Masculinities in Literature of the American West

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Contemporary literary Westerns challenge traditional portrayals of masculinity, which often depict gun-slinging, individualistic heroes. This examination reveals anxieties surrounding the concept of masculinity and its ties to power and national identity. The narratives critique the rigid codes of manhood that permeate society, highlighting the struggle to define humanity in a context where "being a man" is both a dangerous ideal and a source of conflict. These novels confront the complexities of masculinity, suggesting it can be both desirable and destructive.