Toxic masculinity and female objectification: an analysis of Charles Bukowski's novel Mulheres

Abstract

This article provides a analysis of Charles Bukowski's Women, addressing key issues related to toxic masculinity and female objectification. Drawing on Connell's (1995) and Kimmel (2015) concept of toxic masculinity, the study examines how the male characters' behaviors and attitudes are shaped by deep-seated beliefs in male superiority, reflecting a culture that values domination and control over women. Using Hall's (1997) theories of representation and identity, the analysis highlights how the depiction of women in literature not only mirrors societal stereotypes but also perpetuates patriarchal ideologies. Bukowski's portrayal of women as objectified and often dehumanized reinforces these ideologies, hindering the deconstruction of oppressive gender norms. Furthermore, the article engages with bell hooks (2000) on gender-based violence and female objectification as manifestations of structural inequalities and Federici (2012) on the exploitation of women’s labor. These discussions expand the understanding of how literature serves as both a reflection of social realities and a mechanism for sustaining or resisting oppressive structures. The article concludes that Bukowski's Women exemplifies how literature not only reflects but actively contributes to the maintenance of gender norms that uphold male dominance.