«Skidt med Tarzan» : Gummi-Tarzan og maskuliniteten

Abstract

This article is a reading of Ole Lund Kirkegaard’s children’s book Gummi-Tarzan (1975) [trans. «Rubber-Tarzan»]. Its primary focus is on the deconstruction of the Tarzan figure. The protagonist, Ivan Olsen, is questioning masculinity itself when approaching the Tarzan figure. Thus, the text Gummi-Tarzan can be read as a rebellion against the masculine stereotype. Questioning authorities on a daily basis (his father, his PE teacher), Ivan challenges the very idea of masculinity and its supporters. The article then goes on to inquire how the text Gummi-Tarzan relates to the mythical Tarzan figure of E.R. Burroughs and whether the main character, verbally or through action, is capable of transcending the masculine stereotype displayed by other men.