Bob Dylan Is a Man
December 11, 2009 | Filed Under Small Talk
I’ve been spending a lot of time lately thinking about (and trying to embody) real, cowboy style, confident manhood. It’s an art that’s lost on our society.
In my view, being a man requires: honor, truthfulness, self-deprecating humor, strength, confidence, self-reliance, dependence on God, standing up for what’s good, bucking convention when convention is wrong, love of nature, a commitment to justice, an appreciation of duty, willingness to take responsibility, ability to make tough decisions, seeing life as an adventure, grabbing the bull by the horns, protecting the family at all costs, doing things that provide for the family, the ability to stare fear in the face and say “get the f*ck out of the way, Satan”, a sincere desire to do what is right: to forsake convention when it is clearly wrong.
I think that many of these things are deeply situated in our being as human males – and many of these propensities are so fundamental that they are preserved in our biology.
Unfortunately, these innate features of men are subdued by a society that worships convention, convenience and conformity to very boring and dull lifestyles. The brilliant dystopian film Fight Club illustrates exactly the sort of effect that modern society has on the soul’s of men. It’s not an overstatement to suggest that many man are living lives as caged animals – fenced in by the conventions of wide-scale, emasculated social structures – without much opportunity to express their true natures – the deepest desires of their heart. Want an answer as to why professional sports are so popular? Or video games? Because they serve as a way to live vicariously the lives that men wish they could live in real life – heroic, adventurous, conquering.
Thankfully, there are a few heroes out there that we can still look to for inspiration, whether in attitude or achievement. In fact, probably not just a few. Just a few that still have the spotlight shining on them. I hope to point them out on my blog from time to time. To honor them. To look up to them. To recognize their virtues.
Today, because I was reading some of his interviews, I’m recognizing Bob Dylan. There really isn’t any explanation needed here, other than to say: look at the confidence with which he responds to the questions he gets asked in the interviews he conducts. Unashamed, unflappable confidence. There is very little qualification. Very little backtracking. He’s not ashamed to point out bullshit when he sees it. He doesn’t feel compelled to defend himself against silly attitudes. And the guy doesn’t take himself too seriously. He saves his seriousness for the things that matter, like truth, justice and God.
http://www.bobdylan.com/#/cith-conversation
Question: The Chicago Tribune felt this record needed more irreverence. Doesn’t that miss the point?
Answer: Well sure it does, that’s an irresponsible statement anyway. Isn’t there enough irreverence in the world? Who would need more? Especially at Christmas time.
No related posts.
Comments
5 Responses to “Bob Dylan Is a Man”
Leave a Reply
I’m in love with Bob Dylan, the myth – the person he’s very carefully crafted. The man? Well, that side of him I willfully overlook. And it’s hard to reconcile that split.
Nonetheless, everyday’s a celebration of him around here, and he inspires me to live authentically, even if I can’t say he’s done so himself.
From Wikipedia: ”In a 2004 interview, Dylan explained: “You’re born, you know, the wrong names, wrong parents. I mean, that happens. You call yourself what you want to call yourself. This is the land of the free.”
Anyone born Robert Allen Zimmerman who calls himself Bob Dylan is not, in my book, a confident and secure man. He is a man who changed some core things about himself to create the image the society was expecting of him. In my book, he is a coward.
I agree with Megan. He has not led an authentic life. His persona, his image — are all a fake. Much like Michael Jackson’s skin, Bob Dylan’s name is a cover.
Oleg and Megan,
I respectfully disagree (or… you guys are morons!).
I’m not saying that every aspect of Dylan is quintessential manliness. After all, I sure as hell wouldn’t want him protecting me from an assailant. But there are aspects of his character, at least as I perceive it, that I think embody manliness.
As for a man crafting his persona – I see no problem with this, unless it is an explicit front. Both of you suggest that the Bob Dylan I perceive isn’t real. It’s more complicated than that though. We all fall short of our ideals, and we all spend time crafting ourselves. Unless Bob Dylan the man is radically different than the Bob Dylan who comes through in his interviews, I’m not going to retract my main points in this post.
Okay, okay. I wouldn’t go so far as to say he’s a fake, and I definitely don’t think of him as a coward, or crafting an image for his fans (hello? Royal Albert Hall? Christian conversion? etc?). Quite the contrary, really. In that regard, I agree that this character he’s created isn’t a problem; can’t argue, he’s been authentic to his ART.
Please tell me you’ve seen I’m Not There?? (title explicit enough for ya?)
He’s a good man. It would be a nicer world if there were more men with keen sensiblities, wit, charm and the abiltiy to turn a phrase (with confidence and craftsmanship). Sometimes it seems like it’s a vanishing art. Men who care that much about their craft are a treasure and a blessing.