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ANONYMOUS:
I'd argue that Izzy is all for toxic masculinity of a particular kind. According to toxic masculinity, there is only one way to be a strong man. A strong man doesn't wear pretty clothes or eat prissy delicacies. He's only allowed one emotion: anger. Sadness is weakness. No crying, ever. There is nothing more shameful. Real men shove their emotions so far down they don't even understand what they're feeling. They're harsh, because if you're anything less you won't be feared, and fear is respect. A man earns his worth through deeds; incompetent men are worthless. The L-word must never be spoken. The only way to touch another man is with violence. No tenderness, not ever. TL;DR: Izzy yells at everyone because he doesn't know how to say, "I'm really worried and I need your support right now and a hug to reassure me of my worth as a person." It's black and white for Izzy. Either you're an effective pirate but emotionally stunted or you're a complete mess due to weak feminine emotions. Ed probably believes that too at this point. Neither realize balance is possible.
Okay yeah, I can see and agree with that point. But I’d also like to offer that in the world Izzy is from, it’s highly likely Ed would have been backstabbed very, very quickly for flouncing around in a robe and hiding in a blanket fort.
Like, Izzy tried to make the ship his world and nearly died for it (tied to an anchor to throw overboard!!) and he’s tough. Imagine Ed back in their world and in that robe, crying? He’d be dead. Izzy too because Izzy would protect and defend him. Mutiny would have gone down instantly.
I think there’s a big level of protection going on: Izzy wants to keep Ed (and himself) safe.
ANONYMOUS:
Sorry about your internet and headache! How it comes back soon and you feel better. Regarding toxic masculinity, I think you're right about it being practical for survival in the pirate lifestyle, but I think there is also a level of irrational fear. Izzy trying to keep Ed's breakdown secret from a typical pirate crew makes sense. But this is The Revenge. The crew are nothing but supportive of Ed, and don't judge him. Unlike Ed, who has been learning to open up in this safe environment that allows for vulnerablility, Izzy is hypervigilint. Nowhere is safe, never show weakness. Obviously Stede's incompetent crew aren't a good pirate crew in terms of the practicalities. Stede's kind of travelling in the opposite direction. He started out completely soft and oblivious, but he's been slowly becoming more comfortable with danger and violence without completely losing his softness. I guess I think a potential character arc for Izzy might involve him learning that it is possible to make some space for softness in his life without becoming a crap pirate. Same for Ed, who felt heartbreak and is trying to protect himself by becoming the impenetrable kraken.
Aww, thanks. We just got fibre and I was rather enjoying Super Fast Internet and then out of nowhere: outage. -_- sigh. At least I have Minecraft and nonny and meta to keep me company!
I agree with all of this re: Izzy etc. I also think that Izzy and Ed need to go on similar journeys to realizing there’s a balance, much like Stede and Mary needed to go together to realize they could be happy apart (but also support one another).
ALSO! it’s worth remembering that Izzy was not ON the Revenge for episodes… Fuck, which ones? He took off after the fuckery episode, so he didn’t get to be there for the treasure hunt, and I feel like one more? I can’t check rn. But also he didn’t get to see that side of the crew because of it. No Jim backstory. No Lucius telling Ed off for being a dick to Stede. None of the entire crew turning on Jack for hurting Buttons when he killed Karl.
He didn’t see any of that.