In “Miguel Street” by V.S. Naipaul, the recurring theme of masculinity, specifically interpersonal masculinity, is portrayed throughout the text. This portrayal is given throughout the text in various literary forms, such as narration, as someone who is perceived to be a young man subtly shares his views and speaks about what he observes, as well as through the dialogues of different characters in the book. Thus, through the use of these devices, the author was not only able to highlight the ideologies centered around masculinity but also how societal expectations impacted these male characters. 

One form of positive masculinity that can be seen throughout the text is Brotherhood. In chapter one, we see the brotherly relationship between Bogart and Hat. Every morning, Hat and Bogart exchange greetings, shouting, “What’s happening there, Bogart?” (V.S. Naipaul, 1) almost playfully. Bogart returns the greeting to Hat with a grumble. This interaction shows the sibling-like dynamic between the two. 

Some may see the exchange between the individuals as small or insignificant; however, when one morning comes, Hat does not hear Bogart return his greeting, he and the others become concerned. The text states, “The men in the street were silent and sorrowful for two

days. They assembled in Bogart’s little room. Hat lifted the deck of cards that·lay on Bogart’s table and dropped two or three cards at a time reflectively” (V.S. Naipaul, 3). This not only shows how much they miss Bogart but also how they value his presence. 

Additionally, Hats asks about his disappearance, saying, “’You think he has gone to Venezuela?” and the following morning, when he “was on the point of shouting, when he remembered. He milked the cows earlier than usual that morning, and the cows didn’t like it,” (V.S. Naipaul, 3) revealing how Bogart’s presence was so significant that when he disappeared, it caused a shift in Hat’s daily routine. Therefore, the masculine values displayed here are how these men were seen to be their “brother’s keeper.” 

However, the toxic masculinity in chapter one is seen through the way in which Bogart acts. As Bogart became more famous and popular throughout Port of Spain, and young men began adopting his “boiled Bogartian attitude” his ego grew exponentially and he always tried to impress his peers. An example is seen when he pops up out of nowhere after his disappearance and finishes a whole bottle of rum in one sitting then tells Hat and the others “Don’t worry…’I go buy another, “ (V.S. Naipaul, 5). His actions show how much of a superiority complex he has as he tries to assert his dominance in a way, showing how “tough of a man” he is by drinking such an enormous amount of alcohol and also dismisses the disgusting behaviour by saying he’ll buy another one. Thus, this conveys how toxic masculinity can also present itself in the form of being egotistical.

Moreover, Bogart also engages in pretentious behaviour, as he tells his peers about where he went saying, he got a ship, he became a cowboy and he was running the best brothel in town when the police came and arrested him. However, when Bogart got arrested and charged with bigamy the actual cause of his disappearances come to light, and it is unveiled that he left his wife to be with another woman because they couldn’t have children, when Eddoes asks why he did that Hats response is “To be a man, among we men” (V.S. Naipaul, 7). Consequently we see how Bogart’s attempts to maintain his masculine status in this society causes him to act out and affects his relationships not only with his peers but also his marital relations in a very destructive way. 

Ultimately, sharing and analyzing these types of literature stories helps us to understand and explore the ways in which societal issues like masculinity is portrayed in different cultures and societies and how these individual experience shared in literary form are different and/or similar to the ones we have come to experience in our own lives hence, it expands our horizons and opens us up to new way of thinking. 

Naipaul, V. S. (Vidiadhar Surajprasad). Miguel Street. Heinemann Educational Books, 1980.