Authors

Discussion

The novel "World noise" (Pasaules troksnis, 2025) by Latvian author Ilze Jansone offers a glimpse of two paradigms in  crisis: institutionalized Christianity and hegemonic masculinity. The novel is written mostly through the lens of Toms, who, gradually abandoning his stable teaching job and family, becomes a pastor and later a zealous leader of the Lutheran church which – in a terrifying near-future vision – excludes women from their ranks and takes steps to limit their bodily and political autonomy. The protagonist stands in contrast with the author’s own personal, political and academic standing as a theologian, women's rights supporter both within the Church and outside it, and a member of LGBT+ community. Her sympathetic gaze offers to build bridges across divided communities, as well as reveals the complexities of modern masculinity.

The ideals of hegemonic masculinity are markedly impossible to attain, especially in the economically precarious situation of Latvia. Well-educated, financially stable, intellectually superior, politically strong but also empathetic leader, husband and father, the head of the household – the novel demonstrates the inaccessibility of this ideal. Similarly, Christianity is constantly losing its grip on people's minds and influence on the state matters, as well as alignment with contemporary academic trends, even though for conservative and populist politicians, it remains a reliable partner. A vision of a more liberal Christian church has not come to pass neither in the real, nor fictionalized Latvia. This presentation traces the models of aspiring masculinities emerging in the contemporary world that is strongly influenced by diverse values and ideals that claim the legacy of Christianity. Here, the women characters act as a representation and vision of different and differing views on the paradox of masculinity.