The Strength of Masculinity

What is "masculinity"?  What are "masculinities"?  What defines these concepts?  Use examples from Orwell's 1984 as well as those drawn from popular culture, literature, advertising, and so forth to furnish your response.

Masculinity can be seen as a large portion of the construction of society. It is often viewed by society in the form of power, success, assertiveness and strength. Although these characteristics may often be easily seen in the majority of men, masculinities have become a social construct of gender.

In my opinion, the role of men is a stereotype. Throughout history, men and women have had their roles in the common household. The traditional role of men being the providers, the bread-winners, whatever they may be called, has transformed into a stereotype. This stereotype has been evolved into a much broader scale, from the traditional household, into society. In modern society masculinity can be seen in many different aspects. Every day, millions of people go to gyms and workout in order to achieve a desirable body. Some of these people may be working out just to stay healthy, but why do some of these people (mainly men) find the need to use steroids and other unnatural enhancements? It is because they find the need to make themselves look more masculine, and to conform to the stereotype created of men being ‘strong’.

In George Orwell’s novel 1984, masculinity plays a major role. The need to work out and enhance the human body can also be seen when Winston is attending a workout class that is being performed through his television. During the workout many references relate to masculinity, such as when the instructor says, “we can’t always be on the front line, but at least we can all keep fit” (39). This quotation is relavant because it takes the masculine trait of masculinity and compares it to being on the “front line”, in war, which is also a common masculine trait.

Masculinity is also portrayed in Orwell’s novel as it contributes to the rivalry between masculinity and femininity. Masculinity is made dominant in 1984 partly due to the devaluation of feminine qualities such as caring for children, or raising a family that practices proper beliefs. This feminist role is completely taken away by the government, as love is frowned upon and sex is used only for pure pleasure or repopulation. As a result of this new founded stereotype, the traditional woman’s role of a housewife has been abolished. Femininity is also degraded as Julia is made to be a woman that has had many partners. Julia states that she has had sex “hundreds of times”, something that is seen as extremely degrading from the current feminist stereotype.

Masculinity has always been seen as a powerful, strong, and strong trait. It has been prominent in households throughout history, and has evolved with society. It seems that even when masculinity is weak, it has a way of prevailing over any other obstacles in its way.

Work Cited: George Orwell, 1984

The Pursuit of Happiness

1) Is it possible to be happy? Why?          

               When it comes to the question of the possibility of happiness, I think to myself, what is happiness? Sigmund Freud also contemplated this question in one of his most famous books, “Civilization and its Discontents”. Freud did not come to a definite conclusion, but he did contrast some very significant arguments.

                In order to find a true definition of happiness, first human nature must be defined. Freud described human nature as universal, filled with instinctive drives. These instinctive drives lead to the fulfillment that constitutes happiness in the most basic of forms. After Freud described the basic form of human nature, he went on to argue the constitutions of happiness.

                Freud did not believe that happiness was a value, but rather the result of avoidance of pain, then the achievement of pleasure. Freud believed that these actions were part of the human psyche and were natural instincts. Freud discusses that humans are essentially pursuing this happiness because it is an ancient and inevitable instinct for humans to seek happiness.

                However, humans have found themselves stuck in societies that supply a false consciousness. As humans have strived for happiness and self-satisfaction in the past, they have entered a society that finds suitable replacements for these basic, instinctual needs. Societies have given individuals the ability to purchase materialistic goods and ideologies that promote individualism and self-pride. Goods such as clothing, housing and delicious food help distract individuals from their basic needs. The health care system and protection by society also give the individuals a sense of unnatural happiness.

                In conclusion, I have considered both sides to whether happiness can be achieved or not. My thoughts have come to an indefinite conclusion, much like Sigmund Freud’s arguments. I have found that happiness is possible to be achieved in today’s society, and the level of happiness has been increasing as our society develops. I have also found that this happiness that has been achieved in society is not true happiness which human nature strives for. Society has created a false image of happiness that has distracted the majority of individuals from their basic instincts. I believe that it is up to the individual to define what true happiness is for themselves, whether it is created by society or accomplished by instinctual, basic nature.

Work Cited: Sigmund Freud, “Civilization and its Discontents”

A Just Prosecution

1. Do you think these charges are legitimate? Is this a fair trial?

Religion has always been a foundation to society, and it has worked its way into the judiciary system as well. Religion is what teaching and working was revolved around, and to question or speak against the gods would be to speak against the fundamentals of society itself. In Plato’s Euthyphro and Apology, Socrates is charged for not recognizing the gods of the state, creating new deities, and corrupting the youth of Athens. These charges are an accurate illustration of the judicial system and society in ancient Greece.

Socrates is without a doubt, smart, well rounded, and intellectual. One of Socrates’ charges was for inventing and creating new gods. Gods were a very large part of ancient Greek life. The Greek people along with many other ancient societies revolved their lives around their beliefs in the gods. Religion not only a large influence on the people, but also in the judiciary system. It appears to be that Socrates created his new gods because he felt that he was wise enough to do so, but he was unsuccessful due to the bias of the people in the court and the laws incorporated with religion.

Another one of Socrates’ charges was for corrupting the youth. This charge is also a very significant charge because he is corrupting the leaders of the future. Ancient societies were fundamentally based on the upbringing and teachings of religion and order. What the children are learning in the early stages of their lives, helps mould their futures and the person that they are to become. Socrates’ undermines the rules of society by the teaching of false gods. This action does not make him “wise” or more powerful than anyone else, it is an unjust offense that threatens the foundations and of society and religion.

Socrates’ final offence of inventing new gods is an offense that is most likely, not going to be accepted by the judiciary system. The courts are filled with religious men that have been raised to believe in the gods that were taught by society. Socrates’ creation of new gods is offensive towards the other gods because it is making a mockery of the system that is in place.  This offense could be the most offensive of the three, and although Socrates believes that he is making a point that he is “wise”, he mistake’s his authority and power, and only makes himself seem ludicrous and threatening.

Socrates’ naïve opinion is the reason that he is being prosecuted. His charges of not recognizing the gods recognized by the state, inventing new deities, and corrupting the youth of Athens are all appropriate and just. All of his charges are a result of Socrates’ arrogance and ego, and it is for these reasons that the court sentenced Socrates to death.

Work Cited: Plato, " Euthyphro, Apology, Crito"

A Choice Often Made By Society

1) If you were a citizen of Omelas, would you stay or would you walk?

When it comes to the story “The ones who walk away from Omelas”, the simple question of if I would walk away from Omelas is really not that simple. Looking at this story from an outside perspective as a rational human being, raised to make rational decisions, my decision would be to walk away from Omelas. However, if I was a citizen of Omelas, where I was raised without common morals and ethics, self-determination, or the ability to make rational decisions, I would stay in Omelas.

Yes, Omelas is a Utopian city that seems to have been taken out of a fairy tale. If I were to enter Omelas and experience its stunning scenery, avid processions, and overall vibrant atmosphere, walking away from this utopia would be unimaginable. But after discovering a dark, inhumane flaw in this - thought to be perfect - society, walking away would seem to be the only choice. I would come to this conclusion only because I have been raised in a society that’s fundamental morals and ethics are against the foundations of the utopia in Omalas.

On the contrary, it is completely understandable why a citizen of Omelas would accept the suffering of one, for the prosperity of many. It is true that in the eyes of a guest of Omelas, the foundations and beliefs that exist in the city would seem to be radical and un-rational, but to a citizen of Omelas, that was raised to believe that the sacrifice of one individual is necessary, would lead that person to believe and justify the suffering of this one being. This belief, as radical as it may seem to many, is rational to the citizens of Omelas because it is part of the foundations of the city’s own prosperity. The people of Omelas have been raised not to accept this imprisonment of the child, but to believe that it is necessary, and to “know that it has to be there”(Le Guin, Pg. 3).

If I was a citizen, born and raised in Omelas, I would stay because I would conform to the beliefs of society. The reason I would stay, is the same reason why a guest of the city would be turned away. The majority of people’s beliefs are not chosen, but it is enforced and conformed by society to the extent where it becomes a belief for that individual.

Works Cited: Ursula K. Le Guin, “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas”