Graceling Men and Masculinity Quotes

We know that Randa isn't speaking to Raffin at the beginning of the book because Raffin has inadvertently dyed his hair blue, which Randa thinks is "appalling behavior for the son of the king" (6.11). But it sounds like Randa doesn't spend a lot of time talking with, or listening to, his son. Why do you think that is? Do you think they have a typical father-son relationship? Do you think it has anything to do with Randa's masculinity, or his sense of Raffin's masculinity, or any kind of masculinity at all? Why or why not?

This is one instance in which Po proves himself not to be a stereotypical male. And what, you may ask, does Shmoop think a stereotypical male would do in this situation? Well, whether it's a fair characterization or not, we've heard enough throw-like-a-girl, run-like-a-girl, let's-go-ladies (that last one addressed to a group of boys or men) comments over the years to believe that a stereotypical man might be insulted or humiliated after being beaten by a woman in a physical competition.

Po, on the other hand, doesn't seem bothered at all. He laughs, and his laugh seems genuine. Go figure… and go, Po.

Here Giddon demonstrates that one role men have been stereotypically expected to play is that of protector, and you know, there's a certain nobility in that. Except when the object of one's protection doesn't ask for, want, or need it. Then it's just annoying. And arrogant.

Po understands that in order to establish a peaceable relationship with Giddon, he needs to defer to Giddon's masculine notion that he is not only Katsa's protector, but her established suitor. Diplomatically it's a smart move, and quite possibly a necessary one.

Aha, but here Katsa discovers that Po, who is a man, isn't like that either. So where's her theory stand now? On shaky ground, probably. And that's the thing about stereotypes. Sure they often exist for a reason—because they've been found to apply in a lot of situations—but if they don't apply in all situations, what's the point of paying attention to them at all? Can stereotypes ever be helpful, or should we try to avoid them at all times?

Unlike Giddon, who needs to see himself as Katsa's provider and protector, Po is perfectly comfortable letting her take on these traditionally male roles. The shocking part? He doesn't lose one ounce of his masculinity in the process. And in the end Katsa, despite taking on these masculine roles, is still a woman.

Katsa, who has seen so many vulnerable women and girls over the years, is naturally looking at this situation through that lens and seeing how women and girls are short-changed when they are not empowered them to defend themselves. We think that's completely true, but we also wonder how boys and men are shortchanged by this situation.

What kind of pressure is placed on them to serve as the protectors of their mothers, sisters, and daughters? What kinds of rivalries are set up between men because of this situation? And what about the young boy who finds himself just as vulnerable and ill-equipped to defend himself as his sister? How must he feel about his inability to fulfill his duty as a male?

Bitterblue, of course, has good reason to fear men—her father wasn't exactly a positive model of appropriate male behavior. But this general fear of men isn't exclusive to Bitterblue. Unfortunately, because of images we see on news programs and statistics we hear about domestic violence, rape, murder, and other violent crimes, we tend all too often to view men in a threatening light. Not all men, certainly, but many men, and most of them unfairly so.

Or is Shmoop just making that up? What do you think? Do men get a fair shake in the modern world? Do they get unfairly characterized? More often than women? Less often? The same? Go ahead. Talk amongst yourselves.

We're glad that Bitterblue gets a chance to learn that not all men are like her father, which is to say that not all men are intent on harming defenseless (as well as defensible) people and animals. Between her time with Po, Patch, Skye, and Ror, she should be able to piece together a much more flattering picture of masculinity.

There's a lot to be said for girl power. Katsa and Captain Faun are positive female role models for Bitterblue, as was her mother, Ashen. And we think it's great that Katsa is teaching her defend herself.

But as Katsa recognizes, one of the most important parts of Bitterblue's recovery from Leck's abuses is the support she gets from these sailors who help her to see that she needn't fear half the population of the world based on their gender. They prove to her that while being masculine often means being strong or powerful, it also means using that strength and power to be kind, gentle, and supportive.