Masculinity In Elizabeth Nunez's Bruised Hibiscus

„Bruised Hibiscus“ – Coping with Hegemonic Masculinity

Since time immemorial women are suppressed and exploited by men, a process that is based on social conventions and which sociologists define as hegemonic masculinity. And the feminist consciousness for equality exists as long as the discrimination itself. Concerning successful movements, feminists often refer to sisterhood as the driving force in this struggle. Historically, only major movements seem to be successful. Hence, my goal is to examine on the basis of Elizabeth Nunez’ novel “Bruised Hibiscus” to what extent sisterhood can be promising for individual women and to what extent its success is influenced by hegemonic masculinity.

To achieve this goal, I have divided my paper into

Masculinity and femininity are socially constructed concepts which are based on the behaviour and the abilities that are expected from the respective gender. According to Patricia Mohammed ‘the nature of women’s being was premised on the knowledge of their bodies and learning how to ensure that the children they gave birth to survived’ while ‘[m]anhood and masculinity were/are linked to power, status, control, and the execution of his role as provider and breadwinner’ (54). Taking all this into consideration it is hardly surprising that masculinity is associated with strength and independence whereas femininity seems to be its weak and dependent

They create sisterhood, a solidarity that exceeds the boundaries of status and ethnicity. Even Rosa and Zuela take encouragement from sisterhood. They both have been friends during their childhood but parted ways after a far-reaching incident (68). The pilgrimage to Laventille or rather their unexpected reunion has then rekindled this friendship. Just this renewed friendship encourages Rosa to move on. Rosa is inspired by Zuela’s will power and she finally realizes that her relationship with Cedric is not right:

It was Zuela who had helped her face her complicity in her humiliation, who had shamed her into ending it, into realizing that the awe she had sought from Cedric had left her powerless; that the haven she had thought she had found was his briar patch; that she was the one who had made it easy for Cedric to head her there. (205)

Rosa experiences another moment of sisterhood with Mary Christophe, her African maid who has cared for her during her childhood. After all those years they have been separated Mary Christoph still treats Rosa like her own child whilst protecting and encouraging her