How does Cormier present ideas about heroes in his novel Essay Example

The residents of Frenchtown continue to see a hero in Larry because not only do they want someone to look up too they don’t so far have a reason to question Larry’s “heroic” status.

When war was announced the feeling across the town was “patriotic fever mixed with rage”. The Frenchtown residents spread it throughout not only there town but the whole USA. Cormier used the word fever to show how quickly it spread, dangerously and contagiously. The expression “ran rampant through the streets of Frenchtown” shows us how the town was looking in a whole, gathering in the streets and roads to share their disgust and outrage that the Japanese had attacked their beloved country. The determination and their willingness o fight shows how the begging of a war can affect such a small town.

Another way in which Cormier presents heroism is throughout Larry’s arrival back to Frenchtown. Cormier describes Larry in Chapter Eleven as “Lt. Lawrence LaSalle, US Marine Corps”; his name and full title show how important he is. Adding more heroism, Larry LaSalle is the owner of a “silver star” – an award only given to a select few who have performed true acts of heroism. His arrival back is described in detail on the “radio broadcasts”; “on the 3:10pm train from Boston on 3rd July 1943” making Larry seems like a VIP. Adding even more atmosphere to Larry’s arrival where his fans waiting to welcome him home.

Car horns blew” showing peoples admiration for him. Children from the Wreck Centre, brothers, family, even the mayor of Frenchtown was waiting. Not only was the mayor’s eagerness to

welcome Larry home, empathising his heroic status. But also when the narrator describes Larry as the “pied piper for their children in the bleakness of the depression”. Larry is seen as heroic when he brightness children’s spirits in a horrific time of Americas history. Similar to Larry the pied piper had the abilities to gain trust from people, and trick people into thinking that he is the best influence there has been.

Larry was a very masculine man like the pied piper and also liked to gain admiration and successes. Larry’s heroic status when he arrives back in Frenchtown is reiterated. He stood “resplendent” whilst wearing “ribbons and medals on his chest”. The physical description of Larry reveals even more of a hero; he still had the “touch of Fred Astaire about him”. His features sharper”; “knife like”, sugest he has changed throughout the war. Many people found it hard to think of Larry as a “fighting marine” that was “pumping bullets into the enemy” with his “rifle in hand”.

However they could now. His body had certain slenderness and his cheek bones looked “lethal”. He even had a movie star smile that would make the birds sing. Larry shows his importance to the public when they start “crowding him” they all loved Larry because he was hope in a horrible time, and he was in there eyes trust worthy and reliable; The publics love and respect for Larry is indicated when joey lablanc and others call out “my hero from the war” and “your presence is great in this city of ours”. You are our celebration” said the mayor this adds intensity

to Larry’s heroic status. In chapter eleven Larry’s reputation as a hero is torn apart and his true character is shown. Cormier did this by changing the personality of Larry into a very UN heroic person. Larry went from being a true gentlemen (a hero)”sweeping” Nicole around the dance floor, until “A rustle of clothing” and a “moan” from Nicole demolished his reputation. This chapter is very important because we see what a true hero is and how someone can penetrate and deceive our minds.

Cormier suggests that Larry has raped nacelle “her white blouse torn” and “swollen lips”, even the sups pence of the moment adds to my assumption. The language affects our thoughts of what actually occurred, they are strong words and make us think terrible things have happened. Francis is shown to be heroic because, despite being in the war and handling guns Francis when he is on the way to kill Larry describes the gun as “a tumour on my thigh” it’s like the narrators saying the gun isn’t compatible with him, it shouldn’t be there.

This could be suggesting that Francis is a hero despite him jumping on the grenade to end his life”. Larry is shown to have lost his heroic appetence towards the end of the book. He wasn’t the same “movie star” as he was before he fought in the war. As Francis approached Larry’s house noticed Larry wasn’t a hero he once looked up too. “I’m worn out suggests that he has aged quite considerably or something has happened to him whilst he was fighting. Larry “shrugs” suggesting old age has spread over him.