physical strength as a value
Although I am unfairly cherry picking my examples I am curious if the idea holds water. My wife has many times brought up that many Hollywood action heroes today are short in height. Examples Sylvester Stallone, Arnold S., Mel Gibson, and I began to think about physical prowess how in the past a man’s and probably but not as much women’s physical strength was a factor in how one was assessed.(keep your shirt on I am not equating being short to being weak) Again in history starting with George Washington the first thing people would say about him was his height 6 feet 2,, he was the best horseman n America and his bearing of strength. That was a major factor why he was selected to head the revolutionary army. (Look at his military record not impressive 2 battles lost one cheated on the other. I know he also had uniform.) Today Jul 4th Abraham Lincoln talk about physical prowess and height. Lincoln was called by his detractors as an ape, ugly etc., many times he would enter a town and wrestle with the strongest he rarely lost. At age 60 he could still lift an axe by just his fingers arm held straight out try it. PM if you can do it.
Frederick Douglas another large tall and physically strong man. Escaping slavery that alone took such strength. He is described as a lion of a man. I know much of that had to do with his grey mane like beard and African heritage but I also think people heard and could feel his strength thus he gained further respect.
Finally Walt Whitman, gay man, tall 6 feet 2 maybe 3 inches large barrel chest. He almost always wore clothes of the working man from boots shirt, always opened. He wanted to convey a sense of physical manliness. Which also might have come from his up bringing? His father and all his brothers and he were carpenters, and house builders.
I remember the picture of Ronald Reagan at his California estate they tended to have him chopping wood or describe him doing some physical task.
Finally Theodore Roosevelt this skinny weak, near bind, asthmatic kid who goes to Harvard with the intention of totally changing his body he joins the boxing team by he time he graduates and heads of to Montana or North Dakota? He will be described for ever as a tower of pugilistic strength.. Here is my wondering
Now physical strength means the gym. There is no real need in our society. Does it also means that perseverance and willingness to take on burdens have dropped? just some personal junk I would never in my life been considered physically strong although perseverance and the nastines that drives it would be identified
Frederick Douglas another large tall and physically strong man. Escaping slavery that alone took such strength. He is described as a lion of a man. I know much of that had to do with his grey mane like beard and African heritage but I also think people heard and could feel his strength thus he gained further respect.
Finally Walt Whitman, gay man, tall 6 feet 2 maybe 3 inches large barrel chest. He almost always wore clothes of the working man from boots shirt, always opened. He wanted to convey a sense of physical manliness. Which also might have come from his up bringing? His father and all his brothers and he were carpenters, and house builders.
I remember the picture of Ronald Reagan at his California estate they tended to have him chopping wood or describe him doing some physical task.
Finally Theodore Roosevelt this skinny weak, near bind, asthmatic kid who goes to Harvard with the intention of totally changing his body he joins the boxing team by he time he graduates and heads of to Montana or North Dakota? He will be described for ever as a tower of pugilistic strength.. Here is my wondering
Now physical strength means the gym. There is no real need in our society. Does it also means that perseverance and willingness to take on burdens have dropped? just some personal junk I would never in my life been considered physically strong although perseverance and the nastines that drives it would be identified
