Theorising Male Virginity in Popular Romance Novels
Although the virginal female heroine is a standard trope in popular romance fiction, the male virgin in popular romance novels has yet to be studied or theorised. This study therefore seeks to explore and theorise the male virgin in heterosexual popular romance novels. Initially, I demonstrate at le...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
International Association for the Study of Popular Romance (IASPR)
2011-10-01
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| Series: | Journal of Popular Romance Studies |
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| Online Access: | https://www.jprstudies.org/2011/10/theorising-male-virginity/ |
| _version_ | 1827352917333508096 |
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| author | Jonathan A. Allan |
| author_facet | Jonathan A. Allan |
| author_sort | Jonathan A. Allan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Although the virginal female heroine is a standard trope in popular romance fiction, the male virgin in popular romance novels has yet to be studied or theorised. This study therefore seeks to explore and theorise the male virgin in heterosexual popular romance novels. Initially, I demonstrate at least four “types” of male virgins: the sickly virgin, the student virgin, the genius virgin, and the virgin as commodity. I conclude this theoretical groundwork by considering Eloisa James’ When the Duke Returns, which brings together each of these “types” of male virginity. Ultimately, I argue that male virginity in romance fiction is complex and is distinct from other treatments of male virginity in other popular media. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T03:14:01Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-aa124165b01a4fc68a47c9d36b9e11cf |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2159-4473 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T03:14:01Z |
| publishDate | 2011-10-01 |
| publisher | International Association for the Study of Popular Romance (IASPR) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Popular Romance Studies |
| spelling | doaj.art-aa124165b01a4fc68a47c9d36b9e11cf2024-02-12T19:20:43ZengInternational Association for the Study of Popular Romance (IASPR)Journal of Popular Romance Studies2159-44732011-10-0121114Theorising Male Virginity in Popular Romance NovelsJonathan A. Allan Although the virginal female heroine is a standard trope in popular romance fiction, the male virgin in popular romance novels has yet to be studied or theorised. This study therefore seeks to explore and theorise the male virgin in heterosexual popular romance novels. Initially, I demonstrate at least four “types” of male virgins: the sickly virgin, the student virgin, the genius virgin, and the virgin as commodity. I conclude this theoretical groundwork by considering Eloisa James’ When the Duke Returns, which brings together each of these “types” of male virginity. Ultimately, I argue that male virginity in romance fiction is complex and is distinct from other treatments of male virginity in other popular media.https://www.jprstudies.org/2011/10/theorising-male-virginity/virginitymale virginitymasculinityjonathan a. allanpopular romanceeloisa james |
| spellingShingle | Jonathan A. Allan Theorising Male Virginity in Popular Romance Novels Journal of Popular Romance Studies virginity male virginity masculinity jonathan a. allan popular romance eloisa james |
| title | Theorising Male Virginity in Popular Romance Novels |
| title_full | Theorising Male Virginity in Popular Romance Novels |
| title_fullStr | Theorising Male Virginity in Popular Romance Novels |
| title_full_unstemmed | Theorising Male Virginity in Popular Romance Novels |
| title_short | Theorising Male Virginity in Popular Romance Novels |
| title_sort | theorising male virginity in popular romance novels |
| topic | virginity male virginity masculinity jonathan a. allan popular romance eloisa james |
| url | https://www.jprstudies.org/2011/10/theorising-male-virginity/ |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jonathanaallan theorisingmalevirginityinpopularromancenovels |