Masculinities in The Knick

Abstract

In my thesis, I argue that surgeons experienced mental and physical distress due to their demanding jobs and unsupportive environments. Through the elaborate historical references of The Knick, I explain the hardships they faced at the turn of the century. Then I analyze the emotional and psychological consequences of the austere working conditions that often culminated in drug addiction or suicide. Based on a study about male-dominated workplaces, I analyze certain characters’ situation in the field of gender studies. Additionally, I compare these inferences with the present-day circumstances of medical personnel.