Hero Essays
J. D. Salinger’s 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 “phony” 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 book’s 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. Holden’s 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 “fake” in real life “phonies.” 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, “What I really felt like doing was committing suicide. I felt like jumping out the window.” 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. “It’s 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,” 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.
AP Lit & Comp Mr. Scheel Jim Casy: A leader in Death The definition of leader a person who leads or commands a group, organization, or country. The verb to lead can mean to set a process in motion. I think that both of these definitions can be seen in Jim Casy. As a main […]
Epic Heroes: From the Past and Today In modern society, we have many individuals who are considered heroes. These people are not ordinary, and to honor them, we dedicate a national holiday annually. Our present-day heroes share similarities with the epic heroes portrayed in ancient epic poetry, while also possessing their own distinctive qualities. In […]
Allow me to start with the definition of what is called a myth and what is called a hero. There is not one and a unique definition of the word myth but there are many. As a matter of fact, we have to distinguish between ancient mythology and today’s mythology. Ancient mythology consists of folklore […]
On the contrary, nobility, an error in Judgment r a flaw, realization of that flaw, and communal pity are all traits of a tragic hero. Therefore, John Proctor in Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, George Milton from the novel, Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, and Mel Gibson all fit the role of tragic heroes […]
Justine Dissecting Heroism There lies a world, where the majestic seas are complemented by roaring waves, where the pitfalls of temptations lure people to their graves, where the gods from Olympus holds the fate and life of the people. And here lies a hero, battling through hardships and blood shed, trying to make an indelible […]
A hero is someone who is admired for their brave actions, the courage they show, and is a leader. In J. R. R. Toolkit’s novel, The Hobbit, it shows a young hobbit who discovers the ups and downs to an adventure. From goblins, to elves, to spiders, to many other creatures. Bilbo Bagging went through […]
Who is the Hero in Paradise Lost? In John Million’s epic, Paradise Lost, Milton retells the story of Genesis and the fall of man. One might think that because of the Bible, the hero would most likely be God or Jesus, but there are other possibilities in this story. A basic description of a hero […]
Alice as an Archetypal Hero BY pencil Hannah A. Mercado IV Naira Literature Alice in Wonderland is a renown classic written by Lewis Carroll from 1865. While on a boat party, Lewis told tales to three children for entertainment. One of the children, Alice, was enamored by the story and requested that he write it […]
The book “Son of Neptune” is book 2 of the series Heroes of Olympus. This book is fictional book based of Greek mythology and is written by Rick Ordain. The tense of this book is third person but is special as the point of view from each character is changed per chapter. Son of Neptune […]
The difference between a regular hero and an epic hero can be found in the adventures and actions they take on their journey back home. In Fagle’s translation of Homer’s The Odyssey, Odysseus (also referred to as Ulysses in Claybourne’s The Adventures of Ulysses) exemplifies the traits of an epic hero. He distinguishes himself from […]
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Sir Gawain versus Beowulf A true hero is one who is willing to sacrifice his own existence for the life of another. Two characters portrayed as heroes are Sir Gawain, a character from the tale Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, and Beowulf, another character from an ancient British […]
It is time for me to see more of the world. I shall go to Sparta as Aphrodite directs. ” (213). Paris is stating that no matter what Oenone says he has made up his mind to leave her and go to Sparta. The true meaning of loyalty would be Paris staying in Mount Ida […]
In “Beowulf”, the hero of the epic poem symbolizes the esteemed principles of behavior treasured by the culture in which the poem was created. Beowulf, as the epic hero, exemplified these virtues. Three of Beowulf’s virtues included being true to his word, making his father proud, and displaying bravery. Beowulf demonstrated his truthfulness when he […]
The Hero’s journey comprises a set of observations and patterns that involves a hero and an adventurous journey, where through numerous stages, the Hero returns home victorious and transformed. The Hero’s journey typically begins with the Ordinary World, and after various stages, concludes with restoring the world. Almost every hero in any book or movie […]
In the realm of poetry, different cultural perspectives exhibit different ways of evaluating their heroes based on their character and the impact they had on the society. For instance, heroes portraying the god-like character, go off and achieve great things in life, while dealing with divinity and mortal beings alike. Regarding this, Homer’s The Odyssey […]
Today’s heroes who live by virtue through demonstrating generosity, love and bravery deserve an epic poem. Beowulf lived in a world where fame was the only lasting thing and pride to the point of arrogance was acceptable. Cultures have transformed over the years, but the values have remained ever since. Beowulf’s approach towards life’s contemporary […]
The term “hero” frequently triggers the secretion of dopamine hormone as a result of admiration, excitement, and affiliation. When you ask middle-aged children about their heroes, you will hear names like Spider-Man, Wolverine, Iron Man, and Captain America. We also have real-life heroes, ranging from firefighters to historical figures such as Abraham Lincoln. The basic […]
I have decided to look ahead to a productive future that is going to benefit society. Depression, self-pity, disillusionment over the past are all behind me. My mother might have deserted me at the age of five , my uncle might have chosen to exploit me of my finances, my struggles in the home front […]
When answering this question there are 3 main factors to consider: Stalin’s strengths, Trotsky’s weaknesses, and wildcard factors (luck or chance). Trotsky inadvertently plotted his own downfall, he was simply unequipped for politics and the power struggle, and his place was on the battlefield in a military uniform. Trotsky was an amazing orator but had […]
The decisions that one man makes can determine the length of life. Rome has many people that have the characteristics to be great leaders. Antony is a manipulative man, Brutus is an honorable man, and Octavius is a quiet strength. All three men would do an excellent job in leading Rome. Antony is a manipulative […]
Introduction Vision on the other hand is “a picture formed in the mind; something conjured up in the imagination without being related to facts. ” Leadership in some people is in-born, some learn the art of leadership, while others just cannot lead no matter what advantage of leadership comes their way.There are those who are […]
Leadership quality assessment is a significant challenge due to the conventional social stereotypes that require a leader to possess masculine traits, such as success, competitiveness, aggressiveness, and a strong mind. The current dynamic environment requires exceptional leadership and management skills, making it essential to select competent leaders. This has drawn the attention of social scientists […]
