"Killings" by Andre Dubus: The Social Construction of Masculinity. When we think of a man we usually think of a strong, hardworking, protective person. A provider for his family and loved ones. Society has set this image in our heads since the beginning of time. Men worked the farms and provided food for his family, while the wives took care of the children and the house. We know that men do get emotional, and they tend to keep it all internal and not show their weakness because it isn't part of the masculine image. Men aren't supposed to cry or be depressed, they're supposed to be tough and strong. This is the image we have come to know as masculinity. However Matt Fowler is somewhat of both Masculine and non masculine. He is described as a protective father, and a caring husband who provided for his family. He plays his parts that he is supposed to and fills his roles within his family. However on the inside he is dealing with emotions from his sons death that make him seem like a mess, and takes responsibility for ending his families grief. I believe that Matt Fowlers character both supports and negates the social construction of masculinity. So as a male I understand the emotions we go through, and brought up by my father I automatically accepted the gender role of a man. I understand Matt's need to keep his emotions to himself. As a man you don't want to let your emotions show because it makes you look weak. "he neglected his own objections…so that as he spoke to her he felt as disembodied as he sometimes did in the store…" (Dubus 114) A prime example of keeping his emotions to himself. Ruth, Matts wife, had always spoken her mind in the bedroom before they went to sleep. Matt holds back his own objections against what she says and just keeps them to himself. The word disembodied can be viewed as Matt basically talking with ruth but not actually paying much