MASCULINITY IN HANYA YANAGIHARA’S A LITTLE LIFE AND HELON HABILA’S

MEASURING TIME

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

Masculinity is derived from a Latin word Masculinus which means virility and is associated with

manhood; male strength or power. Masculinity is the study of men’s lives and their experience. It refers to

the roles, behaviours and attributes considered appropriate for men in a society. Masculinity is defined as

the characteristics of being masculine, it can be defined as covering the qualities that are attributed to a

men which are courage, bravery, economic independence and soon. Traits associated with the male

include physical prowess (strength, fitness, hard work), dominance, independence, rationality, sexual

aggressiveness, ambitiousness, assertiveness, honourable or righteous behaviour, courage, intelligence,

competence, analytic abilities, competitiveness, insensitivity and attractiveness (usually viewed from

point of view of achievements) (Tobalase, 2014). Abrams (2009) asserts that the masculine has come to

be widely identified as active, dominating, adventurous, rational and creative. Webster Dictionary states

that the word “masculinity” refers to the characteristics of being masculine, manly, male stereotypes.

According to Miescher and Linsday (2003:4), as quoted by Jegede (2013), the term masculinity refers to a

cluster of norms, values and behavioural patterns expressing implicit expectations of how men should act

and represent themselves to others. Masculinity examines the enactment of men’s manhood and centres

on the understanding of men’s lives and experiences as gendered beings. It is associated with manliness

suggesting essential differences that make a man different from a woman, especially from the biological

configuration of the sexes (Kaufman 1994: 14).

Masculinity attempts to study and understands men’s lives. Masculinity captures men’s lives and

experience in a particular society. In a particular society, means there are different factors that

differentiate a man in a given society to the other. Culture, religion, belief systems, environmental
realities, historical experience, ethnicity, races et cetera are factors that is used to different and categories

man in the masculinity hierarchy. For example what is expected from a Yoruba man is different from

what is expected from a Hausa man, what is expected from a white man is different from what is expected

from a black man and this could from time to time. Historical, political and social experience makes

culture dynamic and this can affect the society view of masculinity.

Masculinity is socially constructed and not biological. A male child born here in Nigeria is the

same with the one born in Korea because they possess the same physical characteristics. The society is

the one that differentiate from one another, it is the society that assigned expected roles, activities and

responsibility to them and when a man fails to meet up with all this or processes characteristics such as

weakness, dependence, expression of emotion especially through tears, submissive and so on, he is tagged

as a failed man. There are various types of masculinity

Masculinity as a construct

It is a myth that is a common belief that masculinity is biological, that men possess masculine

features and qualities as a result of them being born as a male. Thus, if we believe this it means that all

men are aggressive, domineering, violent, short or hot tempered and none of them can be different as they

have the same biological makeup. But, we do have men that do not have all these traits. Also, why is a

man who is domineering and violent towards his wife and kids is so timid, fearful and submissive towards

his boss. This shows that men depict typical masculine behaviour when they are in a position of power

and influence and switch to the feminine trait when they are in a dependent situation or position. This

proves that masculinity is not biological constructs but is governed by hierarchy and power dynamics

which shows that masculinity is socially oriented.

Forms of Masculinity

Raewyn Connell (1995) discusses the following forms of masculinities

 Hegemonic masculinity is a form of masculinity that is dominant and expresses a successful strategy

for domination of women and men. Connell refers to this type of masculinity as a culturally authoritative

form that supports the dominance of men and total subordination of women. It is also constructed in

relation to other forms of masculinities that are affected by race, class, sexuality, etc. Although this form

of masculinity is the dominant form, only few men can actually meet up to the standards which result to

the emergence of other forms of masculinities. Subordinated masculinity are gender relations of

subordination and dominance among group of men which means that some men are inferior to the other

men for example heterosexual men or boys that are seen to portray female trait are subject of ridicule

when abused as mama’s boy, sissy, nerd, etc. heterosexual men are not the only subordinated masculinity,

but also homosexual masculinity. Gay men are subordinated to straight men, gay men face cultural and at

time economic exclusion and are target of discrimination and violence. Such oppression makes gay men

the lowest in the masculinity hierarchy.

Complicity masculinity is a form of masculinity in which men that fall under it do not exercise

hegemonic masculinity but benefits from it. The numbers of men who practice hegemonic pattern are

small but majority of men benefit and gain from it; they are not forefront of hegemonic masculinity but

they get advantage of it indirectly. Marginalized masculinity is a form of masculinity that is the

interaction of gender with other structures such as class, race, that create further hierarchical relationships

amongst masculinity. It is the relational situation between the masculinities in subordinated and dominant

classes, races, castes or ethnic groups. For example during the colonial era in Europe and even Africa the

blacks are under marginalized masculinity because of their race.

Jegede (2018) discusses the following forms of masculinities

Hegemonic masculinity is the highest form of masculinity in hierarchy and is been define by

boldness, physical strength, heterosexuality, economic independence, authority over men and women.

Hegemonic masculinity is featured by patriarchy in gender discourse; it implies that any men that belongs
to this form of masculinity commands power over women, children and lesser men in the society

(Haywood and ghail (2003:153). consider hegemonic masculinity as “an ascendant masculinity in a

particular time and space”. The word "ascendant" implies superior, control and dominance in the

masculinity hierarchy. Men that fall under hegemonic masculinity are men that possess power, wealth

influence in the society, and apart from the control over women in the patriarchal society they also

command all men that fall under them in the hierarchy. Normative masculinity is men that are belief to be

normal according to the name, normative is coined from “norm” which means that they are normal man.

Normative masculinity men who are successful, intelligent, rational, heterosexual, emotionally stable,

educated, have good jobs, own homes, proud and are bread winners. They are not as powerful like the

hegemonic masculinity but are men who are said to have fulfil the responsibility assign to them by the

society. Subordinated masculinity is the lowest in masculinity hierarchy. It is defined by other

masculinities that exclude men from the general and homogenous definition of what it takes to be a

complete man. (Kimmel & Messner, 1995). They are men that fail to meet up with the role and

responsibility assign to them by their society. They are tagged as been unworthy, incomplete, and inferior

and posses women character that differentiate them from real men.

Hyper masculinity is men that posses all the characteristics of hegemonic masculinity but are

extremist. This form of men are said to have the male ego which becomes their flaws and leads to their

downfall. They are type of men that beats treat women badly and oppress them because of the patriarchal

system. Hyper-masculinity enactment has its roots in patriarchy, masculinity mystique and gender role

schemas which combine to project the man as superior to the woman (Jegede, 2018). Hypo masculinity

are men that are weak, dependent on others, lazy, sterile and cannot fend for their family, they are similar

to subordinated masculinity since they carry their features. According to Jegede (2018), complicit

masculinity is a form of masculinity that makes no sacrifice to the masculine social group but benefits

from the privileges it confers on men. They are aware of this influence and do not challenge it but takes
full advantage of the benefits it gives to men. Jegede develops a diagram to show the masculinity

hierarchy and also explain that men could change from any of these forms since it is societal oriented.

Masculinity hierarchy

Hegemonic masculinity

Normative masculinity

Hyper masculinity

Subordinated

Hypo masculinity

Model designed by Jegede 2018.

There is no way we would talk about masculinity that we wouldn’t take about the notion of

emasculation. Emasculation is a condition in which a man is deprives of his right and virility: manhood,

manliness. It is a form of weakness in which the power and control of being a man is absent, causing the

man to feel castrated. Emasculation also results from oppression either by female or male that leads to

psychological pain and trauma. Male emasculation implies a social condition that is created to make a

man less masculine psychologically, materially, culturally and in terms of social responsibilities (Kimmel,

2005). James and Nadeau (1999:98) define emasculation as “the fear of losing masculine status and

power in the eyes of others”. According to them, emasculation is one of the fears associated with gender-

role schemas which can be experienced consciously and unconsciously and the capacity to “play a

significant role in males’ interpersonal relationships with both men and women”. James and Nadeau

(1999) posit that: One of men’s greatest fears is to be emasculated. To be emasculated means to be
deprived of virility or procreation powers; to be castrated; to be deprived of masculine energy, vigour, or

spirit; to be weakened; to be unnerved by others in terms of your masculine gender-role identity. In short,

emasculation means losing one’s masculine identity and energy. Being emasculated is part of almost

every boy’s and man’s gender-role identity development. He may feel emasculated by devaluing

comments, failures, sexual dysfunctions, and perceived losses of control and power. Such men are seen in

their society as failures, useless and lazy. Emasculation has its types; they are biological, psychological

and socio-cultural.

Biological emasculation result from when a man is suffering from physical disability or inability to

reproduce. Psychological emasculation result from the negative comment that produces self esteem.

Physical disability is a major cause of emasculation as people with disabilities are perceived as weak,

dependent and pitiable. Socio-cultural Emasculation occurs when men are been deprive, constraint and

not privileged from the social and cultural norms of being a man. Socio-cultural emasculation also results

from economic deprivation, poverty, unemployment and the inability to perform the masculine roles.

Culture defines the masculinity of an individual man. For instance, what it takes to be a real man in Africa

(black) is different from what it takes to be real man in Europe (white). According to Kaufman (1995),

masculine norm has its own particular nuances and traits dependent on class, nation, race, religion, and

ethnicity.

Measuring Time by Helon Habila tells the story of the lives of twin boys, Mamo and LaMamo in the

Nigerian village of keti. Mamo, the older twin, suffers from sickle cell anaemia, is physically weak,

reserved and intellectual. LaMamo is strong, athletic and outgoing. The brothers dream of escaping from

their domineering father to lead adventurous lives. Their paths diverge after they run away from home to

become soldiers. Mamo is forced to return home because of his health emergence while LaMamo

continues his journey and becomes a mercenary, and eventually working with Medecins Sans Frontiers

(doctors without borders) before returning home. The rest of the story lies through the lives of these twin

brothers, their family and the people they interact with.

 A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara tells a story about four classmates from a small Massachusetts

college who move to New York to make their way; they are broke, adrift, and buoyed only by their

friendship and ambition. There is kind, handsome Willem, an aspiring actor; JB, a quick-witted,

sometimes cruel Brooklyn-born painted seeking entry to the art world; Malcolm, a frustrated architect at a

prominent firm; and withdrawn, brilliant, enigmatic Jude, who serves as the centre of the story. Over the

decades, their relationships deepen and darken, tinged by addiction, success and pride. Yet their greatest

challenge, each comes to realize, is Jude himself, by midlife a terrifyingly talented litigator yet an

increasingly broken man, his mind and body scarred by an unspeakable childhood, and haunted by what

he fears is a degree of trauma and he will not only be unable to overcome but that will define his life

forever.

1.1 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

There have been works on masculinity such as: Masculinity in Things Fall Apart by Samanhyia

2022. The portrayal of masculinity in to Catch a Prince by Ariani 2015. Revisiting masculinity and

othering in Diasporic fiction by Saxena and Sharma, 2022 using Buchi Emecheta’s Second Class Citizen

(1974) Joan Riley’s Waiting in the Twiglight (1987) and Hanif Kureishi’s The Budda of Suburia (1990).

The Edvinsson 2019 May the best win: non-stereotypical masculinity in the novel A Little Life using

Raewyn Connell’s masculinity theory. The theory is based on three aspect, but Edvinsson only

concentrate on the hegemonic concept while this research focuses on the three aspect of Raewyn

Connell’s theory which are psychoanalysis, using life history method which focus on the character’s

lives, struggle and experience, the hegemonic concept to study the non-hegemonic masculinity, and the

cathexis which is about their sexual lives. Work had been done on Measuring Time but the concept of

masculinity has not been reviewed.

1.2 AIM AND OBJECTIVES

 The aim of this project is to examine the literary representation of the male in Measuring Time by

Helon Habila and A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. The specific objectives are:

a. discuss masculinity in the novel looking at the character lives and experience;

b. analyze how the authors create characters using the actions and speeches and other indicators of

the male psychic and sensibilities in the novels and

c. discuss the notion of emasculation and its types using the characters in the novels.

1.3 RESEARCH QUESTION

The research attempt to discuss masculinity in Measuring Time by Helon Habila and A Little Life

by Hanya Yanagihara. As a result, these research questions guild this study:

a. how is masculinity portrayed in Measuring Time by Helon Habila and A Little Life by Hanya

Yanagihara?

b. what does it means to be called a failed man?

c. what does it mean to be a real man?

d. how true is the assertion that we live in a patriarchal society where men rules over everything?

e. are men not been oppressed or subjugated?

1.4 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study explores masculinity in Measuring Time by Helon Habila and A Little Life Hanya

Yanagihara. This study examines the characters lives and their experience from their childhood down to

their adulthood, discussing the concept of emasculation and its types using the characters in the novel.

This study is to help in understanding the men’s life and that there are various types of men and also to

reveal and gives oversight about men’s trauma and pains. It also helps in understanding how the society,

culture, religion, belief system, races and so on has sharpens a man.

1.5 SIGNIFINANCE OF THE STUDY

 Masculinity is the study of men’s lives and their experience. It comprises of the roles and

characteristics of men given to them by the society. The notion of emasculation means the condition

whereby a man is deprived of his rights. Emasculation also results from oppression men and women that

make men suffer and lose their power in front of others. This study illustrates masculinity in Measuring

Time by Helon Habila and A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara and how the characters are been portray

using masculinity and emasculation. This research work show us that though we live in a patriarchal

society, not all men rules and that some men are suffering in silence because voicing out will make them

a weak man. The roles and responsibility given to them by the society are making men to strive very hard

in other not to be tagged a failed man. The result of the research will be useful to student and future

researchers.

1.6 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This study uses primary and secondary sources of data. The primary sources comprise Measuring

Time and A Little Life. The texts are chosen because they have a distinctive representation of masculinity.

The secondary sources such as articles, journals, internet, and books are used as well. Masculinity theory

and the notion of emasculation are use to read the texts.

1.7 ABOUT THE AUTHORS

HELON HABILA

Helon Habila Ngalabak was born on November 1967 in kaltungo, Gombe state, Nigeria. He studied

English Language and Literature at the University of Jos and lectured for three years at the Federal

Polytechnic, Bauchi. In 1999 he went to Lagos to write for hints magazine, then to Vanguard newspaper

as literary Editor before moving in 2002 to England where he was a Chevening scholar at the University

of East Anglia, and now teaches creative writing at George Mason University, Washington, D.C. Helon

Habila is a Nigerian novelist and poet, whose writing has won many prizes, including the Caine prize in
2001. His second novel, Measuring Time, published in 2007, was nominated for the Hurston Wright

legacy award, the IMPAC prize, and in 2008 won the Virginia Library Foundation prize for fiction.

HANYA YANAGIHARA

Hanya Yanagihara was born on September 20, 1974, in Los Angeles. Her father's family had lived in

Hawaii for multiples generations and includes Japanese ancestry, while her mother is South Korean and

was born in Seoul. Yanagihara complete high school in Hawaii, she attended Smith College, a women-

only liberal arts college in Massachusetts. Yanagihara graduated in 1995 and moved to New York City.

She began her career working as a publicist and eventually began writing for Conde Nast Traveller, where

she subsequently became an editor. Yanagihara was working at Conde Nast Traveller when she published

her first novel, The People in the Trees, in 2013. This novel received very favourable reviews and

established Yanagihara as a notable new voice in fiction. In 2015, Yanagihara began a new job as editor-

in-chief at The New York Times Style Magazine. That same year, she published her second novel, A

Little Life. Yanagihara has received some attention due to her career combining a mixture of commercial

journalism and media work with the writing of literary fiction.

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