10D English
Masculinity in the Media:
Rio O’Dwyer
“Being a male is a matter of birth. Being a man is a matter of choice.” - Edwin Louis Cole.
Too often does the media depict modern masculinity as brutish, unempathetic and even violent. This perpetuates a
toxic fallacy that stunts emotional growth in young men. In A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood (Marielle Heller,
2019), the concept of true masculinity is revealed through the kindness, patience and love of its supporting
character, Mr Rogers. To do this, filmmakers and advertisers utilise narrative, symbolic and technical elements to
encapsulate their interpretation of masculinity. Although many forms of media attempt to demonstrate a positive
outlook on masculinity, noticeably unhealthy interpretations still plague the silver screen.
Narrative elements are vital to the portrayal of masculinity in media, this includes Marielle Heller’s film A Beautiful
Day in the Neighbourhood. Heller utilises a variety of narrative elements to emphasise the masculinity demonstrated
through the character, Mr Rogers. Characterisation is vital to Rogers’ masculinity as it visualises the idealistic nature
of someone with extreme patience who genuinely cares for people at their worst and is willing to make mistakes.
Several moments throughout the film demonstrate this factor, including Fred Rogers’ reaction to his difficulty when
setting a tent during the filming of his children’s TV show. Although he is visibly struggling, Rogers does not raise his
voice; he instead gives up and ends the take. Upon reviewing the failed scene Mr Rogers decides not to reshoot.
Instead, he suggests to Lloyd that, “Children need to know that even when adults make plans, sometimes they don’t
turn out the way we hoped.” (Heller, 2019). Rogers is characterised as a positive representation of masculinity who,
rather than resorting to anger, uses failure as a lesson to adults and children alike. Plot is another crucial element
when discussing positive masculinity and its effect on characters in the film. In fact, Mr Rogers acts as a secondary
influence on the main character, Lloyd Vogel, a cynical and pessimistic news reporter. As the film progresses, the
kind and patient personality of Mr Rogers slowly breaks down the unhealthy masculinity and improves his work and
family relationships. One final narrative element regards the dialogue Rogers exchanges with Lloyd regarding the
lack of aggression Rogers demonstrates. When questioned about his struggles, Fred Rogers responds, “There’s no
normal life that’s free from pain.” Obviously, Rogers’ dialogue demonstrates his experiences regarding struggle,
suggesting that everyone experiences pain but what defines a man is his ability to deal with and react to his
emotions. Undoubtedly, Marielle Heller utilises a range of narrative techniques to clearly identify the true positive
masculinity embodied by Mr Rogers.
Technical elements, regarding lighting and sound design, play a critical role in conveying the emotions of characters
established throughout the movie. An obvious example includes interactions between
Lloyd Vogel and his father. At the beginning of the movie, when the father is introduced,
he is highlighted in bright blue light, appearing alien and out of place in the scene.
Accompanying the lighting, a high-pitched whine can be heard when Lloyd discusses his
father. However, as the movie continues and Lloyd’s bond with Mr Rogers grows, the
lighting effects and whine disappears. Not only does this scene represent Lloyd steadily
repairing his relationship with his father, but it demonstrates the effect of Mr Rogers’
positive masculinity in assisting others to overcome their toxic preconceptions regarding the role of a man. Truly,
technical elements utilised in Heller’s film are vital to enhancing her interpretation of positive masculinity through
Mr Rogers.
Rio O’Dwyer
10D English
Symbolic elements are a final aspect utilised by Marielle Heller to visualise the essence of positive masculinity. For
instance, Lloyd’s costuming utilises darker clothing which represents his darker,
more cynical views of the world. In contrast, Mr Rogers' bright red jumper refers to
his role as host of Mr Rogers’ Neighbourhood, whilst also reflecting his optimistic
perspective regarding life and masculinity. Moreover, the scene design surrounding
the entrance to Lloyd’s apartment, a dirty alleyway covered by trash, contrasts with
the clean and friendly home of Mr Rogers. The difference highlights the clutter and
toxicity of Lloyd’s masculinity in comparison to the organised and secure
masculinity of Mr Rogers. Thus, symbolic elements are vital to A Beautiful Day in
the Neighbourhood’s representation and contrast of cynical and optimistic interpretations surrounding masculinity.
Representations of masculinity are not limited to films, with modern advertisements demonstrating positive and
negative representations of a “real man.” One prominent figure in the masculine advertisement scene refers to the
battery company Duracell which produced an advert entitled, The Teddy Bear. (2015). The short video features an
army father who sent a Teddy Bear to his daughter, with a recording of his
voice. At first, the daughter embraces the toy happily. As time goes on, the
daughter becomes frustrated with the toy and the absence of her father,
being reluctant to speak with him online. In the final scene, the girl hears
her father's voice repeat the phrase “I love you baby girl.” The advert ends
as the pair share a loving embrace. Undoubtedly, this advertisement
demonstrates that the role of a father is not to protect his family physically
and economically; it is to be emotionally present for the betterment of
himself and his children. The advert stands out among many of its time due to the implication that a father does not
have to be an emotionally detached parent, who serves only to provide for this family. Instead, it bolsters the
message of positive masculinity through the love which the father and daughter share, most evident in the final
scene.
Unfortunately, several advertisements today utilise a negative
perspective of masculinity, to the detriment of men globally. One
prominent advertisement originates from the deodorant company
Old Spice, which released an advert entitled, “What Your Man Could
Smell Like.” Although the advert attempts to criticise hypermasculinity through comedy, its presentation demonstrates an
adverse effect upon the masculinity movement. The advert aims to
overwhelm the viewer through comedic dialogue and steadily
evolving scene design. In addition, the script satirises the modern
man by stating, “Sadly, he isn’t me. But if he stopped using lady scented body wash, and switched to Old Spice, he
could smell like he’s me.” This statement, alongside the slogan “Smell Like a Man, Man” suggests that men should
emulate a uniform figure and attitude, with their only defining feature being their hyper-masculine physical qualities.
Undoubtedly, Old Spice’s advertisements demonstrate a toxic interpretation of masculinity, despite its attempt to
satirise the topic through comedy.
Films and advertisements are vital to the demonstration of masculinity, for better and worse. A Beautiful Day in the
Neighbourhood by Marielle Heller and The Teddy Bear by Duracell, demonstrate a positive outlook upon masculinity
by highlighting the unconditional love and patience a man must show. In stark contrast, Old Spice’s advert, “What
Your Man Could Smell Like,” diminishes masculinity to a role of physical and monetary power. Luckily, these forms
of toxic masculinity are decreasing as the concept of a real man changes. Truly, the only way for masculinity to
succeed is for boys to be taught what a real man is, through the example of their fathers and role models. In Mr
Rogers’ own words, “Know that there is something deep inside, that helps us become what we can. For a girl can be
someday a lady, and a boy can be someday a man.”
Rio O’Dwyer
10D English
Bibliography:
A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood. 2019. [film] Directed by M. Heller. Hollywood: Tri-Star Pictures.
Duracell. (2016). Duracell - The Teddy Bear (2015). YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DV1aIGKm98c
Old
Spice.
(2010).
Old
Spice
|
The
Man
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owGykVbfgUE
Rio O’Dwyer
Your
Man
Could
Smell
Like.
YouTube.