Trophy hunting in the Arctic happened in an intersection between tourism, expeditions and hunting. This study contributes to a discrete history of masculinity within the context of trophy hunting organized from North Norway and to a broader understanding of Arctic masculinity in general. As trophy hunting expeditions are primarily a male, even masculinist, tourist practice, an analysis from a gender perspective is unavoidable. By taking an empirical approach I investigate different performances of masculinity in written accounts of Arctic trophy-hunting expeditions from the period 1827-1914. The use of masculinity as a pivot demonstrates that a modification of the prevailing perception of Arctic masculinity is necessary. While the general understanding is dominated by an emphasis on physical strength, roughness, ingenuity, restless energy and strong will to self-realization, qualities connected to the traditional values and knowledge of trappers, sailors and explorers, my analysis shows that trophy hunting introduced aristocratic ideals such as gentlemen's sport, selfdiscipline, hunting morals, care for nature and distribution of knowledge to their home communities. Trophy hunting in the Arctic made possible performances of different forms of masculinity, not only the conquest and mastery of nature, but also the interest in and care for nature. Women also accompanied as family members and hunters, and women took part in the hunt more often than has been commonly noted.
<p align="left">From the late 1800s and until the protection of polar bears came into force in 1973, there were regular private hunting expeditions to the Arctic by boat, including several from Tromsø. In this article, I investigate how masculinity is manifested in specific empirical evidence: a trophy hunting expedition with the Sutton family that left from Tromsø in the summer of 1932. Using masculinity as a lens through which to see the historical trophy hunt shows, however, that this activity deals with more than obtaining trophies and potency. The Sutton family expedition undertook to hunt, kill and stuff wild animals to the benefit of science and the general information of the public. Sutton himself goes in and out of the role of conqueror; he puts his trust in the Norwegian crew and highlights his recommendations for safety on such trips. By looking at a specific example such as Sutton’s expedition, it is obvious that this also deals with various forms of masculinity – or manliness: about the conquering and mastering of nature, but also about an interest in and care of nature. Masculinity is seen in terms of civic ideals with an emphasis on rationality and discipline – a hunt in which women may also be granted a place – as well as the role of fatherhood with a responsibility for the training of new generations and educating the public by contributing to the development of scientific collections and the municipal zoo.</p>
2011 is the Nansen-Amundsen Year in Norway. This year celebrate two anniversaries with great significance for Norway. It is 150 years since the birth of Fritdjof Nansen and 100 years since Roald Amundsen, accompanied by four of his men, arrived as the first at the South Pole. During this year several new exhibitions has been made and displayed in different museums in Norway. The article surveys the role of today's museums has in forming the narratives about the Norwegian polar history, the polar heroes and Roald Amundsen especially. An examination of a so called traditional Polar exhibition shows that their main focus on artifacts and theirlack of contextualization, gives the exhibition an aura of authenticity. While new exhibitions are characterized by emphasis on contextualization, critical questions and giving different groups a voice. It is argued that the museums both contributes to conserve the prevailing concepts and representations, but also contributes to give new understandings and perspectives of Roald Amundsen and the Norwegian Polar history. It is important to understand how the museums exhibitions are contributing to the collective memory.
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