El Desafío

Vargas Llosa. El Desafío
S. Cruz.  Subjetividad Masculina

After reading the final section of Salvador Cruz Sierra's text titled "Subjetividad masculina", consider how Vargas Llosa's text "El desafio" can be read as a representation of this concept as it is described by Cruz Sierra.
Look for details to help: You should closely consider elements of form such as the descriptive language used, the names, the narrative structure and the characters present in the different scenes.
Post to blog.
In El Desafío a great deal of masculine dominance and stereotypes can be read throughout the story. The power and authority of men is implicit as no women are (relevantly) mentioned and is as if all conflicts were about the position each the men fight for within the rank of men (higher position than women). The ones being more “manly” are higher in this vertical sense of power.

In Masculinidades, Salvador Cruz Sierra describes what it means, specifically in latin culture, to be a man and its characteristics attributed to both genders, women and men.
Masculinity consists in a way of social dominance over women based on the sexual differences.
He expreses the hierarchy of men when he said “la masculinidad es un ordenamiento social que posibilita a ciertos sujetos ubicarse en una posición de control, autoridad y privilegios en las relaciones sociales”.
I believe this is the point where terms and certain links begin to intertwine and mix falsely. Being in this category of men comes with authority and being in control, not only over women but possibly everything else around,  because of the system we live in. This is very different but frequently confused to the idea that because one has power or control one is more of a man.
I am a man, therefore I am in control (patriarchal system)
I am in control, therefore I am a man (???) (ideology)

Men are, even though privileged in opportunities, their actions are forever tied and measured in a scale of manliness. “Masculinidad que protesta” was described by Cruz as lower class men, unemployed or working class who have lost most of their dividends, are marginalized and stigmatized.
How does this work? According to Cruz, unequal relations in the interior a group of men makes some of them excersice power over the others. So, even when not in control or complete dominance they are not deprived from their man stereotypes. This can be clearly felt in the story El Desafio, the men there do not belong to a rich or high social class or enjoy the privileges many other men do but are not extent to the fight for control.
This can be interpreted in the story when they want to fight to prove who has control over the other, who is a bigger man. As if, when fighting they are not only fighting for their life but for their masculinity.

Expressing one’s feelings and/or showing emotion has been long considered proper of a woman. Whereas, men who open up are considered femenine, less of a man and homosexuals, the worst offense a “man” could receive. In the story, there is a constant tension and we can perceive how nobody wanted to be in that situation of having a friend or being the one who has to fight “El Cojo”. They are preoccupied for their friend, and it can be fairly assumed Justo is scared of what might happen but does not back down or run away. Right before the fight he reserves and does not say anything that might make him seem vulnerable. Justo does not express his feelings or fear of having to fight “El Cojo” not even with his friends. His friends, similarly try to make him feel safe by trying to look as relaxed and IN CONTROL of their feelings and the situation as much as they could.

Violence, on the other hand, has been seen as an identity element belonging to men. It has been mainly directed towards women but also as war, delinquency, organized crime and fights.
El Desafio is all about this, the violence in relation to how powerful one is. It is mentioned how nobody wants to get in the way of “El Cojo” and even less fight him. We can assume he is a violent man and/or is known to be good at fighting and is therefore respected.

Some phrases supporting these ideas can be found in the story. Most insults or motivation given surrounds manliness.

“Agáchate, pisa firme... Ya, vaya, pórtese como un hombre…”
This is said to Justo right before fighting El Cojo.

“El Cojo es un asco de hombre.”

-¿Eres muy hombre? -gritó el Cojo.
-Más que tú -gritó Justo.

-Ya nos íbamos -dijo.
-Pensábamos que Justito había ido a la comisaría a pedir que lo cuidaran.
(Insulting him and his manliness, as a “man” does not ask for help..)

-Quiero entenderme con un hombre -grité, sin responderle. -No con este muñeco.