The Fragility of Manhood

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The book explores Nathaniel Hawthorne's critique of American male identity through the lenses of psychoanalytic and queer theory. David Greven highlights how Hawthorne's portrayal of normative masculinity relies on deceptive images of wholeness, revealing male narcissism as both defining and undermining heterosexual authority. The analysis extends to Hawthorne's works, including "Rappaccini's Daughter" and "The Blithedale Romance," illustrating the fragility of masculinity and its implications for female and queer identities. Greven also examines the connections between Hawthorne and Herman Melville, emphasizing their shared themes and artistic influences.