In the novel, Tracker, how does Paulsen describe what it means to be a man?

"Real men" are typically seen as being tough guys who show little emotion. Gary Paulsen's characters in Tracker, however, prove that a real man can be gentle, as well as strong.

Grandpa is an excellent example of the way in which a real men can be gentle. After learning that John spared the doe's life, he doesn't shame him for not killing the deer.... he acknowledges that John is now a man because he now understands life, death, and nature. Grandpa knows that a real man is not afraid to be gentle.... that gentleness takes nothing away from manhood. Grandpa further demonstrates this when he allows John to see him cry after John returns home from the hunt. Grandpa is proud of John. It seems that at that particular moment, Grandpa confronts death head on. He does not try to hold back the tears.