Between Men: English Literature and Male Homosocial Desire

"Between Men: English Literature and Male Homosocial Desire," by Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick, explores how English literature often depicts male relationships rooted in friendship, rivalry, and admiration—what she calls "homosocial desire." This desire involves men seeking closeness and emotional bonds with other men, but these relationships are usually distinct from romantic or sexual love. Sedgwick analyzes literary works to show how such male bonds reveal underlying tensions, competition, and societal expectations around masculinity. The book highlights how these patterns shape cultural attitudes toward gender and relationships, making it a key text for understanding the social construction of masculinity in literature and beyond.