Ideal Man
Ideal Man
Ideal is a word with several different definitions depending on one’s interpretation. Marriam Webster Dictionary says that ideal is “a standard of excellence.” The Random House College Dictionary gives a slightly different meaning with the definition of “regarded as perfect of its kind.” Hence, society can interpret the words standard, excellence, and perfect as they please. Each individual may have a different perspective on the ideal man because of the way they understand the definition or due to a person’s present or past experiences, culture or religion. One’s opinion about the ideal man or character may also change as one passes through the different stages of life. Depending on the author’s age they might write about different standards of excellence and perfection; therefore, creating their own ideal man.
People entering the adolescence stage of their life are generally faced with false impression of their identity and body image. This may reflect in a young author’s view of the ideal man so that he/she focuses primarily on physical characteristics rather than moral concepts. For example, teenagers would most likely view the ideal man to be more of a superhero figure, like Superman, or Batman. These characters are strong, agile, and handsome figures that use their physique to conquer difficulties and resolve crises faced by the general public. Similarly, Gabriel Garcia Marquez described the adolescent’s ideal man excellently in the piece, The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World. This story focuses strictly on the main character’s physical traits. For instance, “Not only was he the tallest, strongest, most virile, and the best built man they had ever seen, but even though they were looking at him there was no room for him in their imaginations.” (Line 30). This statement is summarized the best in the statement made by Reference.com; the ideal hero is a “larger than life figure from a history or legend.” This parallels the teenager’s view of
Ideal is a word with several different definitions depending on one’s interpretation. Marriam Webster Dictionary says that ideal is “a standard of excellence.” The Random House College Dictionary gives a slightly different meaning with the definition of “regarded as perfect of its kind.” Hence, society can interpret the words standard, excellence, and perfect as they please. Each individual may have a different perspective on the ideal man because of the way they understand the definition or due to a person’s present or past experiences, culture or religion. One’s opinion about the ideal man or character may also change as one passes through the different stages of life. Depending on the author’s age they might write about different standards of excellence and perfection; therefore, creating their own ideal man.
People entering the adolescence stage of their life are generally faced with false impression of their identity and body image. This may reflect in a young author’s view of the ideal man so that he/she focuses primarily on physical characteristics rather than moral concepts. For example, teenagers would most likely view the ideal man to be more of a superhero figure, like Superman, or Batman. These characters are strong, agile, and handsome figures that use their physique to conquer difficulties and resolve crises faced by the general public. Similarly, Gabriel Garcia Marquez described the adolescent’s ideal man excellently in the piece, The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World. This story focuses strictly on the main character’s physical traits. For instance, “Not only was he the tallest, strongest, most virile, and the best built man they had ever seen, but even though they were looking at him there was no room for him in their imaginations.” (Line 30). This statement is summarized the best in the statement made by Reference.com; the ideal hero is a “larger than life figure from a history or legend.” This parallels the teenager’s view of