A Portrait of Heroism

      Not only is A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man a long title, it is a lot to ponder. Never have I been so confused, intrigued, fascinated and frustrated with a book before. I am especially frustrated with my Big Question because how does it relate to Portrait?
      Perhaps Joyce is heroic in his speech and thought that is both bold and dramatic. To me it doesn't seem that dramatic, but to the characters it's world-shaking.
      Maybe being bold is one of the key characteristics every hero must posses. Bold enough to stand in the face of adversary, bold enough to know when to take a life or give it. When to speak, and when to stay silent. Bold people are the catalysts for change. They are not afraid of what is necessarily "right" or "moral" or "true" and are not boxed in by opinions. Seeing how Portrait was received when it was first released speaks volumes of its heroic abilities. It showed that people needed to be rescued from their rigid thinking. Though the youth received the book very well because they could relate to Stephen's struggles with self-worth, guilt, and the idea of beauty, adults did not look upon the book with such admiration. He was highly criticized for his unconventional writing style that lacks restraint and form. It was a bold move for Joyce to move away from traditional writing and create a masterpiece purely from the heart. Autobiographical novels that probe the heart and bring incredible realism to every young man and woman's struggle.
      The true heroism of Portrait does not lie in the plot or the characters, but the mere fact it was written. Such a step was necessary to society because it opened doors for future literary works such as Beloved, and revealed an entirely new medium of literature.

Beloved

     I'll be honest, I really can't stand Beloved. The book seemed to lack meaning; literal meaning, metaphorical meaning. Until the last few pages I couldn't understand what the book was about if it wasn't about slavery. If it wasn't about slavery it seemed a worthless narrative that really doesn't deserve any of the literary merits it has received.
But then there were these words...

... worse than that - far worse - was what Baby Suggs died of, what Ella knew, what Stamp saw and what made Paul D tremble. That anybody white could take your whole self for anything that came to mind. Not just work, kill, or maim you, but dirty you. Dirty you so bad you couldn't like yourself anymore. Dirty you so bad you forgot who you were and couldn't think it up.

(Morrison, 295)

     BANG. 
     Realization and clarity exploded in my mind. The story wasn't written as a cry against slavery but humanity. Humanities view or sin and humanities value (or lack of value) on human life.
For much of the book the reader is set against Sethe. She is not liked, she is not loved, and she is most certainly not viewed as a hero. But, what makes the crimes Sethe committed against her daughter worse than the lynchings Schoolteacher dealt out? The rapes white men performed on black women because, god forbid, they be attracted to a black woman? Is it really worse than the complete alienation of an entire race?
     Where Sethe came from there was no punishment for a white man murdering a black man. Yet Sethe's murdering Beloved was considered heinous, unforgivable, the worst form of violence existent on Earth.
     Perhaps the books message was to say that we label certain things incorrectly. Murderers are worse than thieves. Embezzlers are better than kidnappers. White men are more justified in there crimes then black men. Every sin has a weight placed upon it by opinions. But then, why is Batman crowned a hero if he was a murderer first?
     I don't think that any of these crimes are good, and I still don't care for Sethe, but I do agree with her thoughts. No one should have the ability to make another inferior. No one should have the ability to judge another's vices as immoral when they themselves have also messed up. No one should have the ability to demoralize and ostracize an entire race. What makes Sethe's crime so much worse than those depicted in the book's many flashbacks?
     Is it worse?

L'Étranger

     I'll just be honest, the more that I read, the more I dislike my big question. Most of the literature we pick up doesn't  seem to posses heroes... heroic figures are few and far between. Even Katniss, in our beloved Hunger Games series isn't that heroic. But I think that getting hung up on finding specific heroes in books or movies or society in general is a mistake easily made.
     My point; it's very difficult to be a hero, to have every fiber of your being devoted to a certain cause so much so that your life is lain on the line daily. As a whole person, Meursault is not a hero. But I do think he has a redeeming, heroic attribute: his honesty.
     How many people do you know who would tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth every day of his or her life? I don't know any. The most incredible thing about Meursault's honesty is that he remains honest even when the lie tastes sweeter.
      I probably did love Maman, he says, but that didn't mean anything. At one time or another all normal people have wished their loved ones were dead. (Camus, 65). When dealing with death people often feel obligated to lie about their feelings, or to lie about how they saw the person when they were living. No one in their right mind would stand up at a funeral and say, "well, she was alright, but she had quite the temper." or "I think he was a good person, but I don't really miss him now that he's gone. I'm hungry, let's eat." Meursault's honesty pierces the heart and almost offends the reader. Though he continues by saying; what I can say for certain is that I would rather Maman hadn't died (65), his lawyer is not satisfied. His brutal honesty is offensive. It's sharp and bold and uncommon, but the reader expects something to escape Meursault's lips; a bit of remorse, an ounce of sorrow at her passing, but still they get nothing. And I think that's fine. Perhaps true heroes say what must be said, what should not be sugar-coated, and what hurts because people choose not to recognize truth unless it is thrust upon them.
     After Meursault's trial and conviction he goes on to talk about death and how it looms above all of us. It's interesting that he's bold enough to talk about death. Death is a scary thing, but like they say, "there are two promises in life, death, and taxes". It's true, but it's a truth that is easily ignored or swept under a rug until, as said before, it is thrust upon us. Meursault says, Since we're all going to die, it's obvious that when and how doesn't matter (Camus 114).
     It can be hard to confront truths. Truths about ourselves and our flaws, truths about others we wish not to see, and truths about the world we living in, and life in general. Meursault, though condemned, turns out to be a heroic character in the sense that he has the guts to say what needs to be said. He is honest, and remains true through circumstances stacked up against him where the lie is better than the truth.
     I suppose that even leaves me with the question: why is it so difficult to be honest and maintain heroic qualities in and of ourselves? Why do so few accomplish this on a greater level?

Invisible Man

While reading Invisible Man I was full of questions... why did this happen? Does that have significance? Are things going to get better?
Unfortunately, with the turning of the last page, most of my questions weren't answered. And now I have one more question to add to that pile: what does Invisible Man have to do with heroes?
It's odd, for a while I searched for an answer. I believed there had to be some sort of hero in the book, that heroes are always present, but I find that I was very wrong. The saddest thing about Invisible Man is that there are no heroes. Not one. Everyone's, well, ordinary. And the more I think about it the more I realize that there aren't many heroic acts in the novel either. Almost all the characters are in it for themselves or at the mercy of the other characters.
Which begs the question: are there really no heroes? 
Maybe it's just my stubbornness, but I refuse to believe that. I don't care that Invisible Man is hailed as one of the best works of fiction this world has ever seen and that Ellison wrote one of the greatest novels in history: he was wrong. It doesn't matter if you're flawed or a minority or even selfish, anyone, everyone, has the potential to be a hero. Even the invisible man with his skills, his powerful speeches, and his heart, doesn't loses his potential to be a hero because of his narrow-minded view of the world. He fails to see the big picture and doesn't care if he can or not.
As I type this I realize that I have poorly said everything I want to say, but I don't know how to say it. The frustration, the irritation, the disappointment... I had hoped for more from Invisible Man; some great truth, some divine enlightenment, a moral for goodness sake, but I just came away with questions. So many questions.

be ye a hero?

According to the dictionary, a hero is "a person who is admired for courage or noble qualities".
Interesting, how the literal definition of a hero has nothing to do with out typical idea of what a hero is. Don't heroes wear spandex? Don't they fight crime late at night under a pseudonym?
Following the "modern" definition of a hero, there are no heroes in Henry IV, Part I. The only mention of late night crime is from the people committing the crimes. That is not exactly heroic, if you ask me.
But then, looking at the literal definition of a hero I think Henry IV, Part I has more heroes than one might think.
Hal, for instance, is quite heroic. He's an underdog; a man born into nobility who doesn't quite get credit as a prince. But as the play progresses Hal gives up his old ways, his childish antics, and his immaturity. He steps into the noble position he was born into, but doesn't simply see nobility as a label, or a crown upon his head, but as a personality trait; a way of life. Hal also carries out his promises to "falsify men's hopes" and "redeeming time when men think least I will" (1.2.218, 224).
Oddy enough, Hal's heroism reminds me of Batman's. Bruce Wayne was a rebellious kid. So was Hal. Bruce was angry at the world, and Alfred and Lucius Fox worried for him and his future, until he changed. He became somebody worthy, somebody heroic. Hal was squashed by people's opinions of him, and even the King didn't think he would amount to much, until he changed. He became a Prince, and not just any Prince, but a Prince worthy of becoming a King.
Yes, maybe Batman's heroism involves a cape and black tights, but Bruce Wayne is just a misunderstood young man who has the ability to be great. 
Heroism is more than just being a swashbuckling rogue, or a gentlemen who looks really good in a pair of tights. It's about having a noble character, and defying beliefs, breaking molds, and raising standards.
That's why we call people who jump in front of guns during theater shooting heroes, and people who run into burning buildings to save lives heroes. That's why we call people like Rosa Parks heroes: because they break molds, raise standards and portraying a character of excellence.

the most unlikely hero

The words "tragic hero" accurately describe Oedipus. In fact, I can't think of a better word to describe his life than "tragic". Let's just be honest: Oedipus' life stinks (not stinks as in smells, stinks as in is terrible). When the oracle tells Oedipus he's doomed to kill his father and marry his mother, he runs away from Corinth to protect his father and mother because he loves them. Little does he know, the king and queen of Corinth aren't really his parents, and instead of running from his terrible fate, he's running to it.
When he's on the road, he kills his real father, King Laos, because he forces Oedipus rudely off the road.
When Oedipus arrives in Thebes he breaks the curse the sphinx had on the kingdom and brings Oedipus one step closer to his horrible fate. Then he unknowingly marries his mother. Then Thebes is plunged into a horrible season of famine and it's all because of Oedipus.

As far as we know, every action Oedipus made was with the best intentions. Oedipus wants what is best for his life and his people. When he hears that King Laos' murderer is the cause of Thebes' misfortunes, he vows to avenge the late king. When he hears he could be the murderer, he is hurt and angry, but still wants to keep his word.

Oedipus loves his people and justice, just as a hero ought to. He wants to do what is best for himself and for everyone. He left Corinth to protect his "parents" and solved the Sphinx's riddle to help the people of Thebes. In everything he has good intentions, but he is bound to an unfortunate fate; a tragic fate.
Oedipus Rex is a tragic play of a tragic hero because Oedipus exhibits many heroic qualities, but they lead to his demise. He doesn't get a chance to actually be heroic. It is tragic because, no matter what, Oedipus gives of himself when he cannot fix the darkness and disappointment swirling around him.

I feel sorry for him. He cares so much, and really does long for justice and freedom, but can only attain it at the cost of his life. It's tragic that someone with such heroic potential has no option but to die.

the big q.

For the past few days I’ve been thinking about what a hero’s role in every culture could be. Perhaps it’s to defend the weak, innocent, and defenseless. Or maybe it’s to create a person that everyone can look up to, and strive to be like. Maybe it’s just for entertainment. Or maybe heroes are far more important than any of those reasons. 

I’m reminded of the night, just a few months ago where I watched one of my favorite heroes impress me once again. After a three hour wait the theater lights finally dim. I pull my knees up to my chest and stare at the screen. I feel a small tingle in my body that adds to the excitement laced in the air around the anticipating crowd. My breath catches in my throat as soon as Batman makes his appearance. He rolls onto a highway on his cool motorcycle with high-tech gear, and the audience cheers. 

But we’re not really cheering for Batman's return (though that’s cool) or his really fancy weapons (which are equally as cool); we’re cheering for something else; his heroic return, his fearless heart or, more importantly, his relentless spirit. I’m not simply cheering for the man in the suit, but the man behind the mask; the man who watched his parent’s murder and refused to believe it was the end of the world. I’m cheering for the man who lost his one true love, the man with a heart unwilling to kill even the most evil of villains. I’m cheering for the billionaire who promises to be a guilty cities’ guardian, who vows to protect even the people who hate him most. 

I think that’s why we like heroes like Batman, Spiderman, or Captain America: because they love. They love justice. They love freedom. They love the value of the lives they swear to protect, the thousands of lives they don’t even know. Heroes love like very few people in this world anymore. In fact, their love is almost unconditional. That sort of love is lacking in every culture. And everyone needs love, so every wants heroes. And their heroes don’t necessarily have to be the kind with big muscles and stretchy spandex suits, they can be anyone. They can be grocers, carpenters, bus drivers, teenagers, ex-marines, moms, dads, fictional characters, anyone. 

When I was little my dad would sit in the hallway and read The Chronicles of Narnia to us. My siblings and I would curl up in our beds and be lulled to sleep by his magical voice and the incredible spirits of children who risked everything to save Narnia. When I was thirteen I fell in love with the Maximum Ride novels and Max's witty humor, relentless spirit, and endless dedication to save the world. In tenth grade I watched Saving Private Ryan and cried because the soldiers in Captain Millar's platoon are all greater heroes than fiction can create. They're not necessarily typical heroes, but they all sacrifice themselves for Private Ryan, a man whom many of them don't think deserves to be saved, yet they don't argue. They just give the greatest sacrifice they can.

For me, heroes have always been ordinary people with extraordinary love.Occasionally they have superpowers, billions of dollars, wings, and drool-worthy batmobiles, but more often than not, they are simply ordinary people. Ordinary people that help me be less ordinary and more loving... more heroic.