Masculinity in Boys Love Novels Published on Fictionlog

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate masculinity as presented through gay male protagonists in stories published on the online platform Fictionlog. Four ‘boys love’ novels were selected based on their having the highest readership and sales, leading to their ranking as top hits of all time on Fictionlog. Data were summarized using descriptive analysis and analyzed using a framework of masculinity conceptualized by Richmond-Abbott, Marie (1992).

Representations of masculinity in the novels appeared in similar proportions of ‘traditional male’ and ‘new male’, with seven attributes fitting the former category and six the latter. Traditional male attributes included: having physical strength, having a disinclination to expose emotional vulnerability, taking pleasure in associating with other men, making connections based on masculinity, marrying out of obligation, valuing sex, and having
a discriminatory attitude toward women. In terms of new male attributes, elements included: having life successes, being emotionally vulnerable, having the ability to associate with women, having interactions with the opposite sex in a supportive manner, marrying out of love, and practicing gender equality. These findings on masculinity in boys love novels are compelling, as the novels’ representations are comparable and consistent with masculinity as it tends to manifest in Thai society. In the novels, traditional forms of masculinity were maintained by creating gay male protagonists with conventional male attributes while also combining such qualities with aspects of new masculinity that are a product of social change. This led to more diversity among the protagonists and helped them to seem more realistic or consistent with what one might encounter in general in Thai society.