LITERARY EXPLORATION OF MALE RELATIONSHIPS IN THE 19TH–20TH CENTURIES
Keywords:
male friendship, masculinity, emotional intimacy, 19th-century literature, 20th-century literature, literary masculinity, male bonding, gender norms, homoeroticism, literary analysisAbstract
This paper explores the nuanced portrayal of male relationships in 19th and 20th-century literature, examining how historical, cultural, and ideological shifts influenced representations of male friendship, rivalry, mentorship, and homoerotic subtext. Through a comparative literary analysis of works by authors such as Charles Dickens, Fyodor Dostoevsky, E. M. Forster, and James Baldwin, the study highlights evolving constructs of masculinity and emotional intimacy among men. By situating male bonds within broader socio-political contexts—including industrialization, war, colonialism, and changing gender norms—the paper uncovers how literature functioned both as a reflection and critique of prevailing attitudes toward male identity and interpersonal connection.
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