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respected library. Books that are unavailable within the library are obtained from the Internet. Since the Internet is a vast and growing network filled with thousands
of sources, this thesis only focuses on various particular websites that stored a collection of books and journals that are legitimated and filled the requirements
with the thesis guidelines provided by Sanata Dharma University. Sources that are collected for this thesis are divided into two sections:
primary and secondary. The primary source is Jorge Gutierrez’s film The Book of
Life. The film is watched and the data are collected through shots taken for further analysis and the script obtained from the Internet. The secondary sources are
books collected from the library and the Internet. The books that are collected in this thesis are creations of a group of people with high credibility and are
intellectually skilled at their own field of courses. The first step in this study is the researcher watched The Book of Life and
cropped all the scenes that are related with the analysis later. The second step is the researcher read the script and highlighted all the conversations related with the
subjects of analysis as well as masculinity and bullfighting. The third step is the researcher searched for theories, related studies, and supporting materials for the
analysis later. The fourth and final step is the researcher analysed The Book of Life and the script with the available theories, studies, and materials.
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CHAPTER IV ANALYSIS
This chapter discusses the masculine characteristics that Manolo, Joaquin, and Carlos have and how these characteristics are portrayed in The Book of Life.
Using masculinity and film theories provided in Chapter II, the analysis is divided into two subchapters.
A. The Masculine Characteristics of Manolo, Joaquin, and Carlos in Jorge
Gutierrez’s The Book of Life
In this part, the masculinity of each character is characterized according to masculinity
theories provided in Chapter II. The analysis uses the film’s script to
show where masculinity occurred and developed in conversations. 1.
Manolo ’s Masculinity
Manolo Sanchez is the son of Carlos Sanchez and the last descendant of the Sanchez bullfighters. In The Book of Life, Manolo is expected to become the
bullfighter his father wishes to be. However, this is against his will. Manolo’s
constant struggle to overcome his fear led him to construct his masculinity. Manolo’s masculinity is developed through two characters; Carlos
Sanchez and Joaquin. The two characters have conversations with Manolo more often than the rest.
Some of the conversations developed Manolo’s masculinity while the rest are not.
CARLOS SANCHEZ. Well, fathers do whats best for their children. Come along. Mijo, I saw how you fought that beast. You made our
ancestors proud. MANOLO. Do you think Maria was impressed?
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CARLOS SANCHEZ. Maria and every girl in town. People said I was the greatest bullfighter in our familys history... But it is you, my son,
who will be the greatest Sanchez ever They will write songs about you
MANOLO. And I will sing them CARLOS SANCHEZ. Wait, what?
MANOLO. I will sing them. CARLOS SANCHEZ. Son, music is not work fit for a Sanchez bullfighter.
MANOLO. But I want to be a musician. CARLOS SANCHEZ. No. You must focus. Your training begins at once.
Your grandpa, Luis, taught me when I was about your age. MANOLO. Wait, isnt that when that bull put you in a coma?
CARLOS SANCHEZ. Memories. My only son fighting angry, thousand- pound beasts. The family tradition continues.
Gutierrez, 2014: 5 The conversation shows Carlos
’s disagreement with Manolo’s decision. Manolo places himself as the
“subordinate” male due to his unachievable feat to live up the standard of the Sanchez family name.
At first, Manolo’s decision to become a musician is purely from his own
thought from the start. In The Book of Life, the town of San Angel has only one bullfighting family; the Sanchez. By becoming the only bullfighting family,
Carlos sees Manolo as the next heir of the Sanchez bullfighter and the arena where his family performs their deadly fiesta.
From the beginning, Manolo has his own interest to play guitar and to sing for Maria. The opening of The Book of Life starts with scenes Manolo, Joaquin,
and Maria at their young age playing together and creating havoc in the town hall. Manolo and Joaquin save the day by joining forces to clean up their mess. One
particular mess that they did was releasing a horde of hogs and marching them towards the town hall where General
Posada, Maria’s father, is there to recruit men to protect the city from Chakal, the bandit king.
