Masculinity

          There are many different variations of masculinity, some derive from the media, others come from family, and later as children grow up they begin to form their own definitions for themselves.  The medias version of “masculinity” in men not only influence teenage boys however young boys too. At the age of five my younger brother played with action hero’s, Superman, Spiderman and Batman were always flying around our house.  These hero’s that were shown in his favorite T.V shows and books later became characteristics he wanted when he was older, in his eyes  he thought they were cool and he wanted to be strong just like them.  Of course my brother will never be able to carry a plane, or shoot webs from his wrists but already at such a young age the media was changing his mind into what they wanted.  Media has always had control over young children showing them how they should be, act and dress when they got older. The media also portrays masculinity has having the characteristics of men being confident, physically fit, attractive and even displaying some of the stereotypes that are attached to men such as “the bad boy” image. These are only a few examples of how males are displayed in society today yet have a major influence on new generations of young boys. In George Orwell’s 1984, men are portrayed much differently than women.  The main characters in this novel (besides Julia) are all basically men.  Is Orwell trying to display that men in this society are more important?  Or they have a greater importance in this novel than women? I’m not sure. However something I am sure of is that since most of these male characters are known to the reader and are described to the reader (unlike the women) the men gain a sense of power and authority. They are being personalized which further builds their character.  Julia is described later, however she is just one women in a novel full of males. Consequently I think the characteristics of masculine men are something boys and men should make for themselves. Everyone should have the power to build the person they want to be instead of moulding it off of something they see or hear.