Examining the Representation of Masculinity Identity in Nice Work

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- The masculinity in Robyn Penrose

In the first place, I want to make it clear that Robyn Penrose in Nice Work is a female, though the name “Robyn” is generally used for males. And the question then comes quickly, since Robyn is a female, how can masculinity be shown on her. Robyn Penrose, as the author descripted, is a “Temporary Lecturer in English Literature at the University of Rummidge, holds that “character” is a bourgeois myth, an illusion created to reinforce the ideology of capitalism.”(David Lodge. Nice Work, 21)Though female as she is, masculinity is widely and clearly shown in her words, behaviors and characters.

“Well, it’s nice work. It is meaningful. It’s rewarding. I don’t mean in money terms. It would be worth doing even one wasn’t paid anything at all.”(David Lodge. Nice Work, 86)

“But I don’t want to run a shoe shop or live in the Algarve,” said Robyn. “I want to teach women’s studies and post-structuralism and the nineteenth-century novel and write books about them.”(David Lodge. Nice Work, 127)

From the paragraphs above we can know that Robyn, compared to other women like Marjorie in this book, is a highly independent woman, with independent salary as well as, even more importantly, independent thoughts who will never be driven by the material thing or become money-oriented, let alone be controlled by man, which may be the brightest trait that make Vic falls in love with her. What essentially matters to her is to devote all her time and energy to her beloved English Literature teaching and researching, regardless of how much money she can earn from it.

To be further, her courage is also ubiquitous in her talking and behaving.

“Or what about the women who work in the offices where these calendars

are stuck up?” Robyn continued.” Why should they have to look at naked women all the time? Couldn’t you dedicate a few months of the year to naked men? Perhaps you’d like to pose yourself, along with Tracey.”

Vic Wilcox guffawed.

I’m afraid you’ve got it wrong, darling,” said Everthorpe, struggling to retain his poise. “Women aren’t like that. They’re not interested in pictures of naked men.

‘I am,” said Robyn. “I like them with hairy chests and ten-inch pricks.” (David Lodge. Nice Work, 95)

Similarly, the above conversation reveals Robyn is a courageous, assertive and independent feminist or so-called lefty from the perspective of people around her holding the thought of social justice and gender equality. Masculinity identity in Robyn is demonstrated in these paragraphs clearly, incisively and vividly.

- Conclusion

From above we can draw a conclusion masculinity identity is represented not only in male character like Vic, but also, and even more importantly, in female characters like Robyn in Nice Work. It is very clear that David Lodge breaks the traditional stereotype people hold that masculinity is the privilege of male. Women like Robyn can also have the masculinity identity.

Literature

1. Primary Source:

David Lodge. Nice Work. Vintage books London, 2011

2. Secondary Source:

Clyde W. Franklin II, The Changing Definition of Masculinity, 1984(5)