In contemporary literary discourse, male images are no longer simply a set of stereotypes but transform into vividly defined, contradictory personalities reflecting changes in social conditions and inner experiences.

Evolving Masculinity in Literary Discourse

In contemporary literary discourse, male images are no longer simply a set of stereotypes but transform into vividly defined, contradictory personalities reflecting changes in social conditions and inner experiences. In "The Dowry-less," male characters are intricately woven into family and societal relationships, where even the absence of economic advantages for women does not diminish the influence of maternal authority. Here, traditional qualities of strength and determination are closely intertwined with the necessity of conforming to social and familial norms, which emphasizes the complexity of the daily choice between personal ambitions and duty to society.

On the other hand, "The Brutal Novel" offers us the image of a man who simultaneously resembles Don Juan and a seeker of new meanings, akin to Faust. Such characters demonstrate the ability to change and adapt, expressing both a turbulent passion for life and dissatisfaction with established norms. These heroes live in a constant search for a personal path, refusing to accept imposed social roles without a fight. They embody modern dynamics, where the desire to be oneself takes precedence over merely fulfilling socialized duties.

Thus, both works reveal the evolution of the male ideal from a stable, traditional model to a multidimensional figure capable of accepting inner contradictions and transforming under the influence of changing cultural orientations. It is precisely this complexity and ability to adapt that makes literary male images not only relevant but also inspiring for the modern reader, prompting reflection on the eternal conflict between external expectations and deep personal aspirations.

How do the images of men in literary works such as "The Dowry-less" and "The Brutal Novel" resonate with modern representations of male archetypes?

The male images in these works represent something more than just a collection of traditional qualities. They embody a complex, multifaceted character where, alongside the expected traits of strength and determination, inner contradictions and the influence of external social circumstances also make their appearance. Thus, in "The Dowry-less" (as seen from the description in source link txt), male personalities turn out to be intricately interwoven into family and social networks, where even despite the absence of economic privileges for women, maternal power exerts significant influence:

"Poor conditions in no way undermined the mother's authority. Both sons, Fernand and Sully, worked for her. As for the daughters, the lack of a dowry deprived them of hope for marriage..." (source: link txt).

This picture shows that traditional male archetypes are formed under conditions where personal initiative and independence are often subject to familial and social duties. This resonates with modern representations of men for whom the conflict between personal ambitions and social expectations remains relevant.

In "The Brutal Novel" (an image akin to the characters described in source link txt), a man appears as a contradictory hero whose personality is multifaceted, including traits of both the traditional Don Juan and a seeker of new meanings, almost like Faust—constantly dissatisfied and rebellious. Here, the man is simultaneously a bearer of ideas that lead to the emergence of diverse images: from a nationalist to a revolutionary, which highlights his variability and adaptability. As it is written:

"Don Juan's image is replaced by that of Faust—the seeker, perpetually unsatisfied and rebellious. Stavrogin is their teacher, their leader, and master. They all live his life; these are his ideas that have acquired independent existence..." (source: link txt).

This approach demonstrates that the concept of masculinity is not static: modern male archetypes, despite their historical roots, exhibit internal duality and an overt contradiction between traditional principles and the quest for self-expression. This is also reflected in a shift of emphasis—from external strength and authority to emotional vulnerability and the search for personal identity, a trait also encountered in modern interpretations commonly referred to as "quasi-real types":

"Human characters, touched by the 'St. Petersburg scoundrels,' reveal a tragicomic complex, which at the same time clearly resonates with modern quasi-real types. Dostoevsky made an effort, and the main characters of his novel are logical successors of the pseudo-murderous essence of modern civilization." (source: link txt).

Thus, the male images in "The Dowry-less" and "The Brutal Novel" demonstrate the evolution of the male ideal from a stable social role, defined by family and societal ties, to a more complex figure experiencing inner contradictions and striving to find his position amid continuously changing cultural and moral orientations of modernity.