Partial deconstruction of hegemonic masculinity in the story “Los hombres no lloran” (1972) by Fabián Dobles

Abstract

This article examines hegemonic or traditional masculinity in the protagonist of the short story titled “Los hombres no lloran” (Men do not cry) (1972) by the Costa Rican writer Fabián Dobles. Once Mr. Damián’s masculine identity has been characterized, the reason and the process by which a partial deconstruction of his masculinity occurs in the private is described. As an opposing character to Mr. Damián, Mr. Leandro Carpio appears in the text as a representative of the new masculinity, with which Dobles (1972) illustrates not only the silent suffering of “real men”, but also an alternative to exercise a masculine identity in a more harmonious way with himself and the family.