Throughout history, men have been generalized as brutes, because of certain few iconic men. Since the beginning of time, men have been entitled to positions of power and with that power comes stereotypes that men are arrogant, aggressive and egotistical. However, history has shown that these select few have dictated the overall view of masculinity. For example, historical figures like Genghis Khan, Attila the Hun, and Malcolm x have displayed masculinity through aggression, violence, and savagery: while, there are men like Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D.Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, and even the current president of the United States of America Barack Obama, who have displayed masculinity through compassion, understanding, reason and diplomacy.
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In Okonkwo’s eyes to uphold his ideals and validate himself as a man, he must dominate and dictate/control his family with a “heavy hand”. Okonkwo values masculinity and prestige over everything else; even his family. In addition, Okonkwo believes that a way to prove dominance/masculinity is to be able to control your family. He believes that is one of the major key factors in determine if someone should be considered a man. Okonkwo believes “No matter how prosperous a man is, if he is unable to rule his women and his children (and especially his women) he was not really a man... Nwoye knew that it was right to be masculine and to be violent, but somehow he still preferred the stories that his mother used to tell, and which she no doubt still told to her younger children. Illuminating Okonkwo’s ideals of masculinity through being a father/spouse. Also, Illustrating that his masculinity is based on more than prosperity, it is also based on if a man is able to control his family. Okonkwo ruled his family with force/“heavy hand”. But, shown with Nwoye, he cannot control them, Nwoye rebels. Nwoye rebellion of his father's commands and stories told by Nwoye's mother show that Okonkwo’s ideals are his own and don't reflect the ideals of the
In Okonkwo’s eyes to uphold his ideals and validate himself as a man, he must dominate and dictate/control his family with a “heavy hand”. Okonkwo values masculinity and prestige over everything else; even his family. In addition, Okonkwo believes that a way to prove dominance/masculinity is to be able to control your family. He believes that is one of the major key factors in determine if someone should be considered a man. Okonkwo believes “No matter how prosperous a man is, if he is unable to rule his women and his children (and especially his women) he was not really a man... Nwoye knew that it was right to be masculine and to be violent, but somehow he still preferred the stories that his mother used to tell, and which she no doubt still told to her younger children. Illuminating Okonkwo’s ideals of masculinity through being a father/spouse. Also, Illustrating that his masculinity is based on more than prosperity, it is also based on if a man is able to control his family. Okonkwo ruled his family with force/“heavy hand”. But, shown with Nwoye, he cannot control them, Nwoye rebels. Nwoye rebellion of his father's commands and stories told by Nwoye's mother show that Okonkwo’s ideals are his own and don't reflect the ideals of the