https://doi.org/10.67147/literariness.v1i2.034
Disability as Emasculation: Bodily Deformation, Stigma, and Hegemonic Masculinity in I
MS. FRANCIA P.A
Research Scholar
Department of English
NGM College, Pollachi, Tamil Nadu
DR. SUJA MATHEW
Associate Professor & Research Supervisor
Department of English
NGM College, Pollachi, Tamil Nadu
Abstract: Toxic masculinity promotes a narrow idea of manhood built on emotional repression, aggression, domination, and physical strength. It rejects vulnerability, disability, and traits labeled as “feminine” or “weak.” Ableism, meanwhile, privileges able-bodied individuals and devalues disabled people as defective or dependent, upholding the ideal of a “normal” or “perfect” body. In many societies and media texts, masculinity is equated with muscular body, sexual dominance, heroism, and independence. A man’s body is seen as a symbol of power. When he becomes disabled or ill, that power is perceived as lost. Thus, disability becomes emasculating under toxic masculine norms. Toxic masculinity demands stoicism and emotional control. Disability often requires dependence, care, or emotional openness. Hence, men with disabilities are marginalized within masculine hierarchies. Ableism and toxic masculinity both measure a man’s value through his body, if the body is strong, able, and efficient he is “man enough” if not he is excluded from dominant masculinity. Shankar’s movie I (2015) tells the story of Lingesan, a bodybuilder-turned-supermodel who is transformed into a grotesque figure through sabotage. While the film may appear to focus on beauty, revenge, and transformation, a deeper reading reveals that it is structured around ideals of toxic masculinity where bodily strength, dominance, and physical perfection are essential to a man’s identity, worth, and love. This paper critically examines the construction of masculinity in the movie I through the lens of R. W. Connell’s theory of hegemonic masculinity. It explores how the male protagonist’s identity is anchored in bodily perfection, physical dominance, and heteronormative desirability, qualities that align with dominant cultural ideals of masculinity. The paper further interrogates how disability is used as a narrative rupture, revealing the fragility of these ideals. Drawing on theories of ableism, stigma, and body commodification, this study argues that the film portrays disability as a loss of masculinity and suggests that true recovery is possible only by returning to an able-bodied state, reinforcing harmful ideas about strength and normalcy.
Keywords: Toxic masculinity, disability, ableism, cinema, body
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