Textual Poaching

For decades, Ernest Hemingway has been a definitive example of the male American writer. He has become in a way a male role-model, exemplifying many traits that Americans consider to be masculine. Many of his stories explore the struggles of masculinity and self-worth, and many argue, give insight into the man's personal struggle with defining what it means to be a man and a father. His work has been very influential, particularly to male artists. It is arguable that Wes Anderson in many ways pays tribute to, as well as explores, Ernest Hemingway through his character Steve Zissou. Steve Zissou has become an iconic figure of masculinity struggling to define self-worth and manhood. His beanie has become a subcultural symbol of his character. When I think of the way that masculinity is portrayed in modern media, I am typically confronted with a womanizing action-star, or a muscle enraged fighter. Wes's approach to portraying men, though error ridden and vice afflicted, has been much closer to my experience of what it means to be a man. His character's redeeming traits are always that they eventually acknowledge their flaws and confront them. Similarly to Ernest Hemingway's characters who would confront their oppositions bravely and nobly. When crafting my textually poached image, I was inspired by the Kalman photos found in our text. I thought they were particularly effective at questioning our view of the male celebrity and femininity. My piece explores the relationship between Hemingway's legacy as an artist, and the subsequent results of his influence on the definition of masculinty, both on Anderson, as well as on me as a young male writer and filmmaker.