The Male Ideal

Iron Hans is at its root a story to teach a young boy how to be an "ideal man". The character at the heart of the story is, of course, the young boy/gardener/prince. He goes through a series of trials meant to teach him how to be a man, and in the end he gets the princess because he exemplifies the qualities that were hammered into him during the course of the story. Hans shows one side of the male ideal, that of the gruff woodsman and excellent warrior. He epitomizes the wild side of a man, a side that apparently all males should contain within them. However, this side need not take over the outward appearance of a man and should only show up when engaged in violent activities such as war. This is shown by the fact that the young man receives all of this equipment and army from Iron Hans before heading off to war, and he returns them before getting back. In many ways, Iron Hans is analogous to being a part of the boy's inner psyche, one that should always be there, but should only appear when it is needed.

Another side the boy learns while at the court of the emperor as a gardener. He learns to be modest and humble, traits which are also becoming for a male. However, it is not all about the inner self of the man; men also must look good to catch the eye of the princess. The princess first notices the boy not because of his modesty or humbleness, or his skill at war, but rather for his striking looks, especially the hair. So men must have a good exterior to match the good interior. Lastly, a man must fulfill his destiny and not try and change it. The boy was born a prince, and although he was off working and learning to be a man this was only a temporary activity. This shows how the tale supports the social structure of the time: one is born into one's final activity, but one must take active steps to be the best that one can be at that activity.

So, all in all this tale discusses the ideal of "maleness", and what it should and should not entail. It does not so much teach young men as give them an example for their final product.