Wounded Masculinity and the Search for (Father) Self in American Film

Susan Mackey-Kallis and Brian Johnston develop a rhetorical and mythic criticism model to analyze popular American films, focusing on the need for father atonement, ego-decentering, and the resurrection of the lost feminine to heal collective gendered cultural wounds. They argue for the importance of digging into cultural wounds to change the conversation about woundedness and provide a roadmap for healing gendered relations.

Format: Hardback
Length: 274 pages
Publication date: 15 December 2023
Publisher: Lexington Books

Drawing on a rich tapestry of texts and theorists from Greek myth, psychoanalysis, and masculinities, Susan Mackey-Kallis and Brian Johnston present a groundbreaking model of rhetorical and mythic criticism that delves into the analysis of popular American films. In their comprehensive book, Mackey-Kallis and Johnston meticulously examine films that shed light on the urgent need for father atonement, ego-decentering, and the resurrection of the lost feminine to heal the collective gendered cultural wounds plaguing our society. They argue that many of these "mystic" films affirm the role of meaningful suffering, compassion, the integration of the feminine, self-sacrifice, and transcendence as powerful antidotes to the inherent woundedness of the human condition.

The authors go beyond mere surface-level suturing and advocate for a deeper exploration of the substance of cultural wounds. They believe that by delving into the core of these wounds, we can initiate a transformative conversation about woundedness and provide a roadmap for healing gendered relations in contemporary American culture. The book concludes with a thought-provoking discussion of Joseph Campbell's interpretation of the metaphorical power of myth and its transcendent function. Through his lens, the authors propose a theory of "us," emphasizing unity and collaboration rather than division and conflict.

This book appeals to scholars across a wide range of disciplines, including film, gender studies, American studies, cultural studies, gender studies, and psychology. Its insightful analysis and innovative approach offer valuable insights into the complex interplay between myth, rhetoric, and gender in popular culture, making it a must-read for anyone interested in exploring these critical themes.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781793626073