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Heroism in Literature
Literature with heroic characters presents heroism along the main characters to establish and develop the plot. However, there are certain values that the heroic characters must present to earn the heroic status (Christ 3). These characters must portray heroic prowess that is presented in the heroic orientation of the literature (Christ 4). This is in line with the intention of presenting a prideful advancement of the main characters as the heroes in every tale. This paper seeks to assess the features of heroism and in particular, tragic heroes in literature. To achieve this analysis, the paper evaluates tragic heroism feature of characters in the novel “A lesson before death” and in comparison with other novels.
Heroism in “A lesson before death”
In the novel, Grant describes a hero as a person who does something that other people cannot do, or do not want to attempt to do (Gaines 191).according to Gaines (191), Grant explains to Jefferson that a hero does what others cannot do and takes courage to do what is risky. This definition is not different from the universal idea of a hero. A hero can is a literary title for a person with extraordinary works that accord him honor to the community. This person is perceived to have done great things for other human beings in the community.
Tragic heroes are characters who die tragically after courageous acts that are not common to average human perception. In the novels under review, the central characters in the stories appear to be taking on their own description of the heroes. Out of the character of Grant and Jefferson presents a silent description of a hero. According to the story, Jefferson character is presented as a strong and violent person, evidenced by the murder of Mr. Grope. However, he attains the elements of a heroic character when he decides to embrace change while in prison. Unlike other prisoners, Jefferson is presented as an average human being who portrayed actions of beyond average change at the prison, before his execution, as the deputy Paul notes.
In the novel, the concept of heroism is based on the actions and behavior of Jefferson and Grant while he is in prison and not the actions Jefferson does as per the conventional features of a main character hero. Jefferson is illustrated as a physically strong person who is constantly emphasized by descriptions of Grant’s journey to visit him at the prison before his execution. His recovery from the behavior that landed him to prison takes actions that portray a change of behavior. This particularly started when he asked Grant that he wished t eat some ice-cream, an event that became the turning point of his life in prison (Gaines, 190).
Jefferson is presented as a true hero since he changes the character and is influenced by Grant and Reverend Ambrose. Unlike Grant, Jefferson decides to learn more from the Reverend, which influences his thoughts and behavior. Throughout their friendship, Jefferson and Grant develop their heroic character in a limited scope due to the prison environment. Jefferson for instance develops a different character and portrays his own heroic qualities by correcting his mistakes during the stay at the prison. It is due to the change that Deputy Paul Bonin explains to Grant that Jefferson had become one of the strongest men in the room, during his execution, which tragically ends his life (Gaines 201).
Other Heroes and Tragic Heroes
Heroes are qualified by their courage and bravery to tackle things that other average human beings do not dare to (Christ 3). In the novel, “A Lesson before Dying,” Jefferson takes action to change behavior while Grant decides to live free from oppression as one of the few educated blacks. These were acts of courage because few people in the society or in prison were known of taking such positions. This is what is seen in the character Behrman, in the novel story “The Last Leaf,” as he takes actions to never quit. He seems to be a defeated character as he barely makes any income as an artist. However, he takes actions similar to those taken by Grant and Jefferson, to continue to live on, until he tragically dies of Pneumonia.
The tragic death of Behrman concludes his life as a tragic hero who was led by life bravery. Bravery is portrayed by all the three characters but Behrman is portrayed as the bravest of all of them. In addition, he portrays more conspicuous character of tragic hero as he dies from his own passion to work. In literature, a tragic hero is depicted when a person does the best to live better and eventually dies from his efforts to live, just like Behrman died from a disease caused by his commitment to painting.
A hero is a loyal person who undertakes all his or her adventures to defend his life, or his allegiance to the land or occupation (Christ 5). In the novel “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian,” the grandmother is committed to a good life, never takes alcohol. However, she ironically dies despite being a person intending to live life to the fullest. In the novel “Divergent,” Tris’ mother, Natalie shows her support despite the factions that Tris takes. This shows her commitment to her daughter, an element of loyalty that defines her as a hero. However, the character in the novel that shows tragic hero is Tris’ Father, Andrew. Despite being angry that Tris did not chose his faction, he fights for them and he tragically dies from a gunshot from a guard. In terms of loyalty, the three characters are loyal to their family, showing their heroic nature.
Conclusion
In literature, a hero is defined by his or her actions and behavior that goes beyond what any other character is ready or able to do. In the novel “A Lesson before Dying,” Jefferson shows heroism in his own way by changing behavior in prison, despite the death penalty. His death introduces tragedy that leads to a conclusion of a tragic hero. In relation to their character in other works of literature, tragic heroes face death while pursuing their ideals and actions that define their belief. Like Jefferson, the Old Behrman and Grandma die while pursuing their course of good life. In a case of a tragic hero, Tris’ father dies in a fight for his faction. These characters present heroes as people that were able and ready to protect what they cherish or what the society values. They become examples of men and women who give the society their best and leave a lesson to learn from.
Works Cited
Christ, Henry. Heroes and Villains in American Literature. U.S. New York, Amsco School
Publications Incorporated, 1996. Print
Gaines, Ernest. “A Lesson Before Dying.” United States: Knopf Publishing Group, 1993. Print