https://doi.org/10.67147/literariness.v1i3.103
Myth, Masculinity, and Moral Failure in Sport Literature: Re-reading The Natural
E. F. LIVINSTON
Ph.D. Research Scholar
Department of English
Faculty of Science and Humanities
SRM Institute of Science and Technology
SRM University, Kattankulathur, Chennai, India
le4021@srmist.edu.in
DR. G. DARYL CRESSIDA
Assistant Professor
Department of English
Faculty of Science and Humanities
SRM Institute of Science and Technology
Kattankulathur, Chengalpattu, India
darylcrg@srmist.edu.in
ORCID: 0009-0005-9279-8682
Abstract: In many cases, Sport literature has been presented as a form of writing that celebrates victory, dedication, and the representation of masculine heroism; however, in the case of The Natural by Bernard Malamud, this view has been reversed by offering the story of a sportsman who has remarkable athletic talents that are rendered ineffective due to his moral flaws and mental issues. Thus, the following paper will attempt to prove that the novel subverts the myth of a natural athlete by showing inconsistencies in the ideology of hegemonic masculinity and emphasising the role of failure. To prove the thesis stated above, the paper will consider Foucault’s works and discuss The Natural in the context of masculinity studies and mythology.
Keywords: Sports Literature, Masculinity, Failure, Body Politics, Identity Construction
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