Norman, Papa, and the Autoerotic Construction of Woman

Authors

  • Mimi R. Gladstein Author

Keywords:

Ernest Hemingway, Marilyn Monroe, masculinity and sexuality in literature, autoerotic fantasy in fiction, feminist literary criticism

Abstract

Hemingway and Mailer had many similarities. In the cases of Catherine Barkley for Hemingway and Marilyn Monroe for Mailer, both writers allowed themselves for imaginative privileges that they did not have in life. Both characterizations are a certain kind of dream fantasy woman, a projection of autoerotic impulses. Whereas life may not have afforded either Hemingway or Mailer the realization of some of their fantasies, as authors, they can, to borrow a phrase from Seinfeld, be “masters of their own domain.”

Author Biography

  • Mimi R. Gladstein

    Mimi R. Gladstein is the author of five books and co-editor of two, one of which won a 2009 American Book Award. She is President of the John Steinbeck Society of America. Her teaching and research on Steinbeck have been honored with the John J. and Angeline Pruis Award and the Burkhardt Award. The College of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas, El Paso selected her as the Outstanding Faculty for 2003 and the University recognized her for Outstanding Service to Students in 2006. She was the first Director of the  Women’s Studies Program at UTEP and has chaired the English Department and the Department of Theatre, Dance, and Film. Another of her administrative positions was an Associate Dean of Liberal Arts.

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Published

2026-03-25

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 1 (2010): Literary Warriors

Section

Articles