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Title DISCURSIVE CONSTRUCTION OF MASCULINE IDENTITY IN POST-9/11 BLOCKBUSTER FILM DISCOURSE: AN ANALYTICAL STUDY

Author(s) Mr. Adnan Rashid Sheikh

Abstract ABSTRACT Title: Discursive Construction of Masculine Identity in Post-9/11 Blockbuster Film discourse: An Analytical Study Films are visual stories and construct different identities. According to some visual semioticians the filmic text enlarges language categories by fusing scenes, sounds and said words in a steady manner. Hollywood films, particularly post 9/11 blockbuster films echo geo-political and social realities. A seemingly entertaining yet escapist fictional superhero film carries serious underpinnings and suggestions for the public to take away. However, this thesis explores ways of seeing successful blockbusters as cultural and political barometer that can be applied to measure the extent of identity construction approved at a wider cultural and social level. This dissertation discovers how select superhero blockbuster films, post-9/11, are orbiting away from hyper-masculinity and circling more around more human male protagonist, flawed, and requiring assistance from stronger females, hence leading the humanity out of crisis. 5 Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU henceforth) films are explored for this purpose. In doing so certain parallels are drawn from 2 iconic Disney Comics productions (henceforth DC/Pixar) blockbuster animated films to find out how masculinity is being redefined and displayed differently in content meant for children consumption. This discursive construction of newer angles of gender identities are explored following Johan Galtung (2004) model. Also, the evolution of the New Man model, supported by Gilam and Wooden (2008) is also used. Both explicit and implicit construction of identities are investigated, while tracing and pinpoint the dialogical instances in selected films. The analysed data has helped in understanding how blockbuster film serve as a prism of emerging movements, aspirations, solutions, and life lessons that the audience hopes to resonate on screen. This dissertation focuses on how language gets these messages across to crowd.

Type Thesis/Dissertation PhD

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Department English

Language English

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