Man Box

Description

“Man Box” presents a fictional narrative exploration of masculinity, institutional power, and identity formation through the experiences of Julian Carter, a Korean-American professor conducting research inside a maximum-security prison in North Carolina. The story is situated at the intersection of carceral studies, critical pedagogy, and gender theory and examines how socially constructed norms of western masculinity, conceptualized as the “Man Box,” shape behavior across different contexts, including prisons and higher education. 

Through Julian’s interactions with incarcerated men participating in an inmate-led emotions and masculinity course, the story reveals how rigid masculine expectations contribute to violence, emotional suppression, and cycles of marginalization – particularly among incarcerated men who are unable to convey their masculinity though middle and upper-class channels such as socioeconomic status, educational attainment, career achievements, and the like. Conversely, these men also demonstrate vulnerability, empathy, and self-reflection when given space to challenge these norms. Parallel developments unfold in Julian’s classroom, where attempts to replicate this transformative pedagogy provoke institutional backlash among the students and administration, highlighting tensions between critical inquiry and neo-liberal governance in higher education.

As Julian becomes increasingly disillusioned with his academic career, the narrative traces his moral and psychological unraveling. His growing identification with the incarcerated individuals in combination with his professional marginalization, culminates in ethically iv compromised decision-making. The story underscores how systems of power regulate behavior but also impact identity, often reproducing the conditions they claim to mitigate.

Team

Members

Student: Bryan Rufener

Supervisor: Michelle Dove