The Importance of Male Role Models for Young Boys

David Burrell English 9 Mr. Kinrick 20 May 2012 Male Role Models, Do Boys Need Them or Not? Role models can influence young boys in good ways and in bad ways. Good role models can help young boys develop positive characteristics and bad role models can help young boys develop negative characteristics. In general, good role models help young boys set good goals, develop good values and make good decisions. It is interesting that sometimes, a bad role model can have a positive influence on a young boy. For example, a young boy can observe bad behavior and decide that he does not want to copy that bad behavior.

However, this is an exception. In general, young boys should seek to copy the behavior of good role models and avoid bad role models. As young boys grow into men, they develop their values and learn how to make decisions and how to choose right from wrong. Young boys need good male role models. In the four stories covered by this paper, are examples of boys following role models. Some follow good role models and some choose bad ones. In Old Man and the Sea, there is one boy, Manolin and one role model, the old man. The old man is a good role model and Manolin benefits and learn valuable lessons.

In Lord of the Flies, there are several boys and several role models, but the two main role models are Jack and Ralph. The boys learn how to do things the right way from Ralph, the good role model, and how to do things the wrong way from Jack, the bad role model. In Of Mice and Men, George, an intelligent and cynical man is the role model. Lennie, a man of limited abilities, is protected by his role model, George. George and Lenny are friends. Their relationship is beneficial to each of them because George is able to protect his friend, Lennie and, Lennie can avoid being abused by other people because he is protected by his role model.

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In Hamlet, there is no obvious role model. Hamlet shows that people can make decisions without a role model. The role model situations for each of these stories are explained in the following paragraphs. In Old Man and the Sea, Manolin’s male role model is Santiago. Manolin wants to learn how to fish like Santiago. Manolin looks up to Santiago as a role model. Santiago accepts this ‘role model’ type role and tries to teach Manolin. Santiago also teaches Manolin right from wrong. Santiago points out to Manolin that he should pay for things instead of stealing them: “Two, ‘the old man agreed. “You didn’t steal them? I would, ‘the boy said”. “But I brought these. ” “Thank you,” the old man said. He was too simple to wonder when he had attained humility. But he knew he had attained it and he knew it was not disgraceful and it carried no loss of true pride” (Hemingway 3). At this point in the story, the old man felt a sense of pride. He had taught Manolin a useful life lesson, not to steal. He knew the Manolin did not yet understand what he had learned, but Santiago believed that Manolin would remember this lesson. The old man was Manolin’s role model, friend and companion. He taught him to have strength of character and to believe in the truth.

It was the job of the old man to teach and pass down what he learned in life so life would be easier for Manolin. Manolin’s friendship and respect for the old man made it easy for the boy to learn from his role model. This is similar to what happens in Lord of the Flies. In Lord of the Flies, Ralph and Jack, both have man like qualities to become men and do become men. In Lord of the Flies, Ralph and Jack become two different leaders of two very different groups. Jack’s group is the rebellious type. They do whatever they want. Ralph’s group always follows orders: Ralph counted. “I’m chief then”… “Jack’s in charge of the choir.

They can be—what do you want them to be? ” “Hunters. ” Jack and Ralph smiled at each other with shy liking. ” (Golding 23) Ralph being the chief shows that he has leadership qualities. When he blew on the Conch everyone responded and came running. By him doing that, that made everyone make him the chief. Boys learn to become men by looking up to other men. In this case, they are looking up to another boy who has the same qualities that other men have. Those qualities could be good or bad. Jack is the role model for those boys that have an adventurous nature. That is why Jack becomes the leader of the hunting party.

His adventurous nature allows him to not have fear when he is out hunting wild animals. Now after Lord of the Flies onto the third story Of Mice and Men. In Of Mice and Men, George is Lennie’s role model. The story does not discuss how George and Lennie formed their friendship, but it does mention that they have a shared dream to one day own their own piece of land. Lennie has mental limitations. He loves stroking soft things, like kittens, soft materials and other things. Lennie is dependent on George for protection and security. Lennie is not a leader. He is comfortable letting George lead and following George’s lead.

George is Lennie’s “protector” from people who want to harm him. George explains to Lennie how to defend himself: “Don’t let him pull you in—but—if the son-of-a-bitch socks you—let ‘im have it. ” “Let ‘im have what, George? ”(Steinbeck, 16). Unfortunately, even when George tries to protect Lennie, Lennie shows how helpless he is. Lennie still does not understand what “let ‘im have It” means. Lennie definitely needs a protector. In Of Mice and Men, Lennie is perfectly happy doing whatever George suggests. Fortunately for Lennie, George is a kind, caring and protecting type of role model.

Without George as a role model, Lennie would not survive very long. If George was a bad role model, Lennie would not make it past the first chapter of the story. Lennie definitely benefits from having a positive role model. This is not the case in Hamlet. In Hamlet, there are no role models. Hamlet does not have a role model. Hamlet uses his own values and makes his decisions without the benefit of a role model. Hamlet made up a play to find out if his uncle really did poison his dad and kill him: “I’ll have these players Play something like the murder of my father before mine uncle. I’ll observe his looks. I’ll tent him to the quick.

If’ a do blench, I know my course”… “I’ll have grounds More relative than this. The play’s the thing Wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the king. ” (Shakespeare lns. 535-546) Hamlet was not led by a role model and he did not follow anyone’s decision. Hamlet did what he thought was best. When Hamlet accidentally killed Polonius, Hamlet chose to be arrogant and to act like it was not an accident. This was a bad decision. Hamlet should have admitted that this was an accident. If he had done this he would not have caused Ophelia, his fiancee to dislike him. This story is an example that shows that people can make decision without a role model.

This suggests that role models are not needed. However, if we analyze Hamlet’s decisions, we can see that Hamlet made some bad decisions. If Hamlet had the benefit of a good male role model, he would have likely made better decisions. It is clear to see that role models influence the way young boys make their decisions. Positive role models like Santiago, in Old Man and the Sea, Ralph in Lord of the Flies and George Milton in Of Mice and Men had a strong positive and beneficial impact. Manolin learned how to fish, from a great fisherman. Manolin also learned not to steal. Boys who hose Ralph as their role model learned how to do the right thing, how to survive and how not to become savages. Lennie learned the value of having a role model and friend who cared for and protected him. On the other hand Hamlet made his own decisions without the help of a role model. While Hamlet was not influenced by a bad role model, which is a good thing, Hamlet could have made better decisions if he had a positive role model. If Manolin did not learn not to steal, he could have a life of crime as a thief instead of a successful life as a great fisherman. Young boys clearly need positive role models.

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