Rilla Montgomery's Use Of Heroism

A hero is perceived as an individual who possesses attributes such as courage, leadership and nobility. Men who lost their lives on the battlefront during The First World War are often considered to be ‘heroes’ through their sacrifice to grant freedom for their country. On the contrary, history has swept aside women's accounts of war (Rodier 3) and literature does not adequately portray the participation of women (Coates 86). Often, the essential role of women during the war is not accounted. In L.M. Montgomery’s Rilla of Ingleside, the character of Rilla Blythe challenges the traditional view of the role of women in the war. Through her motivation to take on responsibility for war efforts for her country and her display of courage, Rilla is able to demonstrate heroism.

For example, Rilla does not care activities such as knitting, household chores and detests children. Rather, as she matures, Rilla is passionate about war involvement and she organizes a Junior Red-Cross effort in her community. This is evident when Rilla proclaims that “[she] wants to do something. [She’s] only a girl – [she] cant do anything to win the war – but [she] must do something to help at home” (52). Through organizing the Junior Red Cross, Rilla hopes that she can raise funds in order to support the troops since she cannot physically be present on the battlefront to provide aid. Through this effort, Rilla demonstrates that she is “determined to be a heroine” (76) and her motivation to take this responsibility makes her