Examples Of Masculinity In John Wayne

John Wayne epitomizes masculinity, and did throughout his tenured Hollywood career. He is regarded as an iconic male actor on account of his voice, height, and mannerisms. Wayne’s female counterpart, Maureen O’Hara, was antithetically famous for her stunning beauty and typical portrayal of a heroine. Their character’s tumultuous relationship and the obstacles they face accentuate the internal struggle that a masculine family man must face: torn between serving his country and serving his family.

The film particularly imposes masculinity unto Spig through its portrayal of his undying loyalty to the navy and the brotherhood he forges within it. Though Spig is careless and jovial, he often pushes back against authority without fear of repercussions.

Spig and his comrades are therefore shown to be lighthearted, yet strictly driven to service. This is something that they and they alone is able to do.

The initial car chase of the plane and O’Hara’s debut in her delicate violet outfit demonstrates that there will be tension between Spig’s marriage and his naval pursuits. His wife’s frustration by his consumption in warfare reinforces her femininity, as her identity as a woman makes her unable to understand Spig’s commitment to manhood and warfare. Thus the film create a strict dichotomy between women and men. A man’s role is exclusively reserved to participate in combat, service, and protection, while a woman is restricted to waiting for her man to return home from war while caring for their children. Even in O’Hara’s descent, when she becomes a messy and absent mother, we begin to pity her. Yet we are relieved once Spig returns from war, tidies up, and tucks the children into bed. A male’s role as the savior and ultimate pillar of the family is therefore surfaced.

Overall, the beginning of the film reinforces what we already know: that a man is strong and a woman is strong if she stands beside or in the shadow of her husband.