Changing What It Means to Be a Man

    In "Two Bikers Embrace on Broad Street", Ross Gay flips traditional ideas of masculinity on their head. The poem shows two men sharing a surprising moment of tenderness in public, and through this, Gay challenges the idea that being a man means you have to be tough, and emotionally distant. Right from the start, the imagery in the poem grabs attention. The bikers, who are usually seen as symbols of strength and independence, are shown embracing each other. The act of embracing is usually seen as a symbol of love and care, which isn't always connected with how society expects men to act. This moment is even more powerful because it takes place on Broad Street, a busy, public space where people might not expect to see something so intimate. The metaphor of the bikers "hugging the world" adds another layer to the poem. It suggests that the bikers’ embrace isn’t just about them, it’s a way of showing love to the world around them. This idea goes against the usual view of masculinity, which often ties it to power and dominance. Instead, Gay shows that being masculine can also be about emotional openness and kindness.

The symbolism in the poem also helps break down traditional views of masculinity. The bikers, who might typically be seen as strong, self-reliant men, represent a new kind of masculinity, one that includes connection and emotional support. The street itself, usually a symbol of isolation or busy routines, becomes a place for intimacy and emotional closeness, which is a big shift from what we might normally expect in such a public space. The way the poem is structured, short stanzas and no punctuation, gives it a sense of freedom and openness. It’s almost as if the poem reflects the bikers’ embrace, showing masculinity doesn’t have to follow strict rules. It can be something fluid, something more about connection than control. Taking the end of the poem into account, this reimagination of masculinity could really change the way we view men in society. If men were allowed to express their emotions and connect with each other in a way that isn’t based on competition or toughness, it could shift the way power works in the world. In The Barbie Movie, Ken’s journey shows how he breaks free from being defined by "Ken-dom" and starts finding his own identity, discovering his emotions and his worth. Similarly, Gay’s poem invites us to see that men don’t have to be confined by old ideas of masculinity, they can embrace love and vulnerability instead. In conclusion, Ross Gay’s "Two Bikers Embrace on Broad Street" offers a new way to think about masculinity, one that’s rooted in love and connection. By showing two men embracing, Gay challenges us to rethink what it means to be a man and suggests that breaking away from old, limiting ideas could lead to a more emotionally open world.