Represents of Masculinity

In This is England, masculinity is represented in many different ways by various characters.

One of the main character that represent masculinity would be the Character of Woody. Throughout this film it can be said that Woody is seen to a father figure towards Shaun. One way he does this is through the protection he has over Shaun which can be considered as a stereotypical representation of a man. An example from the film being when Gadget is picking on Shaun and later on goes to fight him in the run down building, Woody immediately jumps to Shaun's defence and even then, although not as seriously as other characters would be, turned on Gadget until he apologised. Again Woody's father figure qualities can been conveyed towards Gadget in this scene when gadget expresses his emotions on how he feels in group and Woody then tries to comfort him connoting a gentle nature that a father may have towards his children.

Although Woody doesn't necessarily present the aggressive stereotype that masculinity may hold, he does however possess a post modern ideology of how men can now behave and now carries a more caring figure as man and not as dominant as a man previously was thought to be. For instance, woody has the aptitude to try and makes people happy in this film from Shaun to Milky and even Lol. For instance when he feels although he has done something wrong he immediately apologises which emotionally connotes strength and represents masculinity as being strong as Woody has the ability to admit when he is in the wrong. As well as this he constantly ensures Shaun which reinforces his need to make people happy like when Shaun first has his 'skinhead make over' Woody says to him "honestly mate you look sterling". The use of the worst honestly suggests that Woody would never lie to Shaun as though saying men don't lie and presents men as being truthful. by referring to him as mate can also reassure Shaun that he has a friend and creates a sense of social solidarity as well as reinforcing the father figure representation. Throughout the film, the audience also see woody connecting with characters, especially Shaun, on a comedic level like referring to gadget as 'tubs'  to make Shaun laugh which presents men as not taking things as seriously and hold the archetype of the class clown. 

Despite Woody not presenting himself as being the most dominant form of masculinity in this film, there are elements to which he does intact hold the stereotypical ideology of a man for instance the way he dresses. Wearing scuffed up jeans represents masculinity as being rugged and rough around the edges however paring it with a shirt and braces hold a degree of smartness and shows men to also want to present themselves smartly. Doc martens that are also a fashion accessory in the skinhead culture are quite big, bulky boots which may suggest that these men want to be noticed by people and commands attention indicated that of male importance. 

The character of Combo however contrasts greatly with Woody. Where as Woody uses Comedic quality, gentle nature, and no emotional or physical force to represent masculinity, Combo uses the stereotypes of violence, aggression and his physical build in general to present the stereotype of masulinity and everything he thinks a 'real man' should be.