Fidel Castro and Revolutionary Masculinity
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University of Kentucky UKnowledge Theses and Dissertations--Hispanic Studies Hispanic Studies 2012 Deconstructing an Icon: Fidel Castro and Revolutionary Masculinity Krissie Butler University of Kentucky, [email protected] Right click to open a feedback form in a new tab to let us know how this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Butler, Krissie, "Deconstructing an Icon: Fidel Castro and Revolutionary Masculinity" (2012). Theses and Dissertations--Hispanic Studies. 10. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hisp_etds/10 This Doctoral Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Hispanic Studies at UKnowledge. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations--Hispanic Studies by an authorized administrator of UKnowledge. For more information, please contact [email protected]. STUDENT AGREEMENT: I represent that my thesis or dissertation and abstract are my original work. Proper attribution has been given to all outside sources. I understand that I am solely responsible for obtaining any needed copyright permissions. I have obtained and attached hereto needed written permission statements(s) from the owner(s) of each third-party copyrighted matter to be included in my work, allowing electronic distribution (if such use is not permitted by the fair use doctrine). I hereby grant to The University of Kentucky and its agents the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible my work in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. I agree that the document mentioned above may be made available immediately for worldwide access unless a preapproved embargo applies. I retain all other ownership rights to the copyright of my work. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of my work. I understand that I am free to register the copyright to my work. REVIEW, APPROVAL AND ACCEPTANCE The document mentioned above has been reviewed and accepted by the student’s advisor, on behalf of the advisory committee, and by the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS), on behalf of the program; we verify that this is the final, approved version of the student’s dissertation including all changes required by the advisory committee. The undersigned agree to abide by the statements above. Krissie Butler, Student Dr. Susan Carvalho, Major Professor Dr. Susan Larson, Director of Graduate Studies University of Kentucky UKnowledge Theses and Dissertations--Hispanic Studies Hispanic Studies 2012 Deconstructing an Icon: Fidel Castro and Revolutionary Masculinity Krissie Butler University of Kentucky, [email protected] Recommended Citation Butler, Krissie, "Deconstructing an Icon: Fidel Castro and Revolutionary Masculinity" (2012). Theses and Dissertations--Hispanic Studies. Paper 10. http://uknowledge.uky.edu/hisp_etds/10 This Doctoral Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Hispanic Studies at UKnowledge. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations--Hispanic Studies by an authorized administrator of UKnowledge. For more information, please contact [email protected]. STUDENT AGREEMENT: I represent that my thesis or dissertation and abstract are my original work. Proper attribution has been given to all outside sources. I understand that I am solely responsible for obtaining any needed copyright permissions. I have obtained and attached hereto needed written permission statements(s) from the owner(s) of each third‐party copyrighted matter to be included in my work, allowing electronic distribution (if such use is not permitted by the fair use doctrine). I hereby grant to The nivU ersity of Kentucky and its agents the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible my work in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. I agree that the document mentioned above may be made available immediately for worldwide access unless a preapproved embargo applies. I retain all other ownership rights to the copyright of my work. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of my work. I understand that I am free to register the copyright to my work. REVIEW, APPROVAL AND ACCEPTANCE The document mentioned above has been reviewed and accepted by the student’s advisor, on behalf of the advisory committee, and by the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS), on behalf of the program; we verify that this is the final, approved version of the student’s dissertation including all changes required by the advisory committee. The undersigned agree to abide by the statements above. Krissie Butler, Student Dr. Susan Carvalho, Major Professor Dr. Susan Larson, Director of Graduate Studies DECONSTRUCTING AN ICON: FIDEL CASTRO AND REVOLUTIONARY MASCULINITY ____________________________________ DISSERTATION ____________________________________ A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Kentucky By Krissie Hannah Butler Lexington, Kentucky Director: Dr. Susan Carvalho, Professor of Hispanic Studies Lexington, Kentucky 2012 Copyright © Krissie Hannah Butler 2012 ! ABSTRACT OF DISSERTATION DECONSTRUCTING AN ICON: FIDEL CASTRO AND REVOLUTIONARY MASCULINITY The goal of this project is to investigate the way in which various representations of Fidel Castro, between the years 1957-1965, have left an indelible mark on Cuba, transforming its landscape, I argue, through gendered means and conscious strategies. Thus it is less concerned with Fidel as an historical person than with examining with a gendered lens the ways in which he has been represented in foundational photographs, interviews, songs, and texts (both narrative and poetry as well as blogs). Drawing from theories of masculinity, which conceive masculinity as both a social construction and material body, my dissertation explores the ways in which these representations make visible a gendered body, mapping definitions of masculinity on Fidel, which are intimately linked to power. These constructions of Fidel’s masculinity, which are portrayed as hegemonic and a legitimating feature of patriarchal control, are a central feature of Fidel’s political authority and the Revolution’s hegemonizing project to shape Revolutionary men and women. I argue that representations of Fidel frequently invite a gendered encounter between the Comandante and his followers, resulting in the production of gendered Revolutionary subjects. The present study adds to current scholarship by shedding light on the ways in which gender foregrounds politics by problematizing the ways in which men are often at the center of political discourse. By decoding the foundations of Fidel’s “gendered” power, we find it to be a construction whose maintenance depends on the body’s ability to conform to hegemonic definitions of masculinity, thus reinforcing rather than Revolutionizing masculine paradigms of authority. KEYWORDS: Fidel Castro; masculinity; Cuba; Revolution; gender; power; politics Krissie Hannah Butler October 18, 2012 """ ! DECONSTRUCTING AN ICON: FIDEL CASTRO AND REVOLUTIONARY MASCULINITY By Krissie Hannah Butler Dr. Susan Carvalho Director of Dissertation Dr. Susan Larson Director of Graduate Studies October 18, 2012 Date "# ! ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First I would like to extend my gratitude to Dr. Susan Carvalho. It has been a long and wonderful journey, one that began in the nineteenth century and ended in an unexpected place: the Cuban Revolution. Thank you for helping me find the way. Next, I would like to thank Dr. Cristina Alcalde who served as my second reader. She provided great insight and encouragement all throughout this process. Last, I want to acknowledge my advisory committee, Dr. Ana Rueda, Dr. Susan Larson, and Dr. Noemi Lugo for their close readings and guidance along the way. Thank you to all my Cuban friends who opened their homes to me and provided me with invaluable insight for this disseration. I could not have finished this study without the help of my wonderful parents, Mark and Janice Hannah, who encouraged me and gave me infinite support. I want to dedicate this dissertation to my husband Mark and my daughter Avery. Avery, you are my delight, my joy, and my inspiration. Mark, thank you for giving me the courage to begin, the strength to go on, and the love to finish this project. Above all, thank you for understanding my love for that country that is so close, yet so far away. # ! TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................ iii List of Illustrations ............................................................................................................. vi Chapter One: Fidel Castro and the Cuban Revolution: A Gendered Approach ................. 1 Politics and Gender ................................................................................................. 2 Masculinity: Towards a Definition ......................................................................... 7 "Fidel is macho:" Rethinking the Obvious ............................................................. 9 Hegemonic Masculinity: A Theoretical Model .................................................... 11 Masculinity: Considering the Position of Women and Children .......................... 15 Challenging Hegemony: Resisting Fidel .............................................................. 16 Representing Fidel: Selection of Sources ............................................................