Masculinity is narrowly defined in "The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World." Size, strength, and attractiveness are all synonymous with masculinity in this story. However, non-physical traits like compassion, humility, leadership, and modesty are also associated with the notion of what it means to be a man. The highest ideal of masculinity is shared and admired equally by both men and women in this story.
Questions About Men and Masculinity
- What values are decidedly "masculine" in this story? Which are "feminine?"
- Whom does the drowned man's arrival effect more – the men of the village, or the women?
- What qualities make the drowned man seem so manly? Who determines what these qualities are?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
"The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World" operates on principles of archaic gender divisions; it is not relevant in the modern world.