Martial Masculinities: Experiencing and Imagining the Military in the Long Nineteenth Century

This collection explores the role of martial masculinities in shaping nineteenth-century British culture and society, drawing on historical, literary, visual, and musical sources to demonstrate the centrality of the military and its masculine dimensions in the shaping of Victorian and Edwardian personal and national identities.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 288 pages
\n Publication date: 05 October 2021
\n Publisher: Manchester University Press
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This collection delves into the profound impact of martial masculinities on nineteenth-century British culture and society, situated within the backdrop of two of the most significant wars the world had ever witnessed. By offering a fresh and interdisciplinary approach to this emerging field of study, it draws upon a diverse range of historical, literary, visual, and musical sources to illustrate the central role of the military and its masculine dimensions in shaping Victorian and Edwardian personal and national identities. Through a comprehensive examination of both the realities of military service and its imaginative manifestations, the book explores a wide array of topics, including bodies and habits, families and domesticity, heroism and chivalry, religion and militarism, and youth and fantasy.

Martial masculinities emerged as a powerful force in nineteenth-century Britain, shaped by the demands of warfare and the broader social transformations of the era. The military played a central role in shaping Victorian and Edwardian identities, both as a source of pride and identity and as a means of asserting national power and prestige. Men who served in the military were often seen as heroes, embodying the values of bravery, self-sacrifice, and loyalty to their country. At the same time, military culture reinforced traditional gender roles and stereotypes, with men expected to be strong, stoic, and disciplined, while women were relegated to the domestic sphere.

The collection explores the ways in which martial masculinities were expressed and reproduced through a range of cultural mediums, including literature, art, music, and popular culture. For example, military literature of the period often depicted soldiers as brave and noble heroes, while popular songs and ballads celebrated the virtues of military service and the bravery of soldiers on the battlefield. Visual art, too, played a significant role in shaping martial masculinities, with depictions of soldiers and military scenes in paintings, sculptures, and photographs serving to reinforce the idea of the military as a masculine domain.

However, martial masculinities were not without their challenges and contradictions. The experience of military service was often brutal and traumatic, with men subjected to long periods of separation from their families, physical and psychological trauma, and the risk of death or injury. At the same time, military culture could also be oppressive and hierarchical, with men subjected to strict codes of conduct and discipline and women marginalized and excluded from the military sphere.

Despite these challenges, martial masculinities continued to shape nineteenth-century British culture and society in profound ways. They helped to define the contours of Victorian and Edwardian masculinity, providing a model of strength, courage, and self-sacrifice that was admired and emulated by men and women alike. They also played a significant role in shaping the nation's sense of identity and pride, as the military was seen as a symbol of national strength and resilience in the face of adversity.

In conclusion, this collection offers a valuable and innovative perspective on the role of martial masculinities in shaping nineteenth-century British culture and society. By drawing upon a diverse range of sources and perspectives, it demonstrates the centrality of the military and its masculine dimensions in the shaping of Victorian and Edwardian personal and national identities. It will be of interest to scholars and students of history, literature, art, music, and gender studies, as well as anyone with an interest in the cultures of war and masculinity in the long nineteenth century.

\n Weight: 372g\n
Dimension: 140 x 217 x 19 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781526160447\n \n