Hero Essays
J. D. Salingerâs The Catcher in the Rye illustrates the story of an adolescent going through a period of perception-changing times in his life. The story is told from the point of view of the main character and protagonist, Holden Caulfield, a junior in high school. Throughout the novel, Holden is going through a phase in which he realizes the âphonyâ nature of the people in the world. Overall, the story encompasses themes such as loss and confusion ultimately resolved with advice for finding oneself. Clearly, many young adults undergoing a paradigm shift or a maturing from adolescence can relate the bookâs protagonist on a personal or even spiritual level. Because of his relatable journey, I view Holden Caulfield as a hero, not in the archetypal sense, but as a champion for those struggling to find a sense of direction in their lives. Holdenâs entire character has not been fully established yet as he is still immature and has no definite plans for his future. He had been kicked out of three schools for not applying himself, and he calls people who act âfakeâ in real life âphonies.â However, what makes Holden Caulfield such an important character is that he is going through what many have experienced or are experiencing: the transition from childhood to manhood.
On the contrary, Holden seems to resist this transition as he was never serious about his schools. In fact, he came to the point where he thought of ending his life in chapter 14. He writes, âWhat I really felt like doing was committing suicide. I felt like jumping out the window.â Of course, many teenagers have had the same feeling, although I am an exception to this. In chapter 17, he explains to Sally everything he resented about school. âItâs full of phonies, and all you do is study so that you can learn enough to be smart enough to buy a goddam Cadillac some day,â he continues. Eventually, he came up with the idea of running away with Sally up north. With this, Holden shows he has never given thought to his actual future and what he plans to be. At this part of the plot, I did not really identify myself with the character of Holden Caulfield anymore.
I on the other hand do plan on attending college for medicine. Holden in chapter 17 embodied the rebellious nature of some teenagers who, much like the protagonist, choose to run away from his/her problems.The symbolism J. D. Salinger inserts into the story can provide more to the theme. There is a recurring thought that Holden has concerning the ducks inhabiting the lagoon in Central Park in New York City and where they go when the lake freezes up. Holden brings up this train of thought in various locations. The first was in his meeting with Mr. Spencer and again on two different cab rides. The symbolism behind this is that the ducks represent himself and his refusal to adapt to a changing environment. It puzzled him how the ducks would have to move and where. This is where I can relate to Holden. Growing up and moving on is difficult, but it is necessary for life. Holden Caulfield is a hero through what he has endured and who he can emulate. I myself do not relate to him as I have already been through what he has gone through, at a lesser degree, of course, but he can be seen, by some, as an example for a refusal to adapt. He is not a hero that is perfect or super strong, but he is a hero that inspires and relates himself to the common adolescent.
A hero is defined as someone who acts out for others. The dictionary describes a hero as a person noted or admired for courage or outstanding achievements. A hero is typically seen as a non fictional character who protects the vulnerable with super natural powers and courage and can do no wrong . There are […]
In this essay, the way DreamWorks represents RJ as a stereotypical hero will be explored. The meaning of the word hero will be explained, further backed up by how RJ is shown as the principal character , and testified by camera angles, sound use and effects, signs and signifiers, and generally how the film ‘Over […]
The movie Hero delves into the question of what makes a hero and whether being on the side of the law or winning through enemy deaths is necessary. It takes the audience on a journey of self-discovery while investigating the essence of heroism. Despite being categorized as a “slash-and-gash” martial arts/wuxia film, Hero veers from […]
Written in 1847 by Charlotte Bronte, the novel ‘Jane Eyre’ explores Jane’s personality and experiences with her family. The story starts with Jane living at Gateshead Hall with her aunt and uncle after becoming a dependent due to her parents’ death. Charlotte Bronte expertly employs writing techniques to detail how Jane is wrongly accused of […]
Love, hatred, and lies are prevalent emotions in Romeo and Juliet, The Hero, and The Soldier. This analysis explores the presentation of emotions by writers and their relation to the context of their works. Love, a commonly portrayed negative emotion in texts, is depicted as causing pain and negative feelings among characters by the writers […]
Raina and Bluntschli are both the heroes of ‘Arms and the Man’ due that the play starts and develops around them. However, a definition of a ‘hero’ must first be identified and in this case a ‘hero’ is “someone who inspires through manners and actions; an individual who leads through personal example and accomplishments requiring […]
Cromwell is one of the most contentious figures in British History. I think that he was both a hero and a villain. At times he acted very heroic and selfless but he had to take cruel and drastic measures which forced people to believe that he was a villain. But at other times he acted […]
Mythological heroes are not always seen in modern times, but Edmond Dantes can be considered one. Dantes was first shown to the reader as a naive, slender, young man, who his whole manner gave evidence to his calmness and his liability. As he is freed from prison he returns as a new man, who acquires […]
The dominance of Keith’s personality in the first four chapters is easily noticeable and acceptable. Stephen establishes Keith as both a hero and a representation of the perfect family. Additionally, Keith’s active imagination allows him to create various different worlds. To analyze Keith’s portrayal in the first four chapters, I have divided the text into […]
Upon reviewing our movie, certain implications could be inferred from it. From the opening scene, it is evident that our film was made on a low budget. The quality of the shot is noticeably different, as high budget productions utilize advanced camera technology resulting in clearer and sharper visuals. Additionally, lighting plays a crucial role […]
1981 saw the release of ‘Raiders of the Lost Arc,’ a rapid-fire, thrilling action/adventure film that became a hugely successful summer blockbuster! The epic was produced by George Lucas and helmed by Steven Spielberg. While the viewers adored it, the critics found it cliche, featuring a tough-looking protagonist and the rescue of a stunning damsel. […]
The act of assigning a genre to films, books, or plays implies a predetermined formula for their content and narrative structure, ultimately aiming for success. Genres offer an initial indication of the story’s essence through its first image, graphic, or letter on screen. This essay will compare the opening sequences of two fantasy adventure movies […]
Throughout ‘Hero and Leander’, Marlowe presents an ambivalent attitude towards gender, where the boundaries normally found in male and female stereotypes are explored and often ridiculed. Traditional perspectives of gender become subverted and Marlowe seems to delight in overturning the expectations of the reader and creating confusion. From the outset, the poem introduces the reader […]
There are heroes in different time period throughout the history. People hope to be protected by heroes especially when the society is unstable and battles occur. There are legends about heroes in the Greek and the Medieval age. In the Iliad which was written by Homer, there were poetries that about the Greek heroesin the […]
The texts “Fun Home” by Alison Bechdel and “The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne both feature powerful female protagonists who challenge the patriarchal norms of their respective settings. In Bechdel’s memoir and Hawthorne’s novella, these women exhibit emotional strength and defy the stereotype of the ‘weaker sex,’ making them literary heroes. “The Scarlet Letter” is […]
Rochester is clearly an unusual love Interest for a romantic novel. He has an abrupt, selfish and arrogant nature, and Is far from handsome. Mr. Rochester Is stern, rude, and demanding and has a dark and somewhat mysterious personality. However, with the gothic atmosphere of Jane Rye, it seems almost suiting for the hero to […]
John Proctor: A Hero or a Fool? In Arthur Millerâs celebrated allegorical drama The Crucible. the chief characterJohn Proctor. a immature defiant yet respected husbandman. shows heroic characteristicsthrough intricate state of affairss of theocratic unfairness. Set in craze and pandemonium. the enchantress tests of Salem small town as the tests unfold Proctor finds himself in […]
Paul Varley’s book, “Warriors of Japan as Portrayed in the War Tales,” examines various war narratives from different periods of Japanese history, including the rise of the samurai culture. These tales, like the Shomonki and Taiheiki, depict changes in battleground customs and warrior society as they evolve over time. Despite the societal changes, the warriors […]
The gender dynamics in horror movies, which assign specific roles to different genders, reflect societal gender roles. It is clear to even casual viewers that male characters typically fill the roles of heroes and villains, while female characters are predominantly victims. This formulaic approach efficiently produces horror films. However, there are exceptional films that challenge […]
The work Odyssey has ever been highly interesting to me. I have seen many films based on the narrative and have been fascinated with the struggles between worlds and Gods. In my essay I discuss the struggle between Ulysses and Neptune. by indicating out the latter is Ulysses chief adversary. I love the fact that […]
The Chocolate War Essay In my university course on young adult literature, The Chocolate War consistently generates more controversy among my students than any of the other twelve novels I assign. The issues raised are always the same: the language, sexual references, and violence. Above all, the students take issue with the dismal conclusion. Many […]
Many films are based on ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances. Society is deeply invested in their lives and going to a dark theater for an hour or two provides them with the closest experience to adventure or excitement. For most individuals, on-screen relationships are enough to satisfy their desires because they long for an escape […]
