BODY POLITICS

Description

Body Politics: Rethinking Gender and Masculinity investigates the field of Masculinity Studies as a logical extension of feminism rather than a counter-discourse. The volume examines how masculinity maintains an invisible yet ubiquitous presence, functioning through the political construction of the "natural" to uphold patriarchal subordination. The book addresses the apparent inconspicuous nature of masculine traits and explores how these notions rupture when confronted with cultural extremes, including the crying man or the hyper-muscular figure. By employing a diachronic approach to literature and culture, the study highlights how the concept of masculinity has transformed historically, warning against anachronistic readings of past texts, such as evaluating Renaissance literature through modern parameters. Furthermore, the text contextualizes masculinity within pre-colonial, colonial, and post-colonial India, analyzing how colonization impacted historical gender fluidity. Ultimately, the volume brings masculinity into the discursive ambit to deconstruct its underlying assumptions and challenge gender discrimination across socio-cultural and academic arenas.