Masculinity

Evolution of a Man

2007

In the two stories , The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber by Ernest Hemmingway , and A

by John Updike , the issue of masculinity is described at it 's turning point of revelation , when the maturity of a man shows that he has become masculine . A likeness that is shown by both of the authors is defined as being less of a man , then becoming what it means to be a man . The stories use various examples to show manliness with their characters that deal with emotional

, moral , and physical s

In the short story by Hemmingway , emotion is used to define masculinity when dealing with the character of Francis Macomber . Macomber is hunting a lion , and before the hunt has even began , there are s of his fear of the lion and it 's roaring . During the scene when they are killing the lion , Macomber lets his fear get the best of him , The next thing he knew he was running running wildly , in panic in the open running toward the stream (Hemmingway 15 ) Closer to the end of the story , Macomber 's fear has left . He stands fast before the buffalo , not shying an inch , continuing to shoot his gun until the end . In standing up to his emotions like this , it is showing that he has found his masculinity

In Updike 's composition , emotion is shown by the character of Sammy and how he feels about the young female patrons being embarrassed by the manager . He becomes protective about the girls ' emotions , and feels so strongly about showing this he actually quits his job , in for him to show that he 's going to stand up for his beliefs

Morality is also used to define masculinity , although in different respects . Hemmingway 's character Macomber sees that his wife has been with the hunter , Wilson . Her immoral act is what causes the anger which drives away his fear , and begins his journey towards becoming more masculine . He stands up to her the next morning , after she has slept with the other character . His anger at Wilson , for sleeping with his wife , he seems to use to fuel himself to become a risk taker . He is risking that his wife leave him , yet he sees that he is showing morality be finally telling her that he will not accept her ways of adultery any longer

Updike 's character of the manager of the store , Lengel , who also happens to be a Sunday school teacher , is accusing the girls in the store of being immoral by the fact that they are only wearing bathing suits , and not street clothes . The young women feel as though they have done nothing wrong , and are innocent of any type of immorality , but Lengel persists in letting the girls know that they cannot patronize his store dressed as if they were at the beach , making this clear when he states , We want you decently dressed when you come...