Men of Iron

Myles Falworth encompasses the ideals of a perfect knight and gentleman. Men of Iron was written during a period in English and American culture wherein young men were encouraged to demonstrate the traits of chivalrous knights, who had become widely admired in the decades before the novel’s publication. The novel is intended to enthrall and educate; the trials that Myles endures provide young male readers with an example of how they might navigate the complexities associated with coming of age and finding their place in the world. In crafting Myles’s origins, Howard Pyle places him in isolation, where he is exposed to little conflict, but wherein he is educated by monks—considered the ultimate moral compass—giving him a strong sense of self. This creates a purity of heart that he carries with him to Devlen Castle.

These traits give Myles the courage to stand up to the bachelors, advocate for himself even in disagreements with superiors, and defend his father and his own decisions even when he is forced to stand alone in so doing. American culture in particular, during the Victorian and subsequent Edwardian Period, emphasized the virtues of individuality, self-respect, and ambition, and Myles emulates these values as he develops strong bonds with his peers, pursues his opportunity to achieve knighthood with tenacity, and demands respect and accountability from those who hold power and sway over his fate.