First Draft Research Paper #1

Johnny Quizhpi
Eng 101-0800
Prof. Bogacka
11/08/2010
Draft #1

Men have evolved from many styles and way of life. Then came an era that was defined by smokers and to smoke was a good thing; so good that people look to you and respect you for it. To be a smoker in those times was accepted and made the male stand out even more. To be seen in the eyes of other men and women as a high class male or even a hard working rouged man was very well accepted. The attitude that often reflects the male characteristics is further heightened and your masculinity is at an all time high. The popular men’s magazine Esquire has insinuated that all throughout the year 1998, that the masculinity of men is really shown if he has a cigarette lit-up between his lips. If a man is truly a man then he would smoke and let all who see him know that his masculinity is well present with no doubt.
What it meant to be masculine back in the year 1998 had a complete different meaning that what it does present day. Esquire magazine has shown its readers that males who smoke are these rough men who take life as it comes and even become successful. In the February and April issue of Esquire magazine there are these advertisements of Malboro cigarette packs. Both advertisements have a male model in a cowboy-western theme look on. I believe this means that a man who smokes and is dressed in a cowboy getup is considered masculine in the eyes of others; to wear such loose clothing and having a smoke represents that a man is exactly who they are. Men are usually the ones who tend to take life as it comes and not worry about much. A quick smoke here and there is what it meant to be masculine as insinuated by these two Malboro advertisements in Esquire Magazine 1998.
Another piece extracted from Esquire magazine the June 1998 issue, is an interview with a male singer that goes by the name of Chris Whitley; the article was written by Christopher Berend. This interview entitled (Alone again, and Singing) caught my attention because Berend asks question to Whitney about his smoking and the response was quite casual. A questioned asked was “At a recent show, you lit a cigarette, took a drag, and set down on your amplifier, next to four others that you’d already started. Do you keep track of how many of those you actually finish?” (Berend). Christopher Whitney’s response was “I should. It’s getting a little passé. But I mean, I like to smoke, you know?” This is the answer coming from a man who has played all different types of crowds, from smoky bars to arenas. He is the image of what a man should be throughout his lifetime, successful. To show off masculinity to the world a man must have some sort of talent and smoke; this is what this interview is trying to get at.
In the October 98 issue of Esquire magazine there is yet another interview but this time with veteran actor Al Lewis, the interview by Lauren Iannotti entitled “Now that’s Scary”. This man’s masculinity is off the charts one would say. He has accomplished so much in his 88years of life. What is more interesting is that with that awesome age this man still smokes. In the magazine interview this man has a huge cigar lit up in between his lips. Mr. Lewis has accomplished feats from being a scout for the Celtics to a N.Y governor hopeful; also another accomplishment would be that of being a big time actor in works such as “Grandpa” in The Munsters. This is a huge message from Esquire magazine to men out there, that a man who is this successful at his age and smokes is a complete man with capital masculinity.
In 1998 Esquire magazine insinuated that all throughout that year a man was characterized whether or not he had a cigarette between his lips. Smoking made the man and showed off to the world his masculinity. The principle idea in 1998 was to get men to believe he would become that chill guy, the famous actor or the cool musician if he would just smoke a cigarette and be looked up by everyone who sees him. The man who will take life as it comes and smoke to relax himself and be mellow. Though this was defined as being a man back then, recent news and research show that smoking is a bad habit that can lead up to numerous health problems. Whether or not smoking is still considered to show your masculinity positively; this is a completely different story.

Work Cited

Malboro, Advertisement. Esquire Feb 1998 Print

Malboro, Advertisement. Esquire April 1998 Print

Berend, Christopher. “Alone Again, and Singing.” Esquire June 1998 Print

Iannotti, Lauren. Now that’s Scary” Esquire October. 1998 Print