Julian Barnes’in Arthur & George, the Noise of Time Ve the Man in the Red Coat Romanlarinda Erkekli̇ği̇n Temsi̇li̇
Year: 2024
Type: dissertation
Abstract: This thesis explores the representation of masculinity as a sociocultural phenomenon in three of Julian Barnes’ biographical works of fiction, namely Arthur & George (2005), The Noise of Time (2016), and The Man in the Red Coat (2019), which all develop a critical attitude towards essentialist views on maleness and adopt intersectional perspectives on sexuality and gender. Each of the three selected biographical novels involves famous historical male figure(s) from the late 19th and/ or the early 20th centuries – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930) in Arthur & George, Dmitri Dmitriyevich Shostakovich (1906-1975) in The Noise of Time, and Dr. Samuel Jean Pozzi (1846-1918) in The Man in the Red Coat – and the novels incorporate incidents adapted from the real life stories of these historical figures in their characterization, setting and plot. By focusing on how Barnes fictionalizes and manipulates the factual life stories of these well-known male figures, the present study investigates the ways these three works challenge the common understanding of hegemonic masculinity in the context of the post-industrial era, in England, Russia and France. It explores the ways in which these works promote multiplicity and mutuality in masculinization, and it focuses on how these novels undermine the flawed assumptions on “authentic” masculinity, in order to extend the definition of manhood to incorporate connection and performativity. This research concludes that, as suggested by these novels, official discourses cannot stabilize the category of masculinity, or develop a homogenous notion of maleness.
Author: Javanmard, Raziyeh
Language: English
Topic: Gender and Feminist Studies
Subfield: Gender Studies
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7110624889