Chinese American Masculinities: From Fu Manchu to Bruce Lee

by Jachinson Chan

Overview

This book is one of the first scholarly analyses of the current social constructions of Chinese American masculinities. Arguing that many of these notions are limited to stereotypes, Chan goes beyond this to present a more complex understanding of the topic. Incorporating historical references, literary analysis and sociological models to describe the construct a variety of masculine identities, Chan also examines popular novels (Fu Manchu and Charlie Chan), films (Bruce Lee), comic books (Master of Kung Fu), and literature (M. Butterfly).

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780815340294
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	07/16/2001
Series:	Studies in Asian Americans
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	196
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

Preface — Acknowledgments — Part One — 1. American Inheritance: Chinese American Male Identities — 2. Sax Rohmer’s Dr. Fu Manchu: Scrutinizing the Inscrutable — 3. Charlie Chan: A Model Minority Man — 4. Bruce Lee: A Sexualized Object of Desire — 5. Shang-Chi: Master of Kung Fu — Part Two — 6. From Boyhood to Manhood — 7. Toward a Masculinity of Inclusion — Epilogue: Contemporary Asian American Men’s Issues — Bibliography — Index.

Editorial Reviews

Ng (California State U.) examines various models of Chinese American masculinities and posits some alternatives that reflect his own personal search for an anti-sexist and anti-homophobic model of masculinity. By focusing on Chinese Americans, he pulls away from the homogenized concept implied by the term Asian Americans and argues for the historical specificity he believes is inherent in each group despite the similarities. The epilogue discusses contemporary Asian American men's issues. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

"...an important text...a valuable contribution to the growing scholarship on media and popular culture, masculinity and gender studies, cultural studies, and, of course, Asian and Asian American studies. Also original, and extremely useful for those interested innot just textual analysis but also in pedagogy and social change, is Chan's own thoughtful reflection on his own course." Journal of Asian Studies.

From the Publisher