AP English

The title of “Hero” can be defined in many ways. I believe that each person has his/her own views and expectations of what a hero should be and do. Society and the media sometimes give the wrong definition of heroes by displaying super models, singers, actors, and government officials in magazines or on t.v. and giving them the title of “Hero.” Much of the time, these people have not performed any act of heroism to deserve the honorable name.

I don’t think that the main character is being heroic at all. He turns around and runs away from the fighting. By running he is outwardly showing that he is only thinking of himself instead of thinking about what and who they are fighting for. We readers learn this also from reading his thoughts. We actually read that he thinks that the rest of the men are stupid and foolish because they don’t run away and save themselves.(pg 45) “There was the law, he said…He did not stand solidly baring his furry belly to the missile, and die with an upward glance at the sympathetic heavens. ”

Other literary works and experiences that have shaped my views of what constitutes as heroic are everyday examples of people who give everything for others. I believe that heroes are selfless and are willing to drop whatever they’re doing and to do whatever it takes to save or do certain acts for another person. Heroes don’t think about themselves…only others. Firemen, policemen, doctors, mothers,…etc are all heroes because they live their life everyday just to serve everyone else in society and the world.

The author is successful at reaching his goal of attacking the traditional heroic role because he shows how not everyone is cut out to sacrifice themselves for others. He shows how some people are cowards. Instead of making a fairytale with a brave person, he depicts what sometimes happens in real life.

…sorry this is late…my internet did not work all weekend….

The reasoning behind Realism and Naturalism is that many people try to cover up, hide, and ignore the real issues that are occurring in the world and society. Realists and Naturalists write, paint, or sing about the problems and flaws that are being covered up by Romanticists. They are similar to the “muckrakers” of the 1800s. The reason why these works of art are so effective and popular is because it causes the reader to relate to the characters in it. It also may remind the reader that they aren’t the only one(s) going through a hardship. It shows them that other people care or at least they recognize the problems or issues. The works are “down to earth” and the decisions made and outcomes that occur are probable in the world.

Major players in Realism were Honoré de Balzac, and Gustave Flaubert. Balzac attempted to “draw” a picture for the reader by using a lot of description and by trying to make the reader feel like they are inside the words and sentences of the book. He also tried to keep the characters in his books, like everyday people. Flaubert tried to keep his works realistic. Both men took events from the everyday, normal, lives of regular people. Although they did elaborate and may have strayed a little too close to Romanticism due to the extravagant and dramatic occurrences, they still mentioned things that happen in real life.

Émile Zola was also a big player. He actually promoted Naturalism when it first came about. He still followed along the same lines as the other men concerning content however, tried to incorporate the description into the actions of the characters instead of wasting time and appearing boring like Balzac.

Although there are many similarities between Realism and Naturalism, there are also big differences. Naturalists go further into the “everyday” aspect of the characters and actions by being very frank concerning sexuality and humans in general.

My own views on Realism and Naturalism are made up of mixed feelings. I enjoy a good Realistic and Naturalistic book every now and then because they do show what is really happening in the world and their plots and characters appear to be as if they are real people. Some of these books are a nice reminder of reality. I believe that the movement is a good thing because it opens some people’s eyes to other people’s lives. However, I personally am a “hopeless romantic” and I prefer to read the Romanticism novels with the “happily ever after” and “once upon a time” themes to them more often than the Realistic ones. Reality is what most of us live in…sometimes it’s nice to escape.