What is it to be masculine? This is a term that is assigned to variety male activities. These male activities are ideas or social norms associated with men. These can very from fishing and playing sports, to fighting for your country. The perfect image of a masculine man would be one of muscle and height; it is also something many men strive to be like. But what makes curtain activities masculine? Is it because most men enjoy these activities or is it that they are expected to enjoy these activities through social conformation.
In my experience masculinity is very involved in the way I live my life. It is very involved in the shaping of my youth. Being masculine is often associated with being cool or popular or even just normal. The things I do in my life that I consider to be masculine would be fishing, dirt biking, camping, and especially working in a trade. I do enjoy these activities but I cannot help but wonder if I started doing them because I was expected to. A tool belt is really a huge symbol of manhood and I am not really sure why. I feel more empowered when I wear one and if I had to guess the reason for this it must be the stereotype of real men being good with their hands. This stereotype is enforced on the public through the previous generation, TV, and common history but these male roles are encouraged throughout 1984.
In our society today, men are still thought of as the provider; the worker in heavy industry and the guardian of the family unit. Due to constant social conditioning, I believe one of the most masculine figures in society is a soldier. This is evident in our society but much more so in 1984 as in most totalitarian governments that rely on military dexterity. The idea of a soldier is linked to being a protector of your nation, which is often portrayed as a female character. “Motherland” and “Homeland” provide ideals for which a man should protect. In 1984 the mustachioed face of big brother gives him a very powerful but protecting figure. His purpose is to give a friendly trusting face onto Ingsoc to keep a docile public; as he himself does not actually exist but is a form of propaganda employed by the party. He also is in uniform as it is important to his appearance. A feeling of strength and honour is portrayed in a man in uniform and much more so then a women in uniform. War posters and military demonstrations of masculine figures in the army or working makes one feel meek compared to these figures and is encouraged to enlist for his masculinity and pride. This is definitely pried upon by Ingsoc and even our governments in times of war. Many of these masculinities are socially driven and used to guilt men into the idea of what is the ideal man.
