TW // Lil Cal , Bro

This will be a thread because I don’t know how to word it concisely. I’ve talked a lot in the past about the affects of Lil Cal on Bro as a general demon soul parasite with an agenda. But I’ve been thinking a lot about Caliborn’s toxic masculinity (1/11)

We know Caliborn is pretty much textbook toxic masculinity. We also know that toxic masculinity is a main theme in both Striders’ arcs. This is connected. Essentially- Caliborn based his version of “masculinity” off of Dirk and Jake (especially Dirk but we’ll get to that) (2/11)

Caliborn finds both alpha boys’ masculinity admirable and incorporates it into Lord English who becomes the patriarch of multiple universes and influences different cultures’ obsession with it. Lord English IS what dictates the cultural masculinity standards. (3/11)

Though Dirk and Jake influenced these standards by leaving such an impression on Caliborn, they are in turn raised by the very standards they set. They (ESPECIALLY Dirk, though definitely Jake too) feel the need to live up to these impossible and unhealthy standards. (4/11)

Despite all this however, they grow into themselves. Caliborn’s view of them is not entirely accurate and so neither of them truly become what he thinks they are or what the culture they influenced thinks they should be. This is where I’m about to make a weird claim. (5/11)

I will be focusing on Dirk from now on in this thread because while Jake DEFINITELY plays a huge role, this is leading to a discussion about the one Caliborn wanted to be “bros” with. Btw wow Caliborn, that’s kinda gay. (6/11)

In Dirk’s timeline, he grows up hundreds of years away from society. All standards of masculinity, while there, are historical relics to be upheld as more of a performance. An area of interest to be explored. Role play. Lil Cal is empty. You don’t HAVE to wear the hat. (7/11)

So what would Dirk be if he were actually surrounded by these cultural ideas in real time? He already cares SO much about upholding these values of Manhood when they’re 400 years obsolete. (Btw not getting into that here but WOW the trans energy there lol) (8/11)

Well! I’d argue that we’d have to look to mister Bro Strider for that answer. Lil Cal being a genuinely genuinely evil and corrupting influence aside, we must remember that this Lil Cal is pretty much Caliborn whispering (and laughing) in Bro’s ear. (9/11)

Back to toxic masculinity- Bro literally has the embodiment of toxic masculinity all up in his ear at all times via Lil Cal. Which is really just part of this whole awful negative feed back loop of Dirk and Caliborn and masculinity. (10/11)

Oh but also I do find it fun how Caliborn wanted to be “bros” with Dirk and the version of Dirk that a version of Caliborn ended up as life partners with was called “Bro.” (I swear- love it or hate it- dirkuu is canon) anyway I’m done now, I just find this all interesting (11/11)