Military Manhood In Tim O Brien's The Things They Carried

Manhood in western societies is pre-programmed, pre-packaged and forced-fed to boys from birth to adulthood. Historically the puriest example of a real man was the military standard. Military manliness dictates that a man must be strong, both physically and mentally, a man must be unfeeling and must be loyal to their fellow commrades. Men must show a certain level of respect for women but never acknowledge them as equal. It is also acceptable to devalue their accomplishments and oversexualize them while confine them to second class roles. Military manhood favors the hetersexual man and believes that he should not gay or exhibit feminine behaviors if he is to be considered a real man. Above all else they must protect what is theirs, the bloodier …show more content…
A man must also show unyielding loyalty to the men in their group, squad or platoon and evenmore so when lives are at risk. Often time loyalty is shown in the form of, “no man left behind” or sustaining the memory of a fallen brother. The the realistic novel “ The Things They Carried” by Tim O'Brien, loyaty is embodied by the overall novel and the events within it. “The Things They Carried” a retelling of the Vietnam War centered around Lieutenant Jim Cross and his company. In the relling of these men's lives, the ordeal they went through and their deaths, keeps the memories of these fallen soliders alive. In the story one of the solider, Ted Lavender is killed in action and after he dies the other soliders “wrapped Lavender in his poncho” and “carried him out to a dry paddy... until the chopper came” (O'Brien 347) By carrying Lavender's body to the chopper to be taken home instead of leaving him where he died shows the men's loyalty and respect. The upheld U.S military code, to not leave anyone behind if it can be helped and honored him by not letting him rot on foreign soil. Another aspect of loyalty and respect is avenging the death of a love one. After the chopper lefts the group of men burned Than Khe down and exacted total carnage on the place. To get revenge on the people who took a love one away in the most intense manifestation of loyalty and though Lavender was not …show more content…
Hip Hop places extreme importance in fidelity and honor amongst other men in the game that, to be disloyal and trustworthy can result in rejection, in shunning and dependent on the circumstance, death. In the business artists is first and foremost loyal to the person who signed them and their label. As an artist, he must always “represent” or pay homage to those who influenced him and came before him. This is shown through shoutouts, label promotion, acknowledgment during award ceremonies and interviews, ectera. In addition to the industry side, there are thousands of song that focus on sincerity. Songs such as Clique by Kanye and Ruff Ryders by DMX talk about being affiliated with a group and doing anything for the betterment of the group or squad. When the proper loyalty is not displayed dis records, public and private brawls and frueds are usually the outcome. Much like in war time disloyalty can and will eventually lead to loss of life; this is why loyalty is so important and in the Hip Hop culture it is