Phallos: Sacred Image of the Masculine

William Glassman is a professor of psychology at Ryerson Polytechnical
University in Toronto.

Eugene Monick’s book, Phallos: Sacred Image of the Masculine, is written from an explicitly Jungian viewpoint. As such, it may interest those of a similar orientation, and will likely be dismissed by others. This is unfortunate, in that it is not clear that Monick’s goal is simply to preach to the converted.

Essentially, the book focuses on the archetypal basis of masculinity. By use of personal experiences and references to masculine images in various settings, including prehistoric and
early Western cultures, Monick explores the origins of masculine identity. Looking at the issue as a non-Jungian, one might note that the idea that culture influences sexual roles is familiar to both psychologists and anthropologists. In this regard, the book offers some intriguing examples, and the interpretations, while sometimes unusual, deserve consideration. For example, Monick argues that our culture, being patriarchal, overlooks and distorts elements of masculine symbolism. While one may or may not agree, it is interesting to consider the interactions between culture and individual character.

When providing personal examples, Monick’s writing can be quite engaging, as in relating an incident between himself and his son while touring England. The problem comes when he reverts to Jungian jargon to interpret such examples. For example, referring to a confrontation with a critic of his work, he writes, “The laughter broke the spell of a solar-logos masculinity in its superego form (often called the negative father complex).” Doubtless a Jungian would feel comfortable with such language, but it is not likely to draw positive response from other readers.

In summary, Monick provides an unusual exploration of what he himself calls an “over-looked” topic. Depending on their own orientation, readers may or may not care that the gap has been filled.