The Producing Male Body in Willa Cather's “Neighbour Rosicky”

Bibliographic Data

ID12412477
AuthorsMargaret Emily Marquis (University of Kentucky, corresponding author)
Year2005
Volume13
Issue2
Pages185-197
Publication date2005-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueThe Journal of Men s Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1060-8265 • E-ISSN: 1933-0251
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.3149/jms.1302.185
OpenAlexW1995112007
LanguageEN
References cited8

This essay analyzes how Willa Cather's 1928 story “Neighbour Rosicky” depicts issues of masculinity, work, and American identity through the corporeality of Anton Rosicky. Because his failing health and formerly strong body are so linked to the work he does, Rosicky's body becomes more than simply a tool for farming. This topic considers the cultural and historical significance of how these subthemes correspond to the larger theme of working men in America. Rosicky represents a uniquely American conflict between production from physical work for private or familial consumption and such production that is intended primarily to generate income. In this work, the two issues are presented as entangled as Rosicky provides food for his family but also spends the income from the sale of what is left over on nonnecessities. Rosicky's work, which both produces foodstuffs for his family and provides income for other goods, and the body performing that work depict a crucial theme for working men in America after the turn of the century

Aesthetics · Art · Consumption (sociology · Economics · Identity (music · Masculinity · Production (economics · Social science · Sociology · Theme (computing · Work (physics · American and British Literature Analysis · Computer Science · Cultural Studies and Interdisciplinary Research · Gender Studies · Poetry Analysis and Criticism

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