Essay On The Man Who Was Almost A Man

Masculinity is a quality of a man, a man who empowers strength and expertise to achieve goals easier. The essence of being masculine, illustrates powerful behavior, such as courage, and audacity. Stephen, fifteen-year-old pulp-cutter trying to fit into an environment, feeling extremely honored, as his father modeled, "become a man", impels a decent reputation in his father’s

The most obvious symbol mentioned in this story is the gun. Throughout the story, the gun is constantly shown as a symbol for power, as well as masculinity and independence. Several times throughout the course of the story the narrator states, “If anybody could shoot a gun, he could” (Wright 222). In the fields, Dave is treated as a child, and he believes that he is an adult and should be treated as once, which includes owning a gun. Dave is disillusioned by the gun, and believes that it will solve all of his problems and strengthen his weaknesses, including granting him independence. Dave fails to realize that not being able to properly operate a gun only relinquishes freedom. This can be further evidenced when Dave accidentally shoots Jenny, the mule. This situation should have put an end to Dave’s obsession with power and guns, but instead he was still fascinated, demonstrating his lack of maturity and development. Overall, the gun demonstrates the maturity, independence, and developmental level that Dave wishes to achieve, but severely lacks.

     With Dave feeling as if he is no longer a boy, he felt he deserved respect. Dave wanted the entire town to respect him but really yearned for it mostly from his parents. He worked hard in the fields and the money that he earned went to his mother. ?Ol? man Hawkins give yuh mah money yit?,? Dave said to his mother. He felt that since he did the work, then he should get the money, or at least some of it. After killing the mule in an accident, Dave also wanted to regain the respect of his boss and the other townspeople. They tormented him for his immaturity and he wanted badly to change his perception and earn his respect back. ? All the crowd was laughing now.? The townspeople were laughing at ?Dave right after he accidentally shot the mule. ?Dave really wanted to be treated like a man but it seemed as if it would never happen. ?Damn em all Nobody ever gave him anything. All he did was work. They treat me like a mule, n then they beat me.?

The movie surveyed a wide array of the troubles faced by boys and men as they try to navigate the realm of masculinity. A common theme was the command “be a man” and the cultural baggage that comes with living up to that ideal. To “be a man” means to not cry, to not be sensitive, to not let people mess with you, to respond with violence, to be angry, to drink, to womanize.

In the story he says "One of nowadays he would get a weapon and work on shooting, then they couldn't converse with him just as he were a young man" (306). Obviously this idea alone shows how upside down Dave is. Owning a firearm consequently turns into Dave's outlet, an approach to rapidly turn out to be effective and masculine. He trusts that a gun in his grasp will give him more control over others; nonetheless, Jenny's passing just restrains his future by compelling him to reimburse Mr. Hawkins the cost of the donkey. Now Dave is more baffled than any time in recent memory since now he supposes he will never shine. A considerable measure of young people have a faint confusion that Dave has. Many are being harassed and abused somehow and they feel that owning a firearm will give them more control over these uncomfortable

In the predominantly patriarchal history of the world masculinity and what it means to be a man have differed from culture to culture. When it comes to African American history and culture, particularly what it has meant to be a man has no clear set of universal rules or guidelines. There are a few different sources such as hip hop and television many young black men across America draw their sense of masculinity from. On the other hand, there are role models in black communities that many young black men also draw their sense of masculinity from. With so many different sources to draw a sense of what it means to be a black man in today’s society from what is the true definition of black masculinity.

What does it mean to be a man? How does one qualify for the title? Is the term "man" simply referring to male human beings, or does it hold a greater measure of meaning in society. In order to get more insight into this subject matter, I consulted, " The Tormont Webster's Encyclopedic Dictionary". As I anticipated, the first definition for man stated as following: "An adult human being as distinguished from a female". This definition, did not surprise me, but what did ,was what followed it , it stated: A male human being endowed with such qualities as courage, strength, and fortitude, considered characteristic of manhood". To be a man in our society one must posses such qualities, along with honor, reliability and endurance. This

What makes a man, a “man”? Is it how much money he makes? The car he drives? The life he lives? Or, the amount of “Masculinity” that he shows? These are some of the stereotypical question that becomes the ideas of what men should have or strive to achieve. In Post-Princess Models of Gender: The New Man in Disney/Pixar by Ken Gillam and Shannon R. Wooden, they bring forth the ideas/thought of what the characteristic of men should be, by the overly influential control Disney and Pixar have on us and our future generation. Similar to what Matthew Immergut, in his article Manscaping: The Tangle of Nature, Culture and the Male Body, they both share ideas on the thought of man. The argument addressed in the question is either the way we view masculinity should be changed or not to determine us as men. In which the answer is, yes it should. Male or man, is a gender identity which show/ categorize, us separate from our female counterpart, Female or woman. But then are criticized on their place a “males” by getting in situation the emasculate them. Just because men independent or allowing for help, either overly sensitive or possess a lack of emotion, or whether or not “he” shaves his body or not should deter what the worlds thought on his masculinity

Dave in the story tries to present himself as this kid who is now a man, he wants to showcase to others that he is no longer some little kid that can be made fun of. Even though his actions don’t resemble those of a man, but instead of a kid who is trying to act like one, his thinking that a gun is what makes a man and certain actions that take place is what makes him a consistent character. From beginning to end his mindset of what makes a man doesn’t change, but instead is reinforced after he is humiliated. “Something hot seemed to turn over inside him each time he remembered how they had laughed” (Wright 188).

Living life in society as a man has its hardships. In order to be considered a “man” in society, a male must fit the ideal criteria. Paul Theroux argues that society’s standard of masculinity for a man is just as challenging as femininity is for a woman. According to Theroux, “the expression ‘Be a man!’ strikes me as insulting and abusive. It means: Be stupid, be unfeeling, obedient, soldierly, and stop thinking” (1). Having such cold and negative qualities is unappealing, yet it is expected. If a man decides not to follow these norms, then he is subjected to scrutiny. For example, Theroux

“The Man Who Was Almost a Man” by Richard Wright is a story about a young boy who wants to become a man and believes that if you have a gun you are a man. Dave, the young boy, is a character whose behavior is consistent throughout the whole story. Even though Dave wants to become a man his behavior and actions don’t resemble maturity but instead foolishness and immatureness. From the beginning to end his behavior is the same, he is this immature kid who has yet to learn what it means to truly be a man. “He was going to get a gun… then they couldn’t talk to him as though he were little boy”(Wright 179). Dave is already

Manhood is earned, and not deserved: no one is entitled to the quality of being a “man.” This ideology is easily inferred from the stories: Flight and The Bear. In my opinion, both of these stories portray the same idea about life and the journey to manhood; furthermore, nature is the same in both stories, only, it portrays one idea through two very different allegories: like two different mazes which share an exit. In The Bear, the boy approached nature with respect and a will to earn the skills and knowledge required to take down Old Ben, and to become a man. It was through his pride that he was able to persevere, and through his humility that he was able to understand. Moreover, the boy never acted entitled, rather, he worried of being unworthy of nature’s respect; and it was due to this, that nature enlightened the boy with the skills and wisdom required to

Thesis: I believe that the identity of manliness, is not only defined by a male. Think you are able to gain manly qualities, and lose them.

Throughout the existence of humanity, our gender has been plagued with the question of how to be the ultimate being. Many wonder if being a man means large biceps and abdominals; winning the lady; while plundering and pillaging those around us with intrepid action. Then we question if being a man means being puny and little, yet caring and loving to those around us, giving in to the suffering of life to provide for those around us. Many men do not decide in their lifetime and are lost in the befuddling masses of the population. Many other men go to one extreme or another, However, their quest for finding answers remains a challenge to our half of the species. The true answer to be a man lies somewhere in between being a Conan the Barbarian or a Mr. Rodgers for each possess qualities every man should have. Overall, a true man should be courageous, show respectfulness, demonstrate integrity, and always be optimistic.

What does “becoming a man” mean? When would you say someone has become a man? Becoming a man means, according to Merriam Webster, one possessing in high degree the qualities considered distinctive of manhood; such as courage, strength, and vigor. To me becoming a man doesn’t happen at a certain age, but I think it happens at a time when you possess manhood traits. In the Wake Tech Reader, Rodriguez talks about the independence children want when they grow up in his essay “Family Values. From what I’ve learned growing up, becoming a man means having responsibility, being self dependent, being financially stable to support yourself and possibly others, and having the toughness and grit to get through anything that gets in your way.