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Stereotypes in characters
Stereotypes in characters
Introduction of anti hero
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After reading through multiple sources discussing the meaning of the term anti-hero, it is clear that the term anti-hero seems to encompass a spectrum of behaviors and character types. There are the good boy anti-heroes, there are the psychopathic anti-heroes, and everything in between. In attempting to discover the meaning of the term anti-hero, I have discovered the following. On the bad boy end of the spectrum, exists the research of Crysel and his colleagues. For them, the anti-hero can be broken up into three different categories: the narcissist, the psychopath, and the machiavellian man. Each of these is actually a form of mental illness when taken beyond a certain point. For each of these sub-categories of the anti-hero, the study
An anti-hero has the role of a hero thrust upon them. They do not particularly want to be brave or noble but their actions lead them to be a hero. Facing difficult decisions and doubt are also classic traits of an anti-hero. They often lack confidence in themselves, refuse to accept their fate as a hero or don't even realise their status or ability. At a certain point, anti-heroes usually transcend into either a tragic or romantic hero. Anti-heroes can be identified in many different texts, however, all of them consist of those traits.
... is not simply defined by his/her strength or looks; it is also their inner strength and beauty that is truly important. A hero can have many qualities but when they show true understanding for something even without proper education, they are accepting of those around them, and breaking rules when the time is at its most important. While there are true heroes, there are also anti-heroes which have the opposite qualities that of the true hero. Furthermore, there are many kinds of heroes but a true hero is defined by inner qualities that of outer qualities.
The Psychopath Test: A Journey Through the Madness Industry is a book by Jon Ronson, where he investigates the idea of psychopathy and the many individuals involved. Psychopathy is defined as “a person who is mentally ill, who does not care about other people, and who is usually dangerous or violent.” Ronson visited mental health professionals and psychopaths in order to determine the right way to control the diagnosis of mental health disorders. Throughout the novel, Ronson focuses on three main themes, which are the definition of madness, unnecessary mental diagnoses and the problem with confirmation bias.
When asking people about what characteristics they think of when they think of a hero the most common answers would be doing good deeds and not allowing evil to flourish. This is what we have been made to believe. One of the first images that come to mind when the word hero is mentioned is a superhero. An image of Batman or Superman is likely, one who is good natured and conquers evil as it appears. Just doing good deeds or not committing evil sins is not enough. First you would have to distinguish the difference between an evil and a good action. The line between good and evil is so thin that specific attributes and certain actions are constantly being exchanged back and forth. We cannot decide as a society what is good and what is evil. A modern day example would be when the United States made the decision to bomb Japan during World War II. For Americans celebration ensued as it was thought to be a decisive moment of victory. Those who were involved in t...
Fifty years ago, a person breaking the law would either be called crazy or a criminal. Today, the mental health community has much more specific diagnoses. However, the explanation of certain behaviors may be difficult because there is much overlap among mental conditions. In Bret Easton Ellis’ American Psycho, the protagonist, Patrick Bateman, is apparently simply a psychopath. However, Bateman can be diagnosed with other mental illnesses such as Asperger’s syndrome, obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, narcissism, and antisocial personality disorder. In both the book and film adaptation, Bateman’s actions can be understood more accurately when analyzed in light of modern psychology.
The antihero is the leading character in a film or book that lacks traditional heroic qualities such as courage, nobility and moral goodness. This character is becoming more and more popular in todays culture and is showing up in many more shows and movies. One show that was very successful and popular was Breaking Bad, a show about a science professor who was very mild mannered, who transforms into a meth cook who will do anything to stay on top. Almost everything he does in the show is morally wrong and usually illegal, but in a twisted way Walter is doing some good from this. The character of Walter White is a popular antihero who walks the fine line between antihero and being a villain, and shows us how society
A hero can be defined by, Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary, as a character that exhibits courage and sacrifice for the greater good. Antigone can distinctly be identified as the hero in the story because
A hero is a man who is distinguished by exceptional courage, nobility. and strength to carry out tasks that involve great risks. A hero can also be a person who fights for other people to help or save them. from their fears and fears. He opposes the villain - a person who does wicked or intentionally harm others in some way, emotionally or otherwise.
To the world today, a hero is someone distinguished by exceptional courage, nobility, or strength; but really, anyone can be a hero. A hero can vary from someone as well-known as George Washington to someone as unheard of as anyone’s very own mother. Someone who has done a good deed for someone else is hero. The biggest heroes are the ones in well-known books and plays, such as Odysseus from The Odyssey, or have made a huge difference in the history of this world, like Mahatma Gandhi. Siddhartha Gautama is a hero, but not in the same way Odysseus or Gandhi are. Although these three influential people went through different journeys in order to accomplish different things, they are all heroes in their own way and have been through the same cycle of the road of trials and crisis/salvation.
It is anything repeated in storytelling from ancient times to the present. “Some researchers have put efforts towards elaborating symbolic meanings on modern movies according to Jung’s theory” (Hauke and Alister 2001). Jung discovered many types of archetypes such as the hero, shadow figure, animal, mentor (old man), and mother. These characters can have a positive or a negative effect in the films myth. Mythologist Joseph Campbell was able to extend Jung’s concept of the hero archetype into the Hero Myth which is “a common structure in all mythical hero stories in different cultures and religion” (Chang 101). “They show who the hero is, what the hero needs, and how the story and character interact in order to create transformation” (Seger 335). The hero starts off as an average person living a normal life, but once something changes in the hero’s life, he begins his journey and becomes a changed man by the end of the story. “Out of the interaction between warrior and institution development the particular American archetype of the anti-hero, the character who rejects social codes in favor of his own” (House 67). Almost every film created has a good guy, and a bad guy which is the anti-hero archetype character who is the opposite of the hero due to them having a different view on the conflict that takes place in the film. Another version of the hero archetype is the heart of gold archetype which are heroes with a little more darkness than normal heroes. George Lucas was one of the first film makers to be inspired by Campbell’s work, and credited him for the making of Star Wars using many of his archetype
The term “Hero” has been used and advertised in films since before cinema even existed. Though the definition of a hero varies widely depending on the subject, most heroes are often praised for their bravery, strength, intelligence, and their will to stand up to evil and corruption.
A great hero is often classified as such due to their outstanding ability to defeat opposition against all odds. The opposition may be a physical barrier, such as a barren desert they must cross; an emotional struggle, such as a mental illness or suffocating grief; or an antagonist who seeks to foil the hero’s plans at every stage. An antagonist, or villain, can add much depth and intrigue to a story, particularly through the reasoning behind their actions. Many villains are full of dark secrets and ulterior motives. The more formidable the enemy that a writer creates, the more heroic the protagonist becomes. The concept of heroes and villains is not always so clear cut, though. Sometimes a hero must use unjust means to accomplish their goals, or the villain may just be a misguided, tortured soul who deserves pity. In the case of Edgar Allan Poe’s The Black Cat, the protagonist, the story’s narrator, slowly forms into the villain of the tale. Poe’s story is unconventional in that it only contains the villain and his victims, lacking any substantial heroic figure. The reader is left with no one to root for and no surety that justice will prevail. The Black Cat is a dark story with a villain menacing enough to rival even the greatest of antagonists.
What is a hero? What is a villain? Although definitions vary within our global society, it is generally accepted that a hero is selfless, humble, and moral and has integrity, while a villain is corrupt or evil, incapable of feeling guilt or compassion and is guilty of committing heinous crimes. However, it should be noted that the labels of ‘hero’ and ‘villain’ are subjective, and that, in the words of Sirius Black (the falsely incriminated godfather of the titular hero of the Harry Potter series) “… the world isn’t split into good people and [villains]. We’ve all got light and dark inside of us…” (Yates, 2007)
When I think of a hero I immediately think of someone who is strong, intelligent, handsome, and daring. Upon closer examination, many different qualities than these become apparent. Courage, honesty, bravery, selflessness, and the will to try are just a few of the overlooked qualities of a hero. The definition of heroism changes with the context and time. Heroes of the past are not necessarily heroes of present time and vise versa.
The anti-hero is useless at being a hero when they should be one or have the opportunity to be one. Typically an ordinary, timid, selfish, anti-social, inept, cautious, passive, pessimistic person, they still manage to gain the sympathy of the reader. Usually unglamorous, many wallow in self-pity which only worsens their state of mind. Anti-heros rarely succeed at any goal set before them. Summed up in two words - failed heros. T. S. Elliot's “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” is a fantastic example of the modern anti-hero. A glimpse into the stream of consciousness of Prufrock reveals his secret struggles to handle a world he has no control over. Prufrock displays numerous characteristics of an anti-hero but three stand out the most: cowardice, passiveness, and pessimism.