Sunday, November 02, 2008
Things I Learned at the Utopian Studies Conference
One paper discussed the uncertain masculinity in Diamonds are Forever, a destabilization of the James Bond character as was seen in the previous and subsequent movies. Anyone out there read it this way?
Another paper on Fight Club, of course, explored similar themes. Is male comradeship, as seen in the scene where Meatloaf is embraced, also a sign of destabilized masculinity.
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Well, inasmuch as he's impotent (and inept) in every way but sexually in GOLDFINGER, I think the film Bond was already stymied.
I'm not sure about this - although the character's well diluted in these modern times, though.
Maculinity is such a big thing in academia-I almost wrote this as a joke. Ian Flemming created a character to dispute the notion that all spies were gay-after that circle with Philby. But boredom seeps in with all the macho displays probably and then the academics creep in and point fingers.
Hence my mocking reference, in the poetry discussion, of Hamlin Garland, the most machismic poet I've encountered. "Do You Fear the Force of the Wind?" is quite enough.
Academic men probably feel awkward about not building muscles while working. And not having "real world" boredom in their jobs, having academic boredom instead. And then there are entirely too many nubile youngsters around.
Just checked that poem out. Not his finest effort, I hope.
Pretty much is. Or at least his most influential.
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