The self-image of subordinated masculinity in Vytautas Pliuraʼs poetry collection „Tenderness in Hell“

Abstract

Drawing on sociologist Raewyn Connell’s theory of masculinities, this article analyzes re-presentations of subordinate masculinity in Vytautas Pliura’s poetry collection “Tenderness in Hell” (2021). It presents the hierarchical distribution of normative and subordinate masculinities: the observed tension between an environment that recognizes heterosexuality and subjects who do not conform to the norm becomes the basis for the analysis of the poems. The paper investigates on what basis the relationship with normative masculinity becomes problematic in the poetry of Pliura, and how this affects the portrayal of homosexuality. The analysis showed that representations of normative masculinity are particularly significant for the self-image of the subordinated subject. It was noted that the dominant feature of normative masculinity is heterosexuality. The author’s position as an activist directly influences the subject’s view of normative masculinity and of himself as a subordinated individual.