Throughout the semester, our class has read various works in the noir genre, all of which center around a male protagonist. This prompted me to think, is the exploration of masculinity a part of the noir genre? Although we have yet to read an example of noir which centers around a female protagonist, I would argue that the noir genre is not necessarily about the exploration of masculinity, but an exploration of identity and power dynamics. However, until we read an example of noir in which the protagonist is female, my definition remains that an aspect of noir is an examination of masculinity.
What is masculinity in the noir genre? Throughout the semester we have read a variation of books, all spanning different timelines, and throughout history, the definition of what it means to be a man has shifted. First, we were introduced to Sam Spade, who embodied everything it meant to be masculine. He was strong, he didn’t need to use a gun. He made women swoon. He was good-looking and devilish. This is a complete contrast from a character like Bob, who wanted to be seen as a man, but his masculinity, or lack thereof, was directly associated with his race as a black man in the 1940s. Then there is the pimp in Black Pulp Fiction and the Making of a Literary Underground, who was flamboyant and dressed in a way that was not the typical depiction of what it meant to be “a man” in the 1970s. It is evident that the depiction of masculinity and what it means to be a man has changed throughout time; however, one thing that has remained constant is power and exerting power over others.
From Sam Spade to King David, the conception of masculinity has centered around exerting power over others, either through physical means or financially. In The Maltese Falcon, Sam Spade shows his masculinity through his calm and collected manner in addition to using force against the less masculine Joel Cairo. Rarely in The Maltese Falcon do we see power being used against Spade or someone having the upper hand on him physically. Spade retains his power over others.
In a similar vein, the pimp, which we discussed in class and in Black Pulp Fiction and the Making of a Literary Underground is the antithesis of the typical masculinity displayed by Sam Spade in The Maltese Falcon. He dresses flamboyantly and doesn’t need to use his physicality to prove it. Instead, he simply wields his power, money, and control over women to exude masculinity, which also makes people want to be him and admire him. Power is central to this admiration.
Finally, with the example of King David, his masculinity, which Paul comes to admire for a moment is centered around his ability to manipulate others in order to get what he wants, whether that be women or money. Paul is enticed by King David’s life and the way he uses power to get what he wanted: “King David has been one hell of a man, he reflected…” (150).
The idea that being a man and masculinity are centered around power has not changed today, but I think it also shows that being a man is not just one thing, but a product of a power dynamic and having control over others, which for a majority of history has been a right exclusive to men. I am curious to see in the books which have a female protagonist if men still have the power and control, which we have seen to be typical throughout the semester.