“Iron John”, Robert Bly’s magnum opus on what it truly means to be a man in a world that seems to have forgotten. If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and thought, “Is my beard manly enough? Do my flannel shirts scream ‘primal masculinity’? Why do I have this sudden urge to run into the woods and beat a drum?”, then this book might just be the existential flashlight you’ve been searching for.
Bly takes us on a journey through the wild and woolly forests of manhood, using the titular story of Iron John as our guide. For those unfamiliar, Iron John is a tale of a young boy and his escapades with a wild, hairy man he discovers in a cage. It’s kind of like if Tarzan and Chewbacca had a love child and then decided to teach life lessons. Through this allegory, Bly explores the different stages of manhood, from the ‘ash-covered boy’ to the ‘king’. It’s like the circle of life, but with more chest hair.
One of the cornerstones of Bly’s philosophy is the idea that modern men have become too domesticated, too detached from their wild roots. It’s as if centuries of civilization have turned mighty lions into fluffy house cats. To remedy this, Bly suggests a return to older, more primal rituals of manhood. So, if you’ve been looking for an excuse to howl at the moon, dance around a campfire, or just give yourself a mud bath in the backyard, Bly’s got your back.
Bly also touches upon the importance of male mentorship. In a world where father figures range from Darth Vader to Mr. Rogers, finding a true mentor can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. But fear not, for Bly is here to guide us through the murky waters of male bonding. Whether it’s through wilderness retreats or just a good old-fashioned heart-to-heart over a cup of herbal tea, Bly emphasizes the importance of connecting with other men.
Of course, no exploration of masculinity would be complete without delving into the realm of emotions. Bly encourages men to embrace their feelings, to cry when they’re sad, to shout when they’re angry, and to laugh when they find something funny (like this review). It’s a refreshing take, especially in a world where men are often told to “man up” and bottle up their feelings.
“Iron John” is a roller-coaster ride through the jungles of masculinity. It’s a call to arms (or rather, a call to beards) for men everywhere to embrace their inner wild man. While some may scoff at the idea of running off into the woods to find themselves, others will find solace in Bly’s words. So, if you’ve ever felt the urge to unleash your inner caveman or if you just want to understand why your husband has taken up wood chopping as a hobby, give “Iron John” a read. It’s a hairy, heartwarming adventure that’s sure to leave you pondering the mysteries of manhood.