Masculinity in Crisis: An Interpretation of Signoles Failure in A Coward by Guy De Maupassant

Abstract

This study aims to reveal masculinity that appears in the A Coward by Guy De Maupassant, and to deepen knowledge how the crisis of masculinity happen to main character. The study focuses on the main character's failure, Viscount Gontran-Joseph De Signoles, when he tries to confront his fears. Signoles failure leads him to face the crisis of masculinity. Theory uses in this study is the masculinity concept proposed by Janet Saltzman Chafetz. In this concept, Chafetz proposed seven areas or characteristics of masculinity such as physical area, function of men, sexual aggression, intellectual, emotional, interpersonal, and personal areas. This study utilized a qualitative method. The analysis is based on close reading of the text and identification of relevant passages and dialogs. This study finds that Signoles portrays masculinity characteristics at the beginning of the story in the physical, function of men, sexually aggressive, intellectual, and interpersonal areas. Signoles also experiences crisis masculinity at the end of the story in physical, intellectual, emotional, interpersonal, and personal areas.