regarding two of his male characters. One (Gene) is clearly more open minded and sensitive while the other (Tasli) is more strict about following "boy rules" (my phrase). That got me thinking, what are these boy rules, and how do my own pair of male characters stand in relation to them? One clearly is completely unconcerned and uninhibited by them (Kyaw), while the other lives in fear of them, not wanting to fall short of their ideal. So I thought of expressing this through body language next to a literal list of rules.
(1) In the first image we have Kyaw literally shooing the boy rules away, not angrily or resentfully, but playfully like they are beneath concern. He's easily breaking rules 5 and 6 just from this flippant defiance of the rules. Note that only rules 1-5 appear here, I didnt have enough room for all 10 so I split into into two "Tablets" again in reference to the ten commandments. Just to be clear kyaw is rejecting all 10 here, not just the 5 in front of him.
(2) In the second image we have Sven saluting the rules with his left hand appearing to stand to attention. It would appear these are the standards that Sven lives and swears by, but on closer observation we see a sweat drop, a worried expression on his face, his knees are shaking, and his ears and tails are down. Is Sven afraid he wont be able to live up to these expectations? Is he afraid of the humilation and ridicule he'd endure for failure? Again Sven is only shown before 6-10 but it should be understood he's paying respect to all 10.
I actually went through the trouble of essentially developing the "ten commandments of being a boy" and what you'll realise is that its not so much about affirmation as it is about negation. Its primarily by avoiding various signs of "weakness" and "vice" that one is preceived as "strong". I wont attempt to do this subject justice here as there is a lot to it, but I will list out the ten rules here for those interested. These were of my own devising. My goal was to be as comprehensive and concise as possible. I wanted to fit it within exactly ten rules to parallel with the ten commandments (note that there is no order of importance here). Lastly I avoided using rules like "dont be a sissy" or "dont be gay" etc. Because these phrases rely on pre-existing knowledge of what is meant. My goal was to get past all the loaded language and get to the heart of what is actually being avoided, to make it explicit, as it were. Lastly these rules were specifically designed, to some extent, to be the exact sort of rules Kyaw would violate, so keep that in mind.
Trying to fit all of this into 10 simple rules was not easy. It took me the better part of an afternoon. Hopefully they encapsulate almost all the avoidance behavior males engage in in order to filfill their role as males. If you think there is anything major missing here feel free to comment and discuss.
Please do not attack me. Remember discussing or exploring an idea is not identical to advocating for it. If something upsets you please discuss it, but dont direct your anger at me, I didnt "make" these rules, I merely tried to distill everything I feel like Ive been taught without it ever being said directly.
I wanted to bring these ideas into explicit form precisely so they could be examined and dissected rather than just be there implicitly. I think a lot of this is unspoken, but I think we can recognise them as being the unwritten rules ... written down. Which means they can be critiqued. The main point here however was not to make a hard statement for or against such principles but rather to explain my characters in relation to them as part of their development as characters. I could say plenty about this subject but I dont want to go too deep into it here. Perhaps at a later point in time. In any case here are the 10 rules:
BOY RULES (NOT OPTIONAL!)
I. Never cry, replace with stoic resolve, indifference, or anger.
II. Stand out by excelling through physical prowess or bravery, not through self-expression, being different, interests, quirks, etc.
III. Always err on the side of restraint when expressing ones feelings for other boys, whether in words, deeds, intimacy, or affection.
IV. Never comment on the attractiveness of other boys even if asked by a girl, act like you are either incapable of making an assessment or that you are actively disgusted by being asked to try.
V. Curb your enthusiasm! Dont just be inexplicably giddy, cheerful, and/or upbeat just for being you. Be chill and relaxed. Happiness must be earned through achievement and even then should be boastful and confrontational not just self-satisfied.
VI. Never be overly cutsie, playful, garish, or physically expressive. Movement should be purposeful not merely decorative. Dont draw attention to your body unless it is to show your physical prowess. Dont imply you are just nice to look at (like a girl would)! You're attractive for what you can do, not how you look.
VII. Always respond with disgust towards boy nudity and esp. Boy-on-boy intimacy. Be hostile of closeness from boys you do not know, and wary of those you do.
VIII. Always be evasive about ones fears, weaknesses, and insecurities, even with girls. Never whine or complain when put upon. Respond to personal failure with anger, and competitive failure with declarations of a victorious rematch. Never be overly complimentary towards those who defeat you.
IX. Fain ignorance on all matters of aesthetics. Do not engage in trivia for its own sake. Interests should be on competition, practical skills, and girls, not knowledge for its own sake or enjoyment.
X. Always respond with reproach to other boys breaking any of these rules.
Can i consider being the second to comment then ? XP
So let's see here : 1- I cry ... for both sad and happy scene/music in film/game/song so...yeah... 2- I think i do everything here but physical prowess...doing sport hurts...it sucks and self expression...I'm a shadow after all ^^' 3- Aaaah ! I Actually do that ! Not good to express myself in general...by talking.... 4- Don't know, i have never been asked XP 5- No can do...i can't hide it when i'm happy... 6- I'm not attrative...coma ^^' And i'm dyspraxic...i'm not good with decorative movement neither XD 7- I like closeness which...in the actual condition is more like a curse D: 8- I'm all about compliment whatever winning or loosing. I value honesty as much as we can through so...i'm only evasive if i must ^^ 9- But..but...i love to learn ! I'm a lore eater, i feed upon good stories >;D 10- Meh, who cares ! XP
I liked the concept, it funny to see the rules written so you can compare yourself to them ^^
Can i consider being the second to comment then ? XP So let's see here : 1- I cry ... for both sad
Well, thats sorta the idea. They are only meant to codify a very rigid and utilitarian view of what a male should strive to become. Guidelines for how to turn boys into "men".
My boys live outside of these restraints and are ideally imagined as innocent of them. They represent a natural state before being programmed into their "gender role". Much like before the fall, they live in an edenic state of emotional openness, free of shame. They express how they feel and dont hide it. This is certainly true of Jonah, Kyaw, and Binx. They often teach their counterparts to unlearn their programming and reconnect with their suppressed self.
Well, thats sorta the idea. They are only meant to codify a very rigid and utilitarian view of what
