CHAPTER IV FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION
B. Factors that Construct the Main Character’s Hegemonic Masculinity
side of the main character, such as biological factor and cultural factors, which are the basis for making hegemonic masculinity itself, with detailed discussion as follows:
1. Biological Factor
As stated by Wharton (2005), biological factors are the building blocks of hegemonic masculinity by affecting behavior in the social environment around them. In this section, the evidence is found as the building factor that influences hegemonic masculinity from the biological side shown by Gerard as the main character. Furthermore, the first data was found when Gerard met the Baron for the first time, with details as below.
Several bottles were scattered over it. At the head of it, and facing us, there sat a huge man with a lion-like head and a great shock of orange-coloured hair. His beard was of the same glaring hue; matted and tangled and coarse as a horse's mane. I have seen some strange faces in my time, but never one more brutal than that, with its small, vicious, blue eyes, its white, crumpled cheeks, and the thick, hanging lip which protruded over his monstrous beard. (The Exploits of Brigadier Gerard, p. 12)
The data snippet above begins with Gerard's meeting with Duroc by accident. In short, Duroc asks Gerard to help meet the Baron as revenge for his family.Meanwhile, the depiction of the biological factors that influence Gerard occurs when Gerard first meets the Baron. Moreover, Gerard felt a little surprised and inferior after seeing Baron stature, who has a huge body, coupled with the support a scary face that Baron has. It also was proved when Gerard said, “I have seen some strange faces in my time, but never one more brutal than that, with its small, vicious, blue eyes, its white, crumpled cheeks, and the thick, hanging lip
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which protruded over his monstrous beard.”. Then, with what Gerard said above, it can be seen that a man's biological factors can influence the form of fear towards the subordination of the same gender. This can happen because of the power relations often carried out by hegemonic men, such as the Baron to Gerard.
You must know, then, that at the time of the Treaty of Tilsit I was a simple lieutenant in the 10th Hussars, without money or interest. It is true that my appearance and my gallantry were in my favour, and that I had already won a reputation as being one of the best swordsmen in the army; but amongst the host of brave men who surrounded the Emperor it needed more than this to insure a rapid career. I was confident, however, that my chance would come, though I never dreamed that it would take so remarkable a form. (The Exploits of Brigadier Gerard, p. 24 and 25)
Other evidence of the depiction of biological factors is when Gerard told himself at the beginning of his career that he had. By still being a lieutenant in a certain regiment. However, he already had a good reputation as one of the regiment's reliable field experts. Although he explained that swordsmanship alone wasn't enough to get the quick promotion he wanted.
Meanwhile, an example of depiction with the above data from biological factors can be shown when Gerard makes claims against himself. Further, Gerard said that appearance and valor greatly benefited him. One of them is the assumption that he can play swords with his physical help. In line with what Wharton (2005) said that biological factors could influence the behavior and nature of a man.
'Then we'll see who can play at it best,' he cried, pulling out his sword.
I had drawn mine also, but I was quite determined not to hurt this admirable young man who had been my benefactor.
'Consider,' said I, 'you say that I am your prisoner. I might with equal reason say that you are mine. We are alone here, and though I have no doubt that you are an excellent swordsman, you can hardly hope to hold your own against the best blade in the six light cavalry brigades.'
His answer was a cut at my head. I parried and shore off half of his white plume. He thrust at my breast. I turned his point and cut away the other half of his cockade. (The Exploits of Brigadier Gerard, p. 65)
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The biological factors in the data snippet above started when Gerard was free from the captives. By getting help to be free from one of the soldiers from England named Bart. Bart is also a swordsman who is quite reliable, just like Gerard. But Gerard didn't want to use his skill in playing the sword against the person who had saved him..
Meanwhile, on the other hand, Gerard also describes the biological side that he has to show that he has greater strength than Bart. The representation of the biological side shown by Gerard is reflected when Gerrad shows the scar on his head. With the intention that Bart should not fight himself who has strength and skills better than Bart. Gerard uses this biological side to make his opponent willing to obey him. Therefore, this is a way for hegemonic masculinity to outperform others or the same genders who have less power than themselves.
2. Cultural Factor
Cultural factors that are synonymous with hegemonic masculinity. Again, cultural factors can determine how the surrounding social environment views hegemonic masculinity. In the data analysis example below, Gerard shows how culture responds to the hegemonic masculinity that exists in him, such as his clothes, his swords skill, and others. The first data shows evidence of cultural influence on the visual side displayed at that time with the relationship between Gerard and the local people, as follows.
“You may think, then, how I carried myself in my five-and-twentieth year—I, Etienne Gerard, the picked horseman and surest blade in the ten regiments of hussars. Blue was our colour in the Tenth—a sky-blue dolman and pelisse with a scarlet front—and it was said of us in the army that we could set a whole population running, the women towards us, and the men away.” (The Exploits of Brigadier Gerard, p.3 and 4)
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In the data above, Gerard introduces himself more clearly, such as his career as a soldier during the French revolution. In case of Gerard explains the things that soldiers liked and admired at that time by showing his pride in taking care of horses and wearing luxurious French soldiers attributes.
Either, the evidence of cultural factors shown by the main character above is the feeling of pride and arrogance with what Gerard has in himself, including how the clothes he wears as a representation of a power by the cultural aspect that appears visually so that other groups such as residents who are the target of the expansion feel scared by just looking at the appearance of Gerard and his troops. In line with what Connell and Messerschmidt (2005) said, the concept of masculinity is included in the scope related to male control over the social wheel.
It was Colonel Lasalle's accidental presence at the moment when I received the summons which led to my choosing one of his hussars for the mission. I selected you, Monsieur Gerard, because I wanted a man who could handle a sword, and who would not pry more deeply into the affair than I desired. I trust that, in this respect, you will justify my choice as well as you have done in your bravery and skill.' (The Exploits of Brigadier Gerard, p. 44)
An example of the representation of cultural factors above is when Gerard received a summons from Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. It was started by
Colonel Lassale who the Emperor ordered to find one person who had expertise in the sword and did not interfere in the affairs of the other emperors.
The depiction of cultural factors occurred when Colonel Lasale, Gerard's direct superior, finally chose Gerard as the emperor's chosen person later.
Correlating with it, culture is described by Gerard's ability to play swords without being busy doing other things. So that culture can be interpreted by social
stereotypes that people with expertise in certain fields will easily get a place or
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something. Thus, culture in this context helped Gerard get the opportunity to raise his rank.
'I'll lay you nine to four you do,' he cried, as he made at me, sword in hand.
But those words of his put something new into my head. Could we not decide the matter in some better way than fighting? The Bart was placing me in such a position that I should have to hurt him, or he would certainly hurt me. I avoided his rush, though his sword-point was within an inch of my neck.
'I have a proposal,' I cried. 'We shall throw dice as to which is the prisoner of the other.' He smiled at this. It appealed to his love of sport.
'Where are your dice?' he cried.
'I have none.'
'Nor I. But I have cards.' (The Exploits of Brigadier Gerard, p. 65 and 66)
Cultural factors can be used as a reference to show hegemonic masculinity in several aspects of life. One of them is done by Gerard and Bart. Further, Gerard and Bart are unable to find common ground to solve their problems. Gerard wanted to solve the problem without violence. Meanwhile, Bart wants Gerard to have a one-on-one sword duel with him.
The cultural representation in the data above is illustrated by the culture of both parties, who think playing dice or cards can show their hegemonic masculine side. Therefore, with the victory won by Gerard, he can show dominance over his opponents. Then the cultural side can assume that the culture of playing dice or cards is a way to show someone's superiority that makes the most sense compared to violence.
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CHAPTER V
CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION
This last section contains conclusions from the discussion and suggestions for future researchers. Furthermore, the conclusion session can be intended to summarize the results of the discussions that the researcher in the previous chapter has carried out. In addition, suggestions provide information related to research findings for academic purposes and future researchers who use the same theory.
A. Conclusion
After the analysis that the researcher carried out, it can be concluded that Gerard, as the main character showed several characteristics and factors closely related to the hegemonic masculinity theory. The first characteristic is power, Gerard, in this book, is one of the great Brigadiers chosen by Emperor Napoleon, with the power and expertise he has, Gerard can dominate men or women who are weaker than him. The second is the authority that became the foundation for Gerard to have a line of command to govern his subordinates. The third is aggression, which is Gerard's most prominent characteristic because Gerard often gets into many fights, so he has to use aggression that leads to violence against his enemies.
The fourth is heterosexuality, Gerard doesn't display these characteristics, but it gets to know him to have relationships with women in every place or mission he has completed.
Next are the factors that build the hegemonic masculinity of Gerard as the main character. The first is the biological factor, with this factor Gerard can be
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considered by his subordinates to be able to lead the Hussar regiment and can be loved by many women because Gerard has a handsome face and stature. The second is the cultural factor, which has a big role in building Gerard's hegemonic character.
Indeed, Gerard is highly respected and feared by his enemies, because of the stereotypes attached to his appearance and the way Gerard presents himself to the public.
B. Suggestion
Based on the results of the discussion above, it can be concluded that the combined theory of hegemonic masculinity owned by Connell, Mills, and Wharton is suitable for researching a literary work, especially on the object of the novel "Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Exploits of Brigadier Gerard". In line with that, this theory can also be used on several topics of the same masculinity, useful as a reference to explain the perspective of hegemonic masculinity itself. Therefore, the researcher suggests that the theory of hegemonic masculinity from Connell, Mills, and Wharton can be used in several aspects that are more specific and have not been widely studied. In addition, the researcher also believes that future researchers should use several references in an academic scope, and they will use objects from
"Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Exploits of Brigadier Gerard" to analyze the problems of this novel more deeply.
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