Iron John

Iron John situates itself within the Mythopoetic Movement in literature, a movement that emerged in the late 20th century, focusing on the use of myth, folklore, and ancient stories to address contemporary psychological and social issues. This movement, of which Robert Bly is a key figure, specifically addresses the crises of identity and masculinity experienced in modern society, offering a pathway to understanding and healing through storytelling and myth.

Notably, the movement draws from the Romantic tradition. Romanticism, flourishing in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, prioritized emotion, intuition, and the natural world as essential to understanding human experience. This connection with Romanticism reflects Bly’s desire to return to elemental aspects of the psyche for authenticity and healing, utilizing ancient myths and rites of passage to explore and reclaim a more authentic masculine identity. Following from these traditions, the Mythopoetic Movement draws heavily upon the psychological theories of Carl Jung, particularly the concepts of archetypes, the collective unconscious, and the process of individuation. Additionally, the works of Joseph Campbell, especially his idea of the Hero’s Journey, serve as a foundation for Bly's narrative structure and critical analysis, reinforcing the idea of a universal quest for identity through the stages of separation,