How to Train Your Dragon II: Heroic Masculinity and the Holy Family

Many people would argue that there is a crisis of masculinity in film today. That there are no longer any strong father figures in movies and that masculinity is contorted to mean only violence and control. The fatherless society that we live in certainly has seeped its way into mainstream media, but I can think of a few shining examples that counteract this inauthentic trend. Exhibit A- How to Train your Dragon II. Not only does this film highlight the struggles and successes of a father/son relationship, but it also portrays the self-sacrificial love of the father as protector, and even carries a theme that upholds the value of the traditional family unit.

The Father/Son Relationship and the Family Unit

Towards the beginning of the film (and carried over from the first movie), it is clear to see that Stoick and Hiccup have a bit of a rocky father/son relationship. They argue and disagree, demand and disobey, and Hiccup seems to be experiencing a teenage crisis about what it means to be a real Viking. As the movies progress, Hiccup comes to his own, but is still a gawky teen with tension-filled communications and mutual misunderstandings with his dad. But this all changes once Hiccup finds his mother. Suddenly, Hiccup and his father are able to truly see each other. The mutual hurt of Stoick's missing his wife and Hiccup lack of nurturing support from a mother had unknowingly driven a wedge in their relationship. Once Valka, the mother, enters the picture we see a newfound balance in the family dynamic. Stoick is able to let go of the bottled up hurt from his loss and Hiccup is able to grow in the confidence that comes from sweet and unconditional love. Valka’s gentle nurturing love helps mellow out Stoick’s authoritative nature in a complementary embrace that helps Hiccup overcome (most of) his awkwardness and grow into a strong young man ready to assume a role as chief.

St Joseph and The Holy Family

Since we’re talking about the traditional family unit, how could I not at least mention the Holy Family and a potentially tangential parallel?

We all know that Mary and Jesus have a certain “special quality”. I mean, one is the Immaculate Conception and the other is God, so… But what about St Joseph? He’s not at the level of Mary and Jesus, but that doesn’t stop him from rising to the occasion and being a spectacular demonstration of what a father should be. Think of it this way: Hiccup and his mother have a special “dragon sense”, Stoic doesn’t, but he still comes around and supports his family with their calling whole-heartedly, even though he doesn’t share in the special gift of this “dragon sense”. Stoic is a spectacular example of masculinity's role as protector of his family, just like St Joseph.

I'd like to make one more intriguing, yet slightly far-fetched parallel:

Stoick and the Valka were married to begin with, then her dragon sense called her away. Later, even though she had fully devoted her life to the dragons (which Stoic realized) he still proposed to her again and they continued their marriage as before, even though a lot had changed. Hmm…. Im thinking Mary, Joseph, betrothal…..Alright, admittedly it’s a bit obscure, but regardless of any allegorical similarities, Stoick’s behaviors do contain many of the virtues displayed by St Joseph.

But alas, even with this peaceful parallel to the Holy Family, the film writers couldn’t just leave it with a perfect resolution. No, they had to stretch the limits of Stoick’s character and make a statement about what true heroic masculinity can look like. (Here’s the part of the film where the guy in the back starts sniffling and referencing how he has something in his eye.)

Of course you all know what scene I’m about to reference- the final battle scene where Stoic literally lays down his life for his family and irrefutably demonstrates his role as protector. It’s clear to see that in this instance that Stoick is being the Christ-like figure in the film.

But what about Toothless? Here is my second tangential rant.

Toothless and St Peter

Throughout the first and second movie, it was (a viking) Hiccup’s relationship with Toothless (a dragon) that caused tension between him and his father. Now, when Stoick leaps in front of Toothless’ nightfurry blast to save Hiccup, it is Toothless who heals this very same relationship. What was once the force that drove them apart is now the very same force that solidifies their healed relationship as father and son. (Albeit, it is also this force that physically drives them apart since it results in Stoick's death, but from a relational and spiritual perspective, it solves their communication problem.)

And now, if you’re feeling particularly exploratory, bear with me as I compare Toothless to the First Pope. In a way, when Toothless is lured by the evil Bewilderbeast and turns his back on Hiccup and Stoick, it is reminiscent of Peter’s betrayal when he denies Christ 3 times. In addition, at the end of the film, Toothless is in a place of prominence and leadership in the new cooperative viking/dragon society even though he was the one who ‘betrayed’ Stoick and played a key role in his death. Also, small notable detail, Toothless cuts off one of the Bewilderbeast's horns (hmm… high priest’s ear?)

“A chief protects his own”

At Stoick’s funeral, we experience a moving scene that truly portrays Stoic as Christ-like. Stoick’s mantra has always been “a chief protects his own” but in this scene we see the fuller realization of what that truly means:

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd giveth his life for his sheep... I am the good shepherd; and I know mine, and mine know me.... My sheep hear my voice: and I know them, and they follow me. And I give them life everlasting; and they shall not perish for ever, and no man shall pluck them out of my hand. That which my Father hath given me, is greater than all: and no one can snatch them out of the hand of my Father. (John 10:11-30)

In the funeral scene, we realize Stoick’s real intentions were always to protect his tribe in a way that meaningfully parallels the passage from scripture about the Good Shepherd.

Gobber and Spiritual Fatherhood

Besides portraying Stoick’s physical fatherhood in a very real and positive light, this film also touches upon the concept of spiritual fatherhood through the character of Gobber. Gobber is always there for Hiccup throughout both the first and second film. Especially when his relationship with his own father is at its worst, Hiccup is able to rely upon Gobber for fatherly support and advice. In one scene of the film, (that has many Christian reviewers flipping out) Gobber lets slip “This is why I never married… well, this, and one other thing”. Rather than cringing at the inclusion of a gay character we could instead be praising that this inclusion was done in such a way that is subtle, non-offensive, and even adds to the positive themes and lessons of the movie. Despite the fact the Gobber is gay and unmarried, his character is still able to display true masculinity by exercising spiritual fatherhood. By including such an unexpected character, How to Train your Dragon II is counteracting the crisis of masculinity that seems to be plaguing our media by answering the need for both physical and spiritual fatherhood in such a way that counteracts narrow minded stereotypes and recognizes the universal call of all men to authentic masculinity.

The Bottom Line:

In a world that tends to belittle the importance of fatherhood and authentic masculinity, How to Train your Dragon II is a refreshing change. Despite being "only a childrens' movies", it does a wonderful job of enforcing the value of the traditional family unit, as well as the vital roles of both physical and spiritual fatherhood in a healthy society. In addition, it also touches upon the vast array of ways that authentic masculinity can be lived out while keeping in mind each individual's unique identity. From St Joseph, to St Peter, to Christ himself, the Church offers an abundance of positive male role models, but sometimes we can find it difficult to relate to them. That’s where the evangelizing ability of film steps in- It enables us to see these virtues in a new and exciting light which reawakens our imagination towards the good and inspires us once again towards sainthood. With the constant battle between good and evil waging on in our society, it is exactly this type of reawakening of imagination that can inspire the boys of our world to strive towards the authentic masculinity that we all so desperately need.

"The future of society passes by way of the family"
-St Pope John Paul II