Real Man!

Essay by babycatmeCollege, Undergraduate August 2004

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What makes a real man? A very traditional idea of it is that men are strong, be responsible the protectors, the providers and aggressive. In our society, we always hear people says men must fight for their lovers and nation, men should take care of the family, and man should living for competition. In the essay "Giving up the gun" by Andre Dubus and "How to tell a true war story" by O'Brien, authors indicate that manhood must be earned through moral character, Patriotism and hard work..

In the essay, "Giving Up the Gun," Dubus recognizes the need to resist the link between manliness and gun owning. He had owned a gun in order to protect those whom he loved. For most of his adult life, he had carried a small gun, because it provided the security he needed for himself and his family. He felt he was a big man.

After his accident he continued to own a gun not only to protect others, but also to protect himself and to keep his manhood. But one day, recalling a conflict that almost led him to kill another man, he decides to give up his gun. He ends the essay with these words: "Then I felt something detach itself from my soul, departing, rising, vanishing, and I said to God: It's up to You now. This is not the humble and pure and absolutely spiritual love of turning the other cheek On the train, I gave up answers that are made of steel that fire lead, and I decided to sit in a wheelchair on the frighteningly invisible palm of God." Dubus was hit by a car and spent the rest of his life in a wheelchair. Now, he is more helpless in this situation, he...