The Unbearable Weight of the Male Gaze: Kundera’s Biasness for Masculinity in The Unbearable Lightness of Being

Abstract

This study addresses the gender bias and reflections on the masculinity of Milan Kundera in his novel The Unbearable Lightness of Being from Laura Mulvey’s iconic male gaze theory. The study uses qualitative methodology, including close textual reading and critical discourse analysis. As the study focuses on the differences in Kundera’s use of linguistic dichotomy for Tereza and Tomas and demonstrates how Kundera’s portrayal of infidelity and its acceptance in male characters perpetuates patriarchal norms and contributes to the systemic objectification and oppression of women, the research reveals that Kundera’s narrative techniques, his word choice, and characterizations align with patriarchal norms. Kundera portrays men as a decisive, dominating force through the character Tomas, whereas Tereza is shown as emotionally reliant and docile. Moreover, Tomas’s infidelities are depicted as natural extensions of his masculinity, whereas female infidelity is stigmatized which highlights the double standards of Kundera in the portrayal of gender and sexuality. Sabina’s identity is still often framed concerning men, particularly Tomas and Franz. The language used to describe her also reflects the male gaze and objectification. This research serves as a helpful reminder of the necessity to identify and evaluate the male gaze in literature while promoting more inclusive and powerful stories that subvert patriarchal power structures and conventional gender norms.