Men Beyond Desire

More about the book

The book delves into the portrayal of male sexuality in nineteenth-century American literature, revealing that male protagonists often prefer solitude over traditional relationships. Greven argues that these characters, including those from renowned authors like Hawthorne and Melville, seek to maintain emotional and sexual independence, challenging conventional notions of masculinity. The study uncovers unconventional depictions of desire, suggesting that these "inviolate" males disrupt established gender and sexual norms, prompting a reevaluation of American manhood and literary interpretation.