous novel Orlando of Virginia Woolf gives a pertinent account of this particular concept when she writes As long as she thinks of a man, nobody objects to a woman thinking (Woolf Chekhov 2013). Another example of this particular concept is the novel Gaudy Night of Dorothy L. Sayers where she says The rule seemed to be that a great woman must either die unwed ... or find a still greater man to marry her. ... The great man, on the other hand, could marry where he liked, not being restricted to great women (Sayers Bray 2012). Therefore, it becomes apparent that the concepts of hegemonic masculinity and emphasized femininity find adequate expression in the various forms of Literature. In everyday life as well the use of the concepts of hegemonic masculinity and emphasized femininity can be seen. For example, most of the men even in the present time feel that the sole role of the female gender is to serve the men gender and therefore, treat them as the as the mere objects of sex and reproduction. It is sad to note that even in the present century there are instances of hegemonic masculinity and emphasized femininity in practice. I would like to comment here I personally believe these concepts are very demining and insulting to the female gender. I would like to comment here that in the present times the women are the weaker sex and they have made significant contribution towards the society and the world. To conclude, it can be said that although the concepts of hegemonic masculinity and emphasized femininity are no longer in practice in the present yet the women folks are judged on the same parameter. Furthermore, it is significant to note that the concepts of hegemonic masculinity and emphasized femininity have been used since the ancient times to subvert the female gender. Therefore, there is a need of change within the social framework which will not bring about a change in the social framework but will also change the mindset of the people at large. References Sayers, D. L., Bray, S. (2012).Gaudy night. Presses Univ. Septentrion. Woolf, V., Chekhov, A. (2013).Chekhov's Three Sisters and Woolf's Orlando: Two Renderings for the Stage. Theatre Communications Group.