An Analysis of Connell's Theory of Hegemonic Masculinity in The Bull and She Devil by Zaib Un Nissa Hamidullah

Abstract

Hegemonic masculinity is a critical theory proposed by Raewyn Connell  which analyses literary texts by according to toxic patriarchy and the supremacy of male dominance over female. Insulting a woman is counted in male honor. The present study is a Hegemonic Masculinity of The Bull and the She Devil (1958), a short story written by Zaibunnisa Hamidullah, a Well know Pakistani feminist writer, who made a best contribution in the early years of Pakistani English literature. Her father was the first person who translated Allah Iqbal poetry in Bengali. The story, taken from her collection of short stories titled The Young Wife and Other Stories (1958), deals with the suppression of female in a repressed patriarchal society. This analysis focus on why the man became toxic, first thing is male should be harsh and rigid for proving himself a man, the female should be consider as a puppet for him. In the story the Ghulam Qadir was too rude to Shirin. Even he had lots of doubt regarding his wife. In the start Amna put him in a square that Shirin will be his slave and he will be her master. He consider he as her property. The study concludes that the author through her deep work, simple yet, her writing style is able to effectively deal with a taboo subject without being too explicit.