This thesis examines theoretical paradigms within men and masculinities studies
(MMS), introducing a new materialist lens through the work of Elizabeth Grosz and
Brian Massumi. Two affective dimensions of MMS are explored through the application
of this new materialist lens: the affect of wonder and flat affect. These two concepts can
be understood as expressions of Spinoza’s two types of affects; joyful affects, or those
affects that increase a body’s capacity for movement, and sad affects, or those affects that
decrease a body’s capacity for movement. The affect of wonder, a joyful affect, is
theorized in conversation with antiviolence and therapeutic masculinity initiatives. Flat
affect, a sad affect, is theorized in conversation with Canadian men’s suicide rates. This
thesis argues that dominant forms of masculinity orient subjects away from wonder and
towards an unlivable state characterized by flat affect. Men and masculinities studies
theory lacks applied engagement with affect, and this thesis contributes to efforts to
address this lack. / Graduate
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:uvic.ca/oai:dspace.library.uvic.ca:1828/8847 |
| Date | 08 December 2017 |
| Creators | Bethune, Stephanie |
| Contributors | Garlick, Steve |
| Source Sets | University of Victoria |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Rights | Available to the World Wide Web |
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