In recent times, anti heroic qualities have been increasingly associated with masculine ideals. This can be seen in many movies; one such example would be Clint Eastwood’s character in the Dollars Trilogy. He plays a quiet, brutal, deadly man whose actions speak far louder than his words, and is always looking to make money out of a situation. Another example can be seen in many depictions of James Bond; Bond has always been somewhat chauvinistic, and has a very cold, brutal nature about him. Character in these movies over the years have been idolized for the masculine qualities; they care only for their own well-being, and are generally dismissive of women.

This ideal of masculinity can be seen in Oscar de Leon’s struggle in the Dominican Republic and in college in New Jersey; he is overweight, nerdy, and struggles to develop sexual relationships with women as per the standard of masculinity present in the world around him. His roommate, Yunior, however, is very much the embodiment of this ideal, and serves as a foil for Oscar’s character. Though Oscar never embraces the masculine culture he is so tormented by, he does eventually have sex with Ybon, the prostitute, even though it gets him killed; though he dies, Oscar rejects the concept of invulnerable masculinity and allows himself to be vulnerable with other women.