a man to be made whole

[beeja]

Did you ever read the "Iron John" of Robert Bly which is a resulting book from one of the Brothers Grimm tales about a manhood? I have some questions. (Though you didn't read it before, but if you can help me answer the following question, it's much appreciated!!!

:D

1) It says "This story helps establish the men's movement and inspires its drum-beating, tree-hugging stereotype".

Does "drum-beating" and "tree-hugging" imply anything? Or just an action that men like to do? Why it use the word "stereotype" here?

2) What does "a man to be made whole" mean?

In the story, it compares a "flying boy" who believes that nothing can hold him down with a "man to be made whole". For a man who be made whole, there has to be something that rips him open, a wound that allows his soul to enter. Is "a man to be made whole" is a real gentleman or what?



3) "Men start to think more about their fathers as they get older, and mythology has much to say about the heaviness of "entering the father's house", leaving behind the expectation of lightness and comfort to face grim reality.

What does the bold phrase exactly mean? is it very difficult for a man to face his father?



Thank you!

[Casiopea]

[quote="beeja"]Did you ever read the "Iron John" of Robert Bly which is a resulting book from one of the Brothers Grimm tales about a manhood? I have some questions. (Though you didn't read it before, but if you can help me answer the following question, it's much appreciated!!!

:D

1) It says "This story helps establish the men's movement and inspires its drum-beating, tree-hugging stereotype".

drums (a ceremonial object); tree-hugging (Some men's groups are/were held outdoors. The belief being that one can find one's true nature by being around Nature.) Not all men's groups have drums or are held outdoors.


2) A man complete in soul and body, mind and health, educated in life and understood by others. A man who knows who he is in the fullest sense; a whole man.

3) We rebel against our fathers as we grow up; we leave his house and build our own life, different from his, his rule and control; and yet when we return to our father's house, our expectations of lightness (loss of the heavy burden our father's carried through life) and our expectations of comfort (a future of our own, a new beginning), we realize just how much we have grown to be more like our fathers. That's the grim reality. :)