American Masculinity, Essay Example

Masculinity may be defined by many parameters.  The definition of masculinity varies according to different cultures and time periods.  In America, two common archetypes, the Cowboy and the Rebel, consistently represent the masculine ideal, as they embody qualities which are considered to be desirable by many American men, such as superior skills, strength, and an independent spirit.  The Cowboy and the Rebel are illustrated through the films A Fistful of Dollars and One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest and the short story Brokeback Mountain.  The Man With No Name in A Fistful of Dollars successfully encompasses both the Cowboy and the Rebel archetypes.  Even though Ennis del Mar and Jack Twist realistically depict the Cowboy, and R.P. McMurphy accurately portrays the Rebel; these men fall short of the masculine ideal.  The purpose of this paper is to explore the Cowboy and Rebel archetypes of American masculinity and the reasons why many men are unable to meet the standards.

The Cowboy embodies the image of the strong and independent male who conquered the Wild West.  From Wyatt Earp to John Wayne, a generation grew up idolizing everything that the Cowboy represented.  In order for cowboys to survive, they had to be tough and quick-thinking.  They were always confronted with the possibility of danger and had to be prepared for anything.  The Cowboy represents masculinity because he reinforces the idea that the American male can be dominant and successful.  By identifying with the Cowboy, men can feel that they are fulfilling the role of being strong both physically and mentally.  The Cowboy also represents freedom and independence; two qualities which are positively associated with American masculinity.

In reality, a cowboy is an occupation for individuals who care for cattle, horses, and other livestock.  Just because an individual is a cowboy by trade, does not mean that they embrace the qualities of the Cowboy archetype, even if they participate in activities commonly associated with cowboys such as rodeos, horse-back riding, and working on ranches. In the short story Brokeback Mountain, Ennis del Mar and Jack Twist are both cowboys by trade, as Ennis worked jobs on various ranches and Jack worked in the rodeo.  However, neither man conveyed the true spirit of the Cowboy because they were never free.  Like many American men, even though they wanted to live their lives according to their principles, they could not let go of the social pressures their which kept them imprisoned.  The Cowboy archetype, inspires men to rise above social conventions. However, it is easier for men to follow society’s expectations, rather than create their own path.  But when men deny who they are, and succumb to the pressures of society, they fall short of the fundamental principles of the Cowboy archetype; to have the confidence and strength to be true to oneself.

The Rebel archetype is appealing to the American concept of masculinity because, like the Cowboy, he also represents freedom. The Rebel allows even greater freedom than the Cowboy, as he is not required to have a moral code of conduct.  The Rebel does not follow mundane rules and answers to no one.  Outwardly, the Rebel archetype is associated with motorcycles, tattoos, and standing up to authority.  There is an element of danger with this archetype and it is considered masculine to be fearless.  R.P. McMurphy portrays the Rebel in the film One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest.  Throughout the film, McMurphy disregards rules and institutions he feels are meaningless.  The Rebel archetype allows him to break the rules without guilt by taking the inmates on an unauthorized outing, organizing a party, and planning the escape with his friend Chief.  The Rebel archetype also goes so far as to grant McMurphy the courage to violently stand up to Nurse Ratched after her cruelty caused one of the inmates to commit suicide.

The Man With No Name embodies both the Cowboy and the Rebel archetypes.

His combination of the Cowboy and the Rebel represents masculinity at its peak.  He is physically superior, creative, and quick-thinking in his handling of the feuding families, the Rojos and the Baxters.  He survives because of his intelligence in wearing a bullet-proof vest to the final gun-fight.  At the end of the film, the Man With No Name leaves town and continues his chosen path.  The Man With No Name sets the standard for American masculinity because combines the skill, intelligence, and strength of the Cowboy with the freedom of the Rebel.  Like the Cowboy, he adheres to his own moral code of honor, creating a balance which allowed for him to fully embody the masculine ideal.  Despite his cold and surly demeanor, the Man With No Name demonstrates he has compassion and a good heart.  When freeing Marisol, he makes sure that she is reunited with her husband and son.  He displays the bravery of the Cowboy by saving Silvanito, the innkeeper.  In the modern age, the Cowboy is also chivalrous and honorable.

Many men in America fall short of the masculine ideal.  Even though they strive towards the goal of masculinity and embrace elements of popular archetypes, they are unable to succeed. Both Ennis and Jack fail in the end because they are unable to be true to themselves and let go of immaterial problems.  The Man With No Name leads a rough life, but appears to be content with his circumstances, while neither Ennis nor Jack is happy.  Like the Man With No Name, McMurphy lives by his own rules, but fails in the end due to has lack of quick-thinking.  He misses his opportunity to escape and is defeated by Nurse Ratched.  The Man With No Name may have triumphed if he were in McMurphy’s place because it was in his character to ensure that he and the inmates would have escaped.  The Cowboy archetype in the Man With No Name has the intellectual abilities and a code of honor that the Rebel archetype lacks.

Even though men may try to achieve the American masculine ideal, many find it difficult, because instead of embracing the fundamental values of the Cowboy and the Rebel, they focus on the superficial appearances of the archetypes, and allow society to dictate their actions.  The core values of these archetypes are not material objects such as horses and motorcycles.  Rather they are possessing an independent spirit and being true to oneself.  While trying to embrace a predetermined archetype can be fun and even inspirational, the true measure of success in masculinity occurs is by adapting the fundamental values to suit one’s individual personality.  The Man With No Name is able to achieve this, while Jack, Ennis, and McMurphy do not.  While the average American male may emulate the Cowboy and the Rebel, the reality is that many can identify more with Ennis, Jack, and McMurphy.

Masculinity is not a generic pattern that men can always emulate.  Archetypes merely offer guidelines for men to identify.  When trying to conform to a specific role, individuals can lose sight of their own core beliefs and values.  Being strong against external pressures is a fundamental quality of masculinity.  What makes the Cowboy and the Rebel good examples of American masculinity is that they inspire men to think for themselves and have the courage of their convictions to live according to their own desires.  The freedom that comes with this choice is what attracts the average American male to these archetypes.  If men are able to transcend their own inhibitions, then they are closer to achieving the fundamental principles of American masculinity.

Work Cited

Forman, Milos, dir. One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Prod. Saul Zaentz, and Michael Douglas. United Artists, 1975. Film. 6 Mar 2014.

Leone, Sergio, dir. A Fistful of Dollars. Prod. Arrigo Colombo, Giorgio Papi, Writ. A.

Bonzzoni, Victor Andres Catena, and Sergio Leone. United Artists, 1964. Film. 6 Mar 2014.

Proulx, Annie. “Brokeback Mountain.” New Yorker. 13 Oct 1997: n. page. Print.