White 1

Lucas White

Professor Granillo

English 101

November 27, 2019

English 101 - Abstract

In the past, the role of a man was cemented in our society as being over masculine

breadwinners for a household without being allowed a sliver of deep emotion to escape into

everyday routine. Much like at the same time, women were also sectioned into specific roles that

society stereotypically thought was best suited for them. However, as time went on, progressive

thought and action became tools for women to begin an escape of these bonds and even today

mass movements of equal rights for women have proudly paraded the streets for a change. Much

like women in this sense, men have also been experiencing a change for the better, as I have

noticed many men are becoming more and more self spoken and aware of their feelings which

years before would be deemed as childish or feminine. The songs

“Leaving Again/In the Wee Small Hours” by Kurt Elling, “Ain't No Sunshine” by Bill Withers,

“Smile” performed by Nat King Cole, “Autumn Leaves” performed by Frank Sinatra, and “Send

in the Clowns” performed by Frank Sinatra all depict men expressing their emotion and

heartbreak through the use of music in a time where they were to be open about it they would be

mistreated and shamed. This collection of songs grasps not only the emotion of the men singing,

but when taking into account the period they were released in, how important and brave of them

it was to release the songs that will later be a symbol that it is okay to express how you feel and

inspire men to do just that.