Masculinity in Hard-Boiled Detective Formula: An Analysis on Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code

In this research, the researcher analyzes a phenomenal novel entitled The Da Vinci Code. The background of this research appears based on the fact that in this era, popular fiction is more chosen than the canon one. This means that, there is the role in the popular fiction that appeals the readers. Therefore, the aim of this research is to discover the reasons for the popularity of The Da Vinci Code novel. In analyzing this novel, the researcher proposes two statements of problems, such as: 1). How are the hard-boiled detective formula constructed in Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code?; 2). How are masculinity constructed in Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code?. These statement of problem are analyzed through interdisciplinary approach, such as genre and gender studies. In order to making a justifiable research, the researcher uses genre formula and masculinity as the theoretical foundation. As the result, the researcher finds two success keys that make this novel popular, such as 1). The Da Vinci Code provides the hard-boiled detective formula to appeal the readers through the setting of modern city, man as hero, suspense and threats, the role of woman, and the changing meaning in the story; and 2). Masculinity is the other key for the popularity of this novel because the readers like the story which provides a man’s adventure to find the truth in which his struggle to overcomes the obstacle is reputed as a heroic action. The images of masculinity that appeal the readers are bachelorhood, intelligence, hedonism, wealth, violence, dueling, protector, navigator, sacrifice to other, emotionless, and middle age man