Abstract
Gender traits result from the interweaving and co-construction of physiological attributes and social consciousness of gender groups. Masculinity, in particular, represents the transference, extension, or distorted expression of male traits. In the gender narratives of Ming and Qing fiction, there is an implicit intention to construct masculinity. In these works, real and fictional female figures serve as critical mediators for highlighting masculinity, while misogynistic tendencies manifest in various forms throughout the narratives. Fortitude and bravery are fundamental categories of masculinity, but in certain contexts, these traits are prone to transforming into violence, characterized by strong aggressiveness, which leads to moral transgressions. Furthermore, the internal diversity within male groups results in a multifaceted representation of masculinity in Ming and Qing fiction. This diversity is closely linked to the ways in which authors reconstruct masculinity by othering women in different contexts.
Keywords
Ming and Qing fiction, construction of masculinity, gender narratives
First Page
131
Last Page
141
Recommended Citation
Chen, Chen. 2025. "Construction of Masculinity and Gender Narratives in Ming and Qing Fiction." Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art 45, (2): pp.131-141. https://tsla.researchcommons.org/journal/vol45/iss2/13
