Myra Breckinridge

by Gore Vidal

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Summary

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"Myra Breckinridge" centers on a bold and unorthodox character navigating the dynamics of gender and power in a Hollywood setting. At its core, the story follows Myra, a woman determined to redefine traditional gender roles and assert her dominance in a male-centric world. Through a series of calculated moves, she manipulates those around her, leading to an unexpected conclusion.

Inheritance and Identity

At twenty-seven, Myra Breckinridge finds herself the heir to her late husband's share of an acting academy. This institution, shared with Buck Loner, a former cowboy star of radio and film, serves as the backdrop for Myra's ambitions. Introducing herself in the narrative, Myra confidently claims to be a woman "whom no man will ever possess," channeling the glamor of film icons like Fay Wray, Jean Harlow, and Lana Turner. She sees the novel as a relic of the past, viewing the 1940s cinema as the zenith of Western art, though she cynically believes even this is overshadowed by the art of television commercials. Her mission in Hollywood, as she perceives it, is to reconstruct gender identities.

The "New Woman"

Myra embraces her role as the "New Woman," chronicling her "astonishing history" as a form of therapy with Dr. Randolph Spenser Montag, her analyst, friend, and dentist. She paints Buck Loner, her co-owner at the academy, in harsh terms: "not the man he had been when he made eighteen low-budget Westerns; now he is huge, disgusting, and old." His attempts to seduce Myra are complicated by her status as the widow of his nephew, Myron Breckinridge, who drowned under mysterious circumstances the year before. Myra hints that Myron's death was not a suicide, adding layers to her complex narrative.

Suspicion and Inheritance

From Buck's perspective, the story shifts to his distrust of Myra. He reveals Myron’s past as a homosexual and film critic, and he enlists Flagler and Flagler, a private investigation firm, to scrutinize the academy's deed and Myra's credentials. Buck is eager to find a way to challenge her inheritance, despite the academy's financial backing from Myron's mother, Gertrude.

Redefining Masculinity

Myra sets out to educate young hopefuls like Rusty Godowsky and veteran stars like Buck Loner on the essence of masculinity in what she dubs the era of "Woman Triumphant." She asserts that in a machine-driven society, men have become "expendable, soft auxiliaries," devoid of the primal struggles that once defined masculinity. Myra derides men as mere shadows of heroic ideals, confined to outdated roles of dominance. Celebrating the end of this masculine era, she proclaims the dawn of "Women Triumphant, of Myra Breckinridge!"

Revenge and Manipulation

Determined to avenge Myron, whom she reveals was mistreated by many men, Myra concocts a threefold plan. This includes reviving the "Female Principle," overpowering Buck to seize control of the academy, and humiliating Rusty Godowsky by sabotaging his romance with Mary-Ann Pringle, ending in a shocking sexual assault with a dildo. Her actions reveal an intent to overturn the patriarchal structures that oppressed Myron.

Establishing Control

Validated by Flagler and Flagler's confirmation of the will, Myra steps in to claim her part at the academy. Manipulating Mary-Ann, whom she describes as "as stupid as she seemed," Myra persuades her to enroll Rusty in posture-training classes, setting the stage for her plans. Buck's infatuation, Mary-Ann's gullibility, and Rusty's ongoing embarrassment in class create the perfect storm for Myra.

Mistaken Assumptions

Attempts to surveil Myra backfire when Buck hires the Golden State Detective Agency to monitor her communications with Dr. Montag. Misinterpretations arise from a conversation about a "marriage" witnessed in Monterey. Buck is surprised when the investigator, his former...

(This entire section contains 828 words.)

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lover Letitia Van Allen, becomes an ally to Myra.

Unlikely Alliances

Over lunch, Myra and Letitia form a bond. Letitia probes Myra's motives concerning Mary-Ann, questioning if they are romantically inclined. Myra deflects, suggesting her interest in Rusty as the reason. Letitia shares her past exploits with "every stud in town who wants to be an actor," and when asked if she is shocked, Myra claims to be the modern American woman who "uses men the way they once used women." Yet, she privately confesses her uncertainty about her identity and existence, pondering, "Do I exist at all? That is the unanswerable question."

Final Deceptions

Myra's scheme culminates in a private lesson with Rusty, where she has him undress under the guise of a health check before referring him for spinal treatment. She conducts an invasive examination, culminating in what she calls "the final rite," believing she has achieved her goal of emasculating him. Unbeknownst to her, Rusty finds the encounter pleasurable.

Unraveling Truths

The facade crumbles after Myra suffers a car accident, altering her hormonal balance, leading to the disappearance of her breasts and the growth of a beard. Buck uncovers the truth: Myra is, in fact, Myron, who had undergone a gender change. Rusty embraces his homosexuality, and Myra/Myron ultimately marries Rusty's ex-girlfriend, Mary-Ann, concluding with a surprising twist of living "happily ever after."

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