Masculine Centre and Feminine Periphery in Anton Holban's Novels

Abstract

The article analyzes, dissects, and interprets the central themes of Anton Holban's novels and identifies love as a ubiquitous one among them. Drawing on O moarte care nu dovedește nimic (A Death that Proves Nothing), Ioana, and Jocurile Daniei (Dania's Games), the paper sets out to prove that the masculine element in Holban's novels, represented by the protagonist-narrator, intertwines with the feminine, materialized in his three partners. It is made clear throughout the article that Sandu's relationships with women are determined, first of all, by the image that he creates of himself, while all the other characters usually live in his shadow. As a rule, women are treated by Holban's protagonist with superiority, in a condescending—and sometimes even sadistic—manner. By way of literary analysis, the article determines that the male figure treats women not as complex human beings, but as decipherable puzzles and coveted mysteries, desired just so that they can be controlled. Thus, the woman in Holban's novels never gets the leading role, but must always stay in the background, only allowed to aspire to a peripheral role in the story of the male protagonist's existence.