Comparative Analysis of Male Homosociality in Eastern and Western Literature: Examining D. H. Lawrence's “Women in Love” and Yukio Mishima's “Patriotism”

Abstract

            This article is going to make a comparative analysis of the values of male homosociality in D. H. Lawrence’s “Women in Love” and Yuko Mishima’s “Patriotism”, investigating what it signifies through the interactions between male protagonist and other men based on different cultures and historical backgrounds of eastern and western. The study also delves into homosexuality, which is naturally engaged when male characters form strong ties, and also looks at the role of women and religious influences on the institutionality of the male-male realm. The comparison reveals that male homosociality in eastern culture and western culture are ironically exposed. In eastern culture, it did not segregate females, clinging to the strong taboo of Confucianism that males and females are human fertilities. However, in this strong taboo system, male homosociality seems to be tighter — leveraging to homosexuality implication. Conversely, male homosociality is allowed on the surface of western society, which provides a vibrant environment for men to coexist while separating women into a separate area. Nonetheless, it demonstrates how male homosociality is only acknowledged on the superficial level. Male homosexuality is dissolved; no hint is found in the text. In conclusion, it is an intriguing point of view to perceive irony in two distinct works from different parts of the world.