Oceanic Literature is a relatively unexplored field, especially in relation to gender struggles. I intend to look at the effects of the hetero-normative patriarchal society on the characters in Where We Once Belonged and Once Were Warriors and how the authors portray a hegemonic masculinity caused by colonialism in Polynesia. Both novels are contemporary and take place towards the end of the 20th century in the Polynesian triangle with interesting female narrators as the protagonist. Sexual, physical and verbal violence is a constant struggle throughout both novels, as is the struggle of being accepted in a society where you are made “other” or “foreign” in your native land. There are many ways that colonization was able to “other” indigenous Oceanic people and I intend to explore a few of these as they are presented to the characters in each novel. I will also explore the changing meanings of masculinity and the “warrior” and its effects on the character in each novel.
