A Summary Of The Novel Manliness And Civilization

MANLINESS AND CIVILIZATION : A CULTURAL HISTORY OF GENDER AND RACE IN THE UNITED STATES, 1880-1917. BY Gail Benderman.

Bendermans main point is to investigate the turn of the centuries connection between race and manhood. Bendermans book Manliness and Civilization thesis will state that “between 1890 and 1917, as white middle class men, actively worked to reinforce male power, their race became a factor which was crucial to gender” (Benderman, 4). “In ways which have not been well understood, whiteness was both a palpable fact and a manly ideal for these men” (5). Chapter one analyzes Jack Johnson and Jim Jefferies whom are two “strong” “manly” men. The only obvious difference between these men is one of the men’s races is white and the other

In the Victorian years “manliness” was seen as physical and sexual restraint and moderation in all things. However, changes in society called for a different view of “manliness” as the 20th century drew near.. It is important to note the title of the book as being Manliness and Civilization, as the subjects of the book being “manliness” and “civilization”. The “manliness” of whites and white “civilization”.

Primary sources such as photos, pamphlets, newspapers and many monographs are used as evidence to support Bendermans thesis. Benderman uses the example of Tarzan to discuss how Tarzan was the ideal of masculinity and manliness because of his white skin. The depiction of Tarzan was used as a metaphor in her conclusion for her

She believes that if a white man was to rape someone he wouldn’t be charged. However, if I black man was to rape someone, he would be charged and lynched. During this time if you were not of the white race, you didn’t have a say in society. This view came from Benderman because she is a white woman herself, she does everything in her power to determine if the white race is superior over the black race. White men determined the manliness of the society. Wither or not you were strong, or if you could hold back your sexual tendencies. Benderman not only address the male gender in her book she also addresses the female gender. She feels that “race suicide” occurs because women aren’t having enough babies to match the number of babies that immigrants coming into this country are having.

These attitudes towards gender and gender roles do play a role in our society because we all have our opinions on what race or gender is superior over the other. Some think the white race is superior, while others think the black race is. Same with gender most feel that the male gender is superior over the female gender due to the fact that the male gender is stronger, and less emotional than the female gender