Fragile Masculinity/Toxic Masculinity

In order for a story to discuss the fragility of a character’s masculinity, it relies on using stereotypes which promote toxic masculinity, which are primarily the societal ways women, women’s bodies, and women’s safety are harmed, violated, and maligned. In “Snapshot,” the main character’s trajectory is propped up by the pain of the only primary female character throughout the story, Shelly Beukes. While Mike aims to solve the mystery of the Phoenician and the alien camera, Shelly suffers through a serious, debilitating disease. Her memories are used to destroy and remove the Phoenician from further hurting her. More so, Mike’s fragility as a character is that he does not wish to be burdened by the care for Shelly, while her care for him as a boy was expected and taken for granted by him. Mike’s fear to...