Abstract:
This study performs a critical analysis of the representation of Afrikaner and
British masculinity in the first season of the South African War (1899-1902)
television series Arende (1989-1993). The study first identifies key concepts in
both western identity and masculinity and then moves on to build an historical
theoretical base from which season one is analysed. This theoretical base is
created through the assimilation of historical sources dealing with masculinity and
masculine events from both the Afrikaners and the British.
In order to provide a suitable foundation for the investigation into masculinity, the
study first briefly explores the concept of identity and how it manifests in both the
Afrikaner and British society represented in the first season of Arende. This was
done by using a psychological model designed by Roy F Baumeister (1986) which
involves both individual and societal identity. Identity as a social construct is also
investigated, and the question why identity matters in society is discussed
Arguments for a structuralist semiotic approach to identity in a particular society
are presented.
In dealing with the overview of dominant western masculinity a number of key
terms were identified and discussed. These include patriarchy, the female body
and masculine control, social labelling, gender order and ‘women watching,’ the
family unit, division of labour and public and private space, hegemonic masculinity
and the male hero. After this overview, the study conducted an assimilation
exercise into historic Afrikaner and British masculinity during the time before and
after the South African War. This discussion centres on a number of points
dealing with both societies, namely the model male, male military tradition,
masculine rebels/outcasts and other masculine issues, and male relations with
women.
The final part of this study involves the analysis of the masculine theory,
generated in the previous chapter, on the Arende text. This was done by selecting six characters from each of the two societies in season one and describing how
they represent themselves in a masculine manner (or not).
