Russian Masculinities I: Imperial Masculinities

Session Submission Type: Panel

Brief Description

As part of a series of panels on Russian masculinity, this panel considers Russian imperial masculinities. We address how the Crimean War as a conflict that Russia lost shook Russian conceptions of masculinity, both for the empire's leaders but also among its subjects. We then consider the late nineteenth century exhaustion with traditional masculinities. We address how Tolstoy positions the imperial army as an institution that inflicts violence not only through war against its “enemies,” and pushes for a part abolitionist and part secessionist masculinity that would seek withdrawal from social institutions which he associated with state violence and force.

Sub Unit

• Gender/LGBTQ Studies

Chair

• Victoria Y. Thorstensson, Carleton College

Papers

• Military Medical Masculinity in the Crimean War - Steven G Jug, Baylor U

• Masculinity, Force, and Colonial Conquest in Tolstoy's 'Hadji Murat' - Ani Kokobobo, U of Louisiana at Lafayette

Discussant

• Julie A. Cassiday, Williams College