This is… actually an astonishingly good way of explaining this concept.
I literally might end up seriously using this.
masculinity is when you war crime
(just kidding I like this way of communicating this idea)
masculinity is when you warcrimed but not anymore
This shit confuses me. Iroh was a war general, aside from that like… what makes him masculine? Ozai is tyranical, but that’s not a trait limited to men, so again I don’t really get it.
(in the era of ATLA,) Iroh was protective and caring, as well as strong. He invested in the growth of others, and used his power to move the world and people around him in a better direction. He pursued his interests without caring overly much for how others would perceive them. He was absolutely a good example of masculinity IMO.
I think the author is using them as examples of masculinity — toxic and non-toxic — simply because they’re men.
Iroh is a man therefore he’s masculine. What would Iroh have to do for you to consider him masculine?
Iroh isn’t a man. He’s the man
Pass wisdom and virtues of humility and patience. Pass down your experience and ability so that the next generation (not just your own children) can build a better world for themselves. Stand as a bastion of emotional calm, while showing that you understand how to deal with your grief and anger in healthy ways. And use the consequences of your past abuses of these virtues to warn the next generation to not do the same.
This is exactly who Iroh was.
