Calvin Owen

English 2367.02

Caitlyn McLoughlin

27 April 2018

Andy’s Manhood

Highlights referenced from this episode can be found by searching “Andy’s Erection Problem – The Office US” on Youtube.

“Andy’s Erection Problem” is an episode of The Office about a character, Andy, losing his job. Andy is a quirky, effeminate man who faces conflict when a woman, Nelly, wrongfully takes his manager position from him. After losing his job, Andy is unable to perform sexually that day. This episode suggests that Andy’s sexuality is dependent on his masculinity.

The day after the incident occurs, Andy becomes agitated when his girlfriend, Erin, tries to assure him that his impotence isn’t a big deal. Ironically, by telling Andy multiple times that it didn’t matter, Andy understands that it does matter to Erin. Nelly regrets taking Andy’s job when she learns that Andy has lost his sense of manhood as a result. Coworkers also quickly find out about the situation and try to make Andy feel better but it has the opposite effect; their sympathy makes Andy feel even more pathetic and frustrated.

The episode reaches a climax when Erin loses her temper and tries to stick up for Andy by yelling at the new manager. Similarly, this makes Andy feel even worse; he tells Erin, “I’m a man, and I can protect myself!” Following this outburst, Andy is fired but has recovered his sense of manhood and is able to get an erection after sticking up for himself.

Andy’s loss of manhood is contrasted by another character, Dwight. Throughout The Office, Dwight is depicted as a stern, masculine man. Upon hearing about Andy’s impotence, Dwight tells Erin that he has never experienced a problem getting an erection. Dwight is reinforcing the idea that a man’s sexuality is dependent on his masculinity.

Interestingly, Andy seeks validation from his coworkers and his father. After informing his dad about his demotion from manager to salesmen, Andy worries that he has disappointed his father. The first part of this phone call is contrasted by the second part. Erin’s outburst against Nelly interrupts Andy’s phone call and Andy stands from his desk to expresses anger and aggression marked by yelling at everyone in the room and punching a wall. During Andy’s fit of rage, he picks the phone back up and tells his dad to go to hell, signifying that he no longer cares for his dad’s approval. This is significant because it implies that Andy’s sense of manhood is related to his independence from his dad.

This episode relates to the course theme, gender and sexuality, and challenges the idea that gender and sexuality are independent because it suggests that the characters’ sexualities are directly dependent on their masculinity. This episode supports a common belief that masculine men are characterized by power and independence and that masculinity is necessary in order for heterosexual men to perform sexually.

Gender and sexuality are related to each other to some varying extent, but I believe this episode oversimplifies the relationship between the two. I believe gender and sexuality are too complex to be thought of as a direct relationship. Further, I don’t think that in reality a tough, masculine man is immune to impotence the way Dwight is characterized and, inversely, I don’t think a weak, effeminate man such as Andy is necessarily unable to perform sexually. I criticize this episode, but, extraneously, I enjoyed watching Andy’s character develop from needing approval to being independent.

Highlights referenced from this episode can be found by searching “Andy’s Erection Problem – The Office US” on Youtube.